But I’ve now swam a mile 2 days in a row. And my time decreased by a few minutes the second day, without cramping. Man is it a good workout! It can get a little boring, but I noticed that if I think about something other than my strokes and breathing, it goes by a lot faster.

Last night, around lap 17 I started thinking about what I would make if I decide to audition for Masterchef and before I knew it I was on lap 22. Yes, I am actually considering auditioning for Masterchef. If I make it past the first audition, you can bet I’ll be ramping up my dinner parties and you are all invited. :) I know there are many techniques I need to practice and still some basics I need to master. It’s an exciting thought!

As you might recall from my posts in February, my knees have steadily voiced their dissatisfaction at my outdoor running/speed walking routine. I have what’s called bilateral patellar chondromalacia, or irritation of the undersurface of the kneecaps. It causes pain, swelling, and sometimes makes bending my knees painfully uncomfortable. It affects otherwise healthy individuals and I’ve had it my whole life. My knees make a grinding sound when they are bent, regardless of if I’m standing, walking, climbing, sitting, etc. Just the extension of the leg causes the rub. So, yeah, I’ve had to deal with it for a while.

I’ve done physical therapy, altered my workouts, and am currently doing some acupuncture, but my cardio exercise is severely lacking. My doctors have always suggested cycling, but there is something about cycling that makes me quickly run out of breath and pretty much hyperventilate, even though I can jog a few miles with no problem. The other suggestion has been swimming, which I used to do when I was a kid and I’ve always felt like I was “built” for it with pretty broad shoulders and strong upper arms. I just haven’t had a place where I can swim without purchasing a membership.

Well, recently I discovered my work has a program where I can use a nearby pool between the hours of 5-6 M-F! So I started swimming laps last week and I’m loving it. It took a few days to get back in the groove, but having not swam (swum?) for about 15 years, I’d say I’ve picked it back up pretty quickly. I’m doing an average of 20 laps in 30 minutes, about 1000 meters. Nothing to brag about, but surely more than I thought I’d be doing. I just need a way to keep motivated…I’m hoping I’ll begin to see some results so I can use that as motivation. Surely something good must be happening!!

So I had my second visit to the acupuncturist last Thursday and he was definitely more aggressive. Still no needles to the face yet, but I think that’s coming this week. I did leave with three tiny needles in my ear which I wore for 3 days (see http://www.buyamag.com/graphics/ear_seeds1.jpg) that targeted three distinct areas of my body. One was supposed to help calm my mind, and I can honestly say I think they were working. I felt a strong sense of calmness after about the 2nd day and it has carried over through the weekend.

As far as the therapy focused on my knee, the swelling has gone down, but the day of the acupuncture and the day after, I had a new pain in the back of my knee. That, however, has gone away since then, but it was something I had not felt before. Maybe it was pain leaving my knee?! Anyway, I have two more sessions this week and have high hopes. Although, I know needles to the face are coming soon and that makes me a little anxious!

Yesterday I had the first of a series of acupuncture sessions and the jury is still out, but I have faith. He said he was starting slow or he could make it worse before it gets better. First off, no, it didn’t hurt. It felt like he was barely tapping on my skin when he was inserting the needles. After a few minutes, some of the areas started to get warm. In the most tense area, I could feel my muscles twitching around the needle until it eventually relaxed. But there was no pain.

Afterwards I didn’t feel much different, except maybe more relaxed. Then again, I had just laid on a table in a dark room for 45 minutes too. The area of concentration did not feel more relaxed either…in fact, I may have felt a little more sensitivity in that area throughout the rest of the day.

But, I know it is going to take a few sessions, and I’ve heard great things about it so I’ll stick in there. Pun intended. :)