sidelined.

again.

Last year, it was a pulled illiopsoas muscle (my left hip flexor).

A summer filled with physical therapy and constantly fixing my poor posture/ergonomics at work, followed by the acquisition of corrective running shoes and corrective inserts helped alleviate the problem.

But the triathlon? A dream deferred.

This year, let me introduce you to my latest triathlon-goal killer: chondrocalcinosis.

Not a new issue for me, but one that I had not waged battle with since the turn of the century. Darn calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals; you do heinous things to my much-needed joints. With the event only 11 days away, the prospects are not looking great. But, I'm trying to be optimistic. With excessive swelling in my knee from this arthritic-type condition, it's nearly impossible to run, swim or bike... let alone, walk. I have to contort myself in funny ways to go up stairs, get in the car, sit on the ground, get up from the ground. I am trying to be optimistic, but I am feeling discouraged that I can't do much of anything right now.

Below are some post-doctor's visit pics. Unfortunately, my PCP is on vacation, so I saw the clinic's ARNP. Super nice lady, but she is not certified to give me a cortisone injection and no one else wanted to touch me because they did not have any 1-on-1 time with me. More frustration. But I put on a good face as the x-ray tech worked her magic and the phlebotomist painfully prodded my vein. I may get to go back to get poked with the gigantor needle if a heavy-duty anti-inflammatory doesn't whip these crystal buggers into shape.

Perhaps this person is not meant to be transformed into a triathlete.

Time will tell.