Cookie Monday

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The soreness in my legs is gone, but my arms are still so TIRED from the Metric Century bike race!  My hands are actually kind of numb and tingly from gripping the handlebars.  I reached for a container of yogurt earlier and I guess I thought it was gripping it harder than I actually was!

CIMG6125

Oops! There was yogurt EVERYWHERE!

 

My hunger levels were higher than normal today, too.  I just wanted CARBS all day — guess the 2,400 calories I burned yesterday snuck up on me!

 

Cereal:

CIMG6130

Yogurt and granola:

CIMG6127

Cantaloupe:

CIMG6131

At work, I decided to treat myself to one of the glorious cookies (and a hot tea).  So good!  Totally worth the one week wait (I turned down the cookie last week).  Mmmm!

CIMG6132

And dinner was a salad with cucumber and falafel balls (from a mix).

CIMG6133

Simple, but good!

 

I start Physical Therapy tomorrow – so excited.  I just want to learn everything I can (and share it with YOU). 

 

Have you ever gone to PT?  For what?  Did it help?

{ 54 comments }

 

  • Hayley June 15, 2009, 6:27 pm

    Hey,yes I have gone to physical therapy for my IT band,and the back of my knee where I had a cyst removed. They did ultra sound and electrode ibuprofen treatments, and she taught my lots of stretches and exercises to strengthen my left leg. I am a runner and thought I was stretching good, but there is always more to learn. Good luck with it, I am sure it will help!

  • Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) June 15, 2009, 6:37 pm

    I pretty much grew up in PT! Been going for the past 6 years thanks to gymnastics. The latest has been for back injuries…joy! I got electric shock therapy once…now THAT was a good time…EEK! Kidding. Hopefully your experience will not include EST. =) Hope it goes well!

  • Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) June 15, 2009, 6:37 pm

    I pretty much grew up in PT! Been going for the past 6 years thanks to gymnastics. The latest has been for back injuries…joy! I got electric shock therapy once…now THAT was a good time…EEK! Kidding. Hopefully your experience will not include EST. =) Hope it goes well!

  • runnerskitchen June 15, 2009, 6:37 pm

    I went to about 7 sessions of ART (active release therapy) back in March. It's a very interesting process – my treatments were performed by a chiropractor. Now I'm going for regular PT and hoping it works. Good luck with your appt tomorrow!

  • runsarah June 15, 2009, 6:37 pm

    The cookie looks so good – perfect with a hot tea on a Monday.

  • Coco June 15, 2009, 6:38 pm

    Physical Therapy saved my knee!! I tore my ACL and had to have surgery on it. If it wasn't for PT my knee would be super stiff and I wouldn't be able to ski at the level I was at before I tore it. You just have to make sure you stick with it and do exactly as they say. Good luck!!

  • Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) June 15, 2009, 6:39 pm

    I've been to physical therapy for the same shoulder problem for YEARS! I've had three shoulder surgeries (on the same shoulder, same problem), so I've had my fair share of rehab. I don't want to say it didn't work, because it was quite helpful, but the physical therapy was never enough on it's own for me- hence why I needed those three surgeries.

    It's been 2 years or so since I've been and I kind of want to go back. My shoulder has started to act up again when running, and I can't run for longer than 3 miles without pain! Yikes.

    Good luck! The sessions I had were always so informative and I am sure you will get lots of help 🙂

  • Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) June 15, 2009, 6:39 pm

    Oh, and sometimes I got to have massages and different types of electric therapy. It was cool!

  • Mrs. LC June 15, 2009, 6:40 pm

    Hooray for PT! 🙂 Can't wait to hear how it goes tomorrow.

    haha and I had to laugh about the yogurt – I've done the exact same thing myself. Happens to the best of us. 🙂

  • The Shabby Princess June 15, 2009, 6:40 pm

    I can't remember if I've commented on your blog before, but, anyways, I love it!

    I had to go to PT when I was in high school and I broke my ankle. It really helped a lot and helped me to get back on track much quicker. Plus, it was kind of fun!

    Hope yours goes great!

  • ledewoman June 15, 2009, 6:42 pm

    I have done physical therapy twice in the past, both times for knee pain. I think there is some merit to it, but it rather failed for me because we weren't dealing with the root cause of the injury (my hips!) and I was also being a TERRIBLE injured runner and just running too much through recovery. Chatting with the therapists was usually fun, but my $40 copay was not!

  • Lauren June 15, 2009, 6:42 pm

    Caitlin I am so proud of you! You are truly amazing for accomplishing such a tremendous goal, even through your injuries. Truly commendable girl!

