That's "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." I know (believe me, I know) that once you really get into this running/exercise/fitness stuff that it can be an addiction; especially if you have an 'addictive' personality. But your body can only handle so much and when it's fed up it will let you know, kind of like a woman. The difference is usually, eventually the woman will forgive you (she'll never let you forget whatever it was, but she'll forgive you....sorta), your body won't. If you don't rest a pulled calf (for ex.) then it will NOT get better. You can't train through it. I love to run, more than that I love to run PAIN FREE. My lesson for today is simple - though I'm undergoing a procedure, it's not that different from shutting down till your calf/ankle/heel/foot/quad do forth and so on QUITS hurting. Not till "it's better" which loosely translated means 'it still hurts, just not as bad', but quits hurting. Step one is to get your head wrapped around it - you know you have to shut down, so shut down. Make your down time part of your training. I'm not saying head to Milo's, then Ben & Jerry's, I'm saying make getting well a priority. If you need to rest, say a sore knee, rest it. If you're about to 'pop' use this time to improve another aspect of your body or training. Work on a stronger core, you don't need knees for that. Get a trainer or a coach or a really smart person to show you planks, then variations on those planks that will work everything NORTH of the 'border' (your hips). Hit the gym, use a roman chair for your glutes, sit ups/crunches shoulder work - practice good arm technique with weights...what have you wanted to improve along with your running? Wanted to lose those 5 pounds, or develop a '6 pack' or stronger shoulders? Good time to do it...make THAT your training focus as your 'knee' (or whatever) heals/recovers. All running and nothing else is fine until you lose that running even temporarily, pizza is good too, but I don't want it every day. So that's plan 'A' for me, follow my Dr's advice - I have a great friend and fellow runner who's a PT and I swear he's seen it all...except the Met's win a World Series and even though I'm a Braves fan I do wish that for him before he goes to the great trail run in the sky...and I intend to pick his brain. Gather information, see what works for you in recovery...I plan to be active, active, active until I can run, run, run! I'll work out, get my core in better shape, I want a stronger upper body, maybe (for the last time before age catches up) a flat belly with even a hint of a 6 pack (love beer references) ...and when I can work the knee, I'll do what I'm told. Now, if he says I can do 'X' in 10 days...I'll set my watch and be ready to go the second I can, but I want to heal COMPLETELY AND SUCCESSFULLY, so I will rest and recover. Emotionally I'm ready now, apprehensive sure (it's the right knee, the RIGHT knee), and a little...um, relieved that action, corrective positive action is being taken. So mentally and emotionally I'm good, now, how will I feel when I'm in pain from the surgery? I expect to have to rally my focus and inner drive - let the surgically caused pain pass (maybe a beer will help), then plan my workouts. I do plan on watching my diet; not going crazy just going to eliminate unnecessary calories. I can do that (see the mental resolve?). I'm gonna make this kinda like a diary in hopes that (heaven forbid) anything close happens to you, there'll be a road map. Truthfully, if you run far enough and often enough it's gonna happen. The trick to longevity is how you rebound...I plan to make Bret Farve look like a piker with 1 more comeback. My ultimate goal of a sub 20:00 5K may be fading, but I intend to come back better than I was. Yes, I'm older (leave me alone), but "Once a King, always a King....once a knight is enough!" (think about it.......). I'm off to see the 'wizard' (aka surgeon) and I plan to (hope to) be as upbeat and driven post-op. I'll try not to blog until the anesthesia wears off...man, could THAT get me in trouble! Keep rest and recovery as part of your training plan......