Running mind game

The soonest I can get into P.T. is January 8th. Frustrating reality as a cog in the massive wheel of the bureacratic machine known to the world as the dreaded HMO.

My wife is a speech therapist and has good references for physical therapists in her hospital system. I had an appointment all lined up for yesterday.

I subsequently was forced to cancel said appointment due to my insurance carrier forcing me into a larger healthcare system. Drat. And larger healthcare system apparently requires 3 week lead time for appt's!

I realize that my condition is not exactly life threatening. I need to keep things in perspective. But when it comes to strecthing and healing this running ailment, I need to be to told what to do. It's an interesting predictament for me. I am so damn independent in all other facets of my life. Not when I need to massage and stretch my pain away!

Tuesday, I went out for a 4-miler. The pain set in on the last mile. I ran high 7's pace. I feel no pain at all after I am done.

Yesterday, I rested.

This morning, I went out for an easy 4-miler again. Nothing special. Tenderness set in again. That slow, steady faint aching that gradually afflicts the left knee. It's a mind game nowadays. "It's all in your head," I tell myself. "How tough are you?" is a follow up question. 4 miles around the 8 min pace mark.

These runs are easy enough to get through. But what happens when I try to go another 13 like 11 days ago?? I am trying to stretch before and after, but I know I am not doing enough.

13 miles WTD - with hopes of a 5 recovery tomorrow and at least 8 on Sat.

Countdown to Boston Marathon - 115 days