    I wanted to ask you about the time when you first noticed that there was something wrong with your knees. I have been running now for a little over a year and currently training for my 1st 1/2 marathon this fall, right now I am running 30-35 miles a week. I've started to notice slight pain in my right knee. Nothing too signifciant, but it was caught my attention and I want to be sure I am being COMPLETELY smart about avioding any injuries.

    Thanks for your input and again, CONGRATS on an amazing race!

  • Joelle (Chasing Pavements) June 15, 2009, 6:44 pm

    I've been twice- once for a stress fracture on my hip, and another time for an annoying bout of achilles tendonitis. The latter time for my achilles I felt was rather useless, but the PT for my stress fracture was amazing. It worked wonders- I was up and running faster than I'd expected. Good luck!:)

  • Dori June 15, 2009, 6:45 pm

    I am in my 5th time of PT. It is going great because the therapist is so knowledgable. I'm excited to hear about yours!

  • peanutbutterandjuli June 15, 2009, 6:46 pm

    Congrats on your metric century girl!

    I went to PT twice- first for LPCS (lateral patellar compression syndrome)- which was when my hammies were so strong they would pull my kneecaps tot he side- sounds like yours. PT helped so much. The second was for ITBS (T-band syntrome)- helped again. I LOVE PT it works miracles- just be patient 🙂

  • havefaith4ever June 15, 2009, 6:49 pm

    Yep, went to therapy for my knees. I learned so much and it helped immensely 🙂
    That cookie looks super yummy!
    <3 jess
    xoxo

  • Matt June 15, 2009, 6:50 pm

    I went to PT when I banged up my Achilles tendon. I learned not to run a 10k PR (36:16) and then run 20 miles the day. Live and learn right? I could barely walk for a week, but once I got to PT it made all the difference. They healed me up pretty quick!

    Good luck tomorrow!

  • teacherwoman June 15, 2009, 6:55 pm

    To funny about the yogurt! You're stronger than you thought!

    I have gone to PT. Only a couple of times. He showed me a handful of great exercises to strengthen some of my weaker muscles, thus helping my knee. I was glad I did it!

  • Megan June 15, 2009, 6:57 pm

    Hey –

    I don't post often (mostly a lurker) but this stuck home so I figured I'd put in my two cents.
    I just finished up 3 months of physical for my ankle which I broke this winter (It was horrible and I was getting ready to do the disney princess 1/2 marathon at the time)
    BUT, on the positive, my physical therapists were amazing! They had an underwater treadmill, which I highly recommend if they have any in your area! But thanks so them (and a great surgeon) I have rehabbed incredibly fast, and am already back up to running 5 miles for my long run.
    I think that the physical therapy will be great for you! and just do all the exercises they give you as often as they tell you too!

  • Bec June 15, 2009, 7:07 pm

    that cookie does look fantastic!

  • Holly June 15, 2009, 7:10 pm

    I've had a LOT of PT. Both times after my knee surgeries, and it was amazing how much it helped. Then I also went back to the same PT when I had some piriformis problems and they fixed that right up too! Yay!

  • Julie June 15, 2009, 7:14 pm

    my yogurt always explodes when i open it! haha

    I've gone to PT .. a lot. We were like BFF's I tore my ACL in both knees different times and after surgery required 6 months PT each time .. I loved it though! I haven't had problems since. I hope you get the "stim" I don't know the right word .. they hook up wires and it is like a tingly feeling. It helps with the swelling but feels so good! Hope your first fay goes well 🙂

    http://strivingforbalance.wordpress.com/

  • Lisa D. June 15, 2009, 7:17 pm

    PT saved my knee! Or I should say is still in the process of saving it. post acl-meniscus surgery I went to PT 2x per week for about 8 weeks. Now i go once every 2 weeks. I couldnt even walk on crutches when I started and now I'm almost back to normal. I love my PT(physical therapist) and love that I keep getting stronger! Good luck tomorrow

  • Kayla June 15, 2009, 7:22 pm

    I went to PT a couple years ago. I have this lovely condition I can't spell or pronounce where my hips and ankles turn out but my knee turns in and it pulls the tnedons in my knee funny. So I had to try PT for a while to try to work the tendons back. I think it helped a little, just learning lots of strength and stretching moves for my knee.
    Good luck!

  • hopskipleap June 15, 2009, 7:30 pm

    luckily, I've never had to do PT, but I hear it can be a really great thing. They can help a ton with strengthening muscles that you otherwise might not have known how to strengthen.

    Good luck with that!

