PT thinks the knee tweakiness is actually from my quad after being underused for these past weeks - that the problem isn't in the actual knee but is kind of a tracking problem at the side of the kneecap as the muscles re-work out their relationship to each other, which is good.

PT also thinks the most likely scenario is that I finish the race but blow out my form around miles 16-18 and then either just feel like crap or run a decent risk of flaring up all the areas of pain we've been working on.

Gail agrees that it shouldn't be run just for the sake of finishing, and feeling apprehensive the whole race (even if it all went well) would suck when the whole idea is that it's supposed to be fun.

I'm sad for no marathon this year but I actually feel very positive about taking this energy and focusing on strengthening and healing so I can come back stronger!

My friend Leslie (who had to defer Chicago due to the hurricane) and I are already making plans for our comeback tours next year which is fun and motivating

aw man, but i'm glad you're feeling good and have a plan of action!

I'm so glad you're doing better and it sounds like the right move!

I was very cheered up by the fact that I was still running 10:40~/mile pace during the running part of yesterday's run/walk. Like, I expected to be SO much slower.

You're gonna have a great comeback

that's an amazing pace for an easy run!

Ottergirl: it was very nice to see that the marathon condition didn't completely disappear! I was so stiff on Saturday, like the dog in booties joke was not truly a joke

*conditioning