Update

A few weeks ago my knees started to just hurt. No sharp pain, but just plain numb. My toes even got numb. My knees have always hurt--ever since I can remember. Even in high school after basketball games I was in pain. Not intense pain, just an aching.

So when I started to walk on the treadmill a few weeks back (in my brand new shoes) my knees went numb. My feet hurt. I got off the treadmill, stretched and headed home. I continued to swim as that felt good but no biking or running since.

It has now been 1 1/2 weeks and I continue to have knee discomfort (even when sitting still). So I went to my chiropractor who specializes in muscle issues (as opposed to a chiro that just cracks you). After observation of my gait and testing my muscle strength he came to the quick conclusion I have terrible knees. My knees point in when my toes are forward but when my knees point forward, my feet want to go out. I have walked "weird" like that forever, but now this weird position is causing me pain.

He found that my over quad muscles were strong but not my inner quad. He said because that is weak, my outer quad is pulling my knee out, causing my feet to hurt as well. I left there with exercises and told to take my shoes back (get ones with less support actually).

So, I have been swimming 3 times a week and really enjoying it. I average 800-1000 m and feel pretty good with that. But I am now re-evaluating this race idea. My doctor wants me to come back twice a week to build up these muscles and continue in therapy until I am 100%. He feels I can get back to training and wants me back on the bike next week (in small doses). We shall see. I love having a goal and really want to do this event but I don't want to hurt.

Hmph......