My knee's been better and better and better since last summer's surgery. But it still makes a weird popping sound if there's any lateral pressure (or if I, say, bend it while lying on my side). It's always a little disconcerting, though I should be used to it by now.

Though I know it's probably fluid in the joint, I can't help wondering if the surgeon left some air pockets in there, somehow. Or maybe some popcorn. I also wonder when this extra popping fluid will be gone. My last knee surgery was nine months ago--nine months!

But I shouldn't complain. The knee functions fine on my runs. I'm almost back to a fully normal running schedule--some trail runs once or twice a week, a road run once or twice a week--usually pushing the double stroller--and my beloved Sunday long run. Plus an occasional short (2.5-mile) "family" run, which I love, because my husband has decided he wants to run more. I don't care how short or slow our runs are or that I have to push the stroller. I enjoy running with him.

I'm building my way back up, after months off, to a half marathon. Every time I start building up my speedwork or my mileage, though, I seem to kick off another injury. Not my knee--oddly, it's pretty solid despite its three surgeries and extensive meniscal damage. The hamstring on my "good" leg is now bad, perhaps a compensation injury? Perhaps my biomechanics are off.  I don't know.

I do know that I set a PR in a recent 5K, and I'm not too upset that I have to bow out of next week's 10-mile trail run due to an unexpected family situation. My hamstring won't mind skipping that hilly race. I will still keep training for a May half marathon, but it's already April, so I'd better choose and register for one soon.

I tuck my left leg under me as I write this, and pop goes the knee.

I wonder how much longer I'll be running, and if my ultramarathon goals will ever come to fruition.