in Pain...

haiiiiiiis.... last few days I have been going through some mental and physical torment.... Physical as it seems my right knee has been giving out little by little... i know I already do not run as fast, nor as long, as I used to... still, i try to keep at it as regular as I could.... and with the winter months being sooo COLD and WET in Taipei, i had to make do with the machines at the GYM... and with them, I pushed myself even more by FASTER & running UPHILL - about LEVEL 10 incline.... Either all that PUSHING, or maybe AGE, has caught up with me.... last few days my right knee would hurt now and again..... but it manages to subsides always... so I chuck it as nothing and just push myself less.... yesterday afternoon though, after not running for 3 days, I went for a run by the river.... halfway through my knee totally gave in and I was in soooo much pain... excruciating pain..... all I could do was LIMP myself back home... Was going to try to ignore it, but going up the stairs to Jewels' home was quite TORTUROUS... I knew I have to seek medical help.... since it was late in the day, I had to wait till today to see a doctor.... so just rested my leg all nite and hoped for the best.... went to sleep early and hoped the good nite's sleep will help - WRONG!!! Woke up this morning in pain.... and it took me a whole 10 minutes to get out of bed, as I was in so much pain just to move my leg an inch.... At the doctor's, am told it was really from EXCESSIVE RUNNING... AGE... ETC.... everything I already know.... everything I already feared....

3 ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES (A FIRST FOR ME!), a COMPRESS, and MEDICINAL BANDAGE later - am sent home with the following instructions: -No RUNNING FOR A LONG WHILE! -Not even SWIMMING for a few days... -Avoid Stairs! So, is this really the end of my running days??? that would HURT me even more than the pain I felt yesterday if this was meant to be... :(( So I can only hope not.... and the biggest question of all: "is it really downhill from here???"