    Keri
    http://hopskipleap.wordpress.com

  • Sheri June 15, 2009, 7:37 pm

    Yup, I have been to PT. My friend is a therapist and I saw her. She helped me tremendously! I had runners knee and the PT helped me out a ton! I was running again within about 2 weeks.

    I learned a bunch of strengthing exersices and stretches to help with it and I continue to do these to help prevent it from happening again.

  • Low June 15, 2009, 7:40 pm

    Good luck with PT tomorrow!! I can't wait to hear how it goes!

    Also, congrats a MILLION times on the Metric Century, what a huge accomplishment!

  • emily June 15, 2009, 7:46 pm

    I've never been to pt but my husband pinched a nerve in his back this year and pt was a big part of him getting to feel "normal" again.

    Your yogurt story made me giggle 🙂

  • Taylor June 15, 2009, 7:52 pm

    I am actually in my second year of PT school right now so I can't wait to hear what your PT has to say!

  • Priyanka loves food June 15, 2009, 8:00 pm

    The cookie and tea make me wanna have one now!

  • Jennifer @ His N' Her Health June 15, 2009, 8:12 pm

    Never been to PT but your yogurt story happen with me except with a huge thing of dog treats. I had to fight off my dogs while I was cleaning it up! Cookies and tea make Mondays so much better!

  • Christina June 15, 2009, 8:13 pm

    Good luck at the PT. I never been to one but I may have to go see one soon so I'm interested to see how it goes!

  • Tammy (Defining Wellness) June 15, 2009, 8:19 pm

    I have not been to physical therapy, but my orthopedist said that it may benefit me if my orthotics don't fix my ankle and shin issues. I can't wait to hear about everything you learn! Have fun!

  • Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now June 15, 2009, 8:24 pm

    I've never had PT but I really hope it works out for you. I really think it will!

  • Leslie June 15, 2009, 8:38 pm

    I've gone for plantar fasciitis, and it helped enormously. I could barely put pressure on my foot and now it's a lot better. The important thing is to keep doing your exercises and stretching after they release you. I tend to backslide and then my foot starts hurting again. You have heard PT stands for Pain & Torture, right? It can be painful but at the end they ice you down and it feels SO good.

  • Mia {runs and rests} June 15, 2009, 10:00 pm

    Hi Caitlin!

    I'm new to running and blogging and I'm glad to have found your blog. Thanks for the 'Tips For Runners' page. I also love your everything in moderation view on food.

    Good luck with the PT and congrats on your Metric Century! Wow!

  • Kailey (SnackFace) June 15, 2009, 10:37 pm

    Ahhh! Caitlin, I'm so sorry I'm behind! I just caught up on your race and am probably the millionth person to say this, but you're truly amazing. I am just in awe.

    I've never gone through PT. I hope I can avoid that, but then again it's impossible. I just went to the chiropractor a ton in high school when I was dancing and cheerleading. My neck and back were a mess!

    Good luck tomorrow and have fun (if that's possible there, which you could totally make it that way)!

  • Nhuy June 15, 2009, 10:42 pm

    That cantaloupe looks really sweet, almost looks like a mango! And the yogurt spill.. I have also done that..:(

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 16, 2009, 3:18 am

    oooo yay i am so glad everyone had such good experiences with PT!!! i promise to do all my PT homework LOL.

    lauren – i first noticed the "popping" in my knees in january 2008 (two years after i started to run, approx). i was doing squats at the gym. i asked a trainer what it was and he said it was no big deal LOL i should've know better than to ask some LA fitness meathead! anyway, it got really bad this past september but i continued to run through the sometimes excruiating pain. i ran two halfs with these shitty knees!! my advice to you is that if you feel any sort of discomfort, take a few days off and see if it helps. then, make sure you assess your stretching routinue, your sneakers (should be replaced every 4 months or so), and if it's neither of those things, consider seeing a doctor if it doesn't improve with rest. it's a LOT easier to nip a problem in the bud than recoop from an injury. i know it sounds lame, but its true.

  • Stacey June 16, 2009, 3:28 am

    I've gone to physical therapy several times for my back. (Basically everyone on my moms side of the family has scoliosis)

    The first place I went to didn't help at all, but the second place did acupuncture, massages and shock treatment and I always felt better afterward!

    So I hope that you get a good physical therapist!!

    I was in a carb mood yesterday hehe.

  • Stacey June 16, 2009, 3:28 am

    Do you have gloves for your bike?

    Jason (boyfriend) says they make all the difference!

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 16, 2009, 3:31 am

    stacey yes i do but i think i was griping the bars at the wrong angle?? UH!

