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Today morning, I consulted with a Korean acupuncturist who came highly recommended by my mother. I elaborated on my chronic knee pain and current state of health. Soon after, treatment commenced.
Upon the insertion of each needle, I experienced a slightly painful sensation. That was about it. I didn’t slip into a sudden state of calm or gain mental clarity or anything of the sort. I felt nothing, in fact. The only thing I recall feeling while the needles were inserted was a curious sensation in my stomach or lower abdomen. Anyhow, some hot item was placed on my stomach and the acupuncturist left to attend to others. I made the mistake of flexing my right leg while the needles were in. The pain that ensued was indescribable; it wasn’t pain per se but rather, an unusual feeling of discomfort. It felt like my muscle had been shortened and had lost its ability to stretch and retract. It felt quite horrible. Needless to say, I stopped moving my leg altogether after that incident. I had needles inserted in my hand as well and following the removal of all the needles, the area where the needles were inserted had become rather sensitive to touch. It was bruised and swollen and remains as such 12 hours after treatment. This first session was a letdown, I didn’t feel anything, nothing noteworthy. All I have to show for it is multiple red bumps and a painful right hand. My knees still hurt, my legs hurt and the headache I had before and during the acupuncture has shown no signs of abating. I was told to return on Friday which I will be doing and I do hope that this session will yield some results.

I’ve officially registered to be placed on both the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry and the worldwide registry. I submitted the application form and the process is under way. I donated blood a third time and two tubes of blood were also collected to be sent off to the ABMDR. Who knows what will happen.

Catharsis, health benefits, weight loss, toned legs, increased endurance. They all sound good to me. I’ve always been a sprinter and the constant heavy resistance with low reps is building up my calves and I’ve pulled far too many muscles. I need to get a better pair of runners too. The transition from sprinting to long-distance running will be a big one. I’ve a lot of fast-twitch muscle fibres as opposed to slow-twitch fibres. On account of my inactive lifestyle of late (which is because I’m underweight at the moment), it appears my muscles have atrophied so perhaps that will work in my favour. Increased susceptibility to shin splints, ITBS, knee, hip and ankle injuries concerns me but I suppose all forms of exercise entail some degree of risk.

I’d like to reach the stage where I will be able to run 9 minute kilometres for 7km, once a week. I need to remember to stretch before and after exercising.

Originally, my goal was to run 10 kilometres twice a week but that would place far too much pressure on my joints. Moreover, the notion of attaining such a goal doesn’t seem feasible with my semi-developed inclination toward sprinting, inexperience with middle distance and long distance running and time constraints. I’m far too slim at the moment, anyhow.