new plan, running

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
new plan, running
9
Sat, 12-23-2006 - 8:05pm

OK, so I am thinking that meds aren't working and group activities aren't working and Mike MAJORLY needs sensory input in a huge way daily. So my new thought is to get him training to run with me.

He doesn't want to do competitive. I think he just doesn't get the idea of it yet. But I figure he will do it for the autism walk in June we have here. Autism he understands and he likes to help people so we would be running to raise money.

Now I just gotta get my knee fixed so I can do this....

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
In reply to: rbear4
Sat, 12-23-2006 - 9:12pm

Renee dear,

It might make sense for you to be HIS trainer and bike alongside him while he trains to be the runner, or at least you do cross training, run a day, bike a day while he runs. I say this only from concern, because if you have to get the knee fixed, then running is SO not a good idea.... Biking would be fine, you wouldn't get winded or HURT, and you really could go every day, which again would not be such a hot idea if running and you have a rough-ish knee....

Maybe you could have this be about HIM running autism walk, maybe also you might look into road runner clubs, etc. 'cuz they might have kid event and even trainings, once he gets into the regular rythmn of running.

I have also thought about doing this for Malcolm, because the regular sensory input of running would be SO good for his nervous system, and now that he has OT through home services, like, 5 hours a week, we REALLY see the difference, WOW!

yours,

Sara

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Sat, 12-23-2006 - 11:14pm

Well the weird thing is I have noticed when I play basketball with the kids the knee starts to feel somewhat better. Walking and standing ROT HUGE! Maybe running won't be so bad. But i SO want to get rid of these excess pounds and I can't seem to do any aerobic stuff with this dang knee! I have been doing weights but it isn't the same.

At anyrate, I am planning on training at the neighborhood middle school track. Then I can just stop and watch him run in a safe place. We can't do streets and I need to be able to be at a good distance. A bike may work for me but don't think they will let me have on at the track.

My doctor was no help. I am trying the stuff she suggested still and with renewed effort with little avail. The next thing she suggested was a steroid shot but really she was almost annoyed that I was there.

So the plan is to look for a new doc, try more exercise and weightloss to help said knee along with joint juice. And at least give it a try.

My knee hurting can't be any worse than his biting his siblings and being completely out of control.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
In reply to: rbear4
Sun, 12-24-2006 - 7:03am

Dear Renee,

The reason your knee feels better after basketball is because of the variety of movement when you are on the basketball court, also basketball is not really continuous movement. Running is the same repetitive movement over and over without a break, and if there is tightness in the knee, voila, swelling and pain.

Did your doctor never prescribe you to go to physical therapy? A good therapist can really help. However, most good recovery people are not going to be thrilled about you running lots. BTW, I am kinda annoyed at the sound of your doctor, maybe you need to see a sports injury doctor?

The best help for knees is to use the leg extension machines at the gym, although you do need a good trainer to show you how to properly use them. You need to do front and back, quads and hamstrings, to exhaustion, 2 - 3 xs a week every week. You need really good, new running shoes and you can wear a slip-on knee bandaid tube when running. But really tightening up the thigh muscles is your best bet.

Another thing you can do is vary your running gaits, esp. on a track, tracks are good BTW, good surface. You can run backwards, sideways, wider stances, y'know, run weird.

Anyways, HTH. Weight loss is best achieved by every day exercise, but when there are knee problems, you gotta mix it up.

Sara

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Sun, 12-24-2006 - 9:55am

Renee,


I saw the subject

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Sun, 12-24-2006 - 10:27am

Sara,

Thanks for the tips! My doc is a nincompoop which is why I am switching. She did tell me to do some exercises to help the muscle on top of the thigh (quads? I forget) but never the other and to take glucosamine. She said bending the knee too much would be worse so I haven't don't anthing for the hamstrings at all. I have been on our weight machine almost every day this week doing the 2 exercises I thought I could do until my knee started to twinge.

Fortuntely we have the universal type machine at home so it makes the exercises you mention easy to do. I also just bought myself new sneakers/running shoes yesterday that feel really great. I have been looking for a pair of shoes that feel good for a few weeks and finally found them I think.

I will get one of those knee brace type things too before I start out and take your advice on changing up my gait. Perhaps even bring a bike to mix it up.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Sun, 12-24-2006 - 10:30am

Well, running away to New York was another thought ;-)

DH running with Mike, yeah right. There will be excuses for that not to happen. He usually is gone all day and not home until long after dark. Then Mike is very difficult to get him to start something new.

It would be a nice idea but DH has never liked running. He likes to bike ride. IF I got DH's bike fixed to his specifications AND he had a bike rack onthe car AND it was light out and they had a safe place to go with Mike (last part is my stipulation) then that might work.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
In reply to: rbear4
Sun, 12-24-2006 - 10:51am

Dear Renee,

Run to New York, Run to New York! Oh, long way, FLY to New York and I'll take you running around the Central Park reservoir AND work out your quads (correct!) and hamstrings, also your glutes and abs, your knee really will get well. but I will NOT let you run every day...

My dh does take Malcolm biking, and they have a safe routine, but I have to be home to boot them out the door... At least they will go to basketball court and goof around with the ball or call friends and go practise baseball hitting, catching and running bases. AND this winter we are not having a winter here, balmy today.

On another note, as you also have a horsey child : Yesterday Malcolm rode a feisty new (to him) horse like a champion, everyone at the stables was so impressed with him -- I asked him why he did so well and he said "Well, that horse just really needed me to be the boss!!!" lol

Sara
who should be cleaning house
'cuz she's having friends over tonight
and making payeye..

Merry Christmas, Happy Everything Else, Everyone!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Sun, 12-24-2006 - 12:09pm

I should be cleaning too, but no one coming over! LOL

At least DH is good about basketball. We have been taking Mike to the court each of the last 2 days and it helps. We have a hoop here but it takes a lot of direction to keep him focused and practicing here. It is easier at the park.

Well yesterday it ended in fiasco. DH decided to shoot hoops with a different b-ball the same time Mike was shooting. It is really hard to get Mike to interact when shooting baskets and take turns. He rather do it as in independent activity. He also is pretty unaware of environment soooooooo DH's ball took a funny bounce, Mike never saw it coming cause he was not aware it was even there and didn't hear the shout to duck. Caught it right in the side of the head and has a nice egg and cut there now.

He was a trooper he tried to keep playing but just couldn't. Smooth move dad.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Mon, 12-25-2006 - 7:15pm

Yeah. Real smooth move, dad.


On second thoughts, maybe he shouldn't take Mike running.


-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com