  • Selena Horner June 16, 2009, 3:43 am

    Physical therapy can be quite helpful for you. Often times, in female runners, the main issue causing symptoms happens to be the movement patterns used during running. There is probably a high likelihood the hip musculature is not keeping the lower leg alignment in a position that is good for the knee.

    If I were you, I would choose a physical therapist who specializes in sports physical therapy or orthopedics. In other words, when you search for a physical therapist, you will probably be more satisfied with a physical therapist who has additional qualifications such as board certification in sports or board certification in orthopaedics or a physical therapist who is also a certified athletic trainer.

    You can search here:
    http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_PT&Template=/APTAAPPS/FindAPT/findaptsearch.cfm

    When you search, you may find physical therapists with all sorts of letters behind their names. This PDF will be helpful in clarifying the letters:
    http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Choosing_a_PT&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=44754

    Happy running!

  • Red Head, Yellow Dog June 16, 2009, 5:31 am

    I'm in PT right now for my hip. It started off as a knee pain and I went to one PT who totally brushed me off and acted like it was no big deal. I did his exercises and I just was NOT getting better!! I was aching to run! So I went and found a different ortho and a different PT who figured out it was my HIP not my knee! I have been in chronic pain for the past 3 months (without running and for the past month without any exercise) and after 2 sessions with my new PT my leg feels SOOO much better! Yesterday I went on the elliptical and the bike with NO PAIN! I could cry I'm so happy! My biggest advice, if you don't like your PT or feel like they aren't taking you seriously, find another one! it's so worth it.

  • Amanda June 16, 2009, 6:38 am

    My PT experience is a little embarassing because I broke my PINKY FINGER in high school playing powder puff football. I had to have surgery and had 3 pins put into my finger. I went to PT to rehab my finger and it reaaallly helped. I remember crying and being so frustrated that I couldn't do my assigned "exercises" at first. If you put the time in though, it will pay off!!

  • Brandi June 16, 2009, 7:08 am

    I hope the PT goes well today! I'm sure it will be great. I've never had to have it, but I know a lot of people that have had great experiences, so I think it will be good.

    and boo to the yogurt – I hate when I do that kind of stuff. it happens a lot to me 🙂

  • Kelly June 16, 2009, 7:10 am

    I love falafel so much. Had seom yesterday. 🙂

    Your yogurt picture cracked me up. You're a lot stronger than you thought!

    Good luck on the PT. I've never been, knock on wood.

  • Anonymous June 16, 2009, 7:12 am

    it probably doesn't matter much in the end, but 40 calories/mile is a high estimate for your cycling expenditure. at 13 mph, it's probably more like 27 or 28/mile.
    http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/2007/09/running-vs-cycling-burning-calories.html

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 16, 2009, 7:14 am

    amon – hmm interesting. i was basing my estimate on my friend's kelly's garmin. she weighs the same as me and says that 40 cal/mile is her average.

  • Fitzalan June 16, 2009, 7:23 am

    I have been to physical therapy way too many times!

    The first time I went was for bursitis in my knee. I loved the place I went to. It was the Virginia Tech University physical therapy office and it was backed with athletes. I look forward to physical therapy! And they got me back running in about 2-3 months.

    The second time was after tearing my MCL and doing meniscus damage. I was in physical therapy for 21 months. I ended up going to 3 different places until I finally found some where that I liked. The final place I loved. They were great and really really pushed me, which is what got me finally back to the point where I could truly run again.

    PT can actually be an enjoyable experience if you like the place and the people working with you.

    Happiness Awaits

  • Carolina John June 16, 2009, 7:41 am

    haha, lol on the yougurt. my first tri i didn't wear bike gloves and it killed my hands. didn't have the callouses then.

  • Johanna B June 16, 2009, 7:50 am

    I just spent some time catching up on your posts from the weekend. I loved the report on your ride. Eye drops are wonderful.

    I've done PT a few times for lower back pain. It helps a lot. I love the hot packs and the ultrasound. I hope yours works as well.

  • eatingRD June 16, 2009, 9:35 am

    mmm . . . carbs! I have done PT before for my upper hammie, right in the butt and also my Achilles tendon. Most of it was done on pilates reformers and it was amazing and helped out tremendously. Now if only I could get my crappy insurance now to pay for pilates . . . (sigh). Glad you're doing good!
    -kristen

  • heyitstay June 16, 2009, 10:37 am

    Yup, I've been to PT for my calf injury last summer. I don't think it really helped much – they never could pinpoint exactly what was wrong with my calf! But I'll be going again soon for my knee. I hope it works out better this time!

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