Orthopedic News

Had a nice talk this morning with my HMO-supplied orthopedist. While only giving me a fifty-percent chance of ever running marathons again, he gave me a 100-percent chance of knee deterioration if I do nothing.

So it looks like I'll be opting for arthroscopic surgery on the knee. They'll "bleed" the knee above the "pothole,"  filling it with what-will-become fibrocartliage. While not as strong as organic cartilage, there's a chance it could close said pothole nicely, allowing me to race into my dotage. (Not far.)

There's physical therapy and months of EZ walking and light running. But by then, I should know if the pothole can withstand marathon pounding. 

Ahh, well, there. No more moping about. A direction. A risk. Life. Procrastination. Just a little. I'll call 'em Monday and set it up. 

Big Voice, Big Heart

Joe Leahy's blogging these days. Check out the thoughts of the voice of Freakazoid.

Final Boston Marathon Thoughts

Big props to Kara Goucher and Ryan Hall for finishing third in their respective divisions. Goucher led 800 meters from the finish, but couldn't hold against world class competition. Hall faded when the front runners surged, but fought his way back, picking off runners to close behind the second man in what was a very deep field. This is the best finish for Americans since 1985, when the top three female and second-and-third male slots were won by the U.S.

Goucher wept in disappointment, but this was only her second marathon. She should be proud. Nothing but upside for USA distance running. 

And nothing but congratulations to Kiley Akers and Kate Freeman for finishing their first 50-mile race. (I thanked them at the retired blog, now I'm thanking them where people will see.) Kiley coaches the fall and spring San Gabriel Valley, Team in Training marathon squads. Kate was my coach for two TNT marathons. Nice to see them set big, scary goals and reel them in.  

Richard Stone Remembered

Paul Rugg blogs about Freakazoid scoring sessions and the magic of Richard Stone aka "Stonini."

The scoring room was on the Warner lot and had been used in such famous films as "Casablanca." They were going to tear it down at one point, but Clint Eastwood really liked scoring his films there. So the studio renovated it, putting in nifty, futuristic technical stuff and a big comfy couch.

For a time in Freakazoid Season Two, we were scoring nomads, traveling to sound stages at Paramount and Fox. But there's was nothing like the huge stage at Warners back in the day.

Director Recalls Filming Freak Season Two DVD

DVD director Troy shares his Freakazoid Season Two memories.

And remember: "Troy" spelled backwards is "Yort."

Freakazoid Season II DVD

Now available at fine DVD emporiums.

Next Deadline

Thursday afternoon, April 30. I turn a completed short story in to my agent. That means I need to line up readers now, get them pages by this Saturday, back to me by Tuesday, corrections done by Wednesday, polish Thursday morning. I think we're looking at 20-odd pages.

It can and will be done!

Boston Marathon

Version number 113 on a chilly, windy day. Dramatic finish, spent runner, good-showing by the U.S. The video is around ten minutes and captures the top three men and women finishers.

Ditching a Blog and Knee Surgery

I've shut down the running blog and will update here in one place as I've done for the last four years. Starting another blog is a perfect example of pain-avoidance. I have barrels of unfinished projects, yet I begin something new because it's always easier than completing something old.

Be warned. The mind is powerful, the mind is weak, the mind will wake you, when it's time to leak. I'm not sure what that means, but it contains elements of truth here and there.

In any case, I'm calling my orthopedic doc today to inquire about arthroscopic knee surgery. As I understand the recovery process, there's about six weeks immobile, twelve weeks limited use, then twelve weeks mildly busy use before I could think about training again.

Right now, blogging about running has a certain Lives of Others feel, but it'll do until I get going again.

Poem-A-Day

Speaking of writing deadlines (which I do often), over in the sidebar my sister is slogging away on a 30-day poetry challenge. That's one poem each day based on a simple prompt.

Keep cranking, MP!

Animaniacs Salute

Keeper links to an Animaniacs salute on the piano roll, performing for a familiar audience. Apparently, these player pianos are powered by a bellows of some sort. See what you think.