Trying to keep my spirits up... as well as my knee

I never really put much thought into the shoes I was wearing while running, that is until my knee started aching the other day.  I had been wearing those Sketchers "Shape-Ups" as they were the only somewhat athletic shoes I had, and I really didn't have the money to go out and buy something different.  The shoes put you in a constant hyperextended stance, causing you to over-extend the knee while it forces you to engage your thigh and butt muscles.  When I knee they were hurting me I stopped wearing them, but decided since I was going to have to kill a pair of kicks in the Mud Run, I might as well trash the Shape-Ups... Um... yeah. Bad idea.  

My knee has felt pretty awful the last week and I've been unable to walk for more than a few blocks let alone run.  I have been working, coming home and immediately taking off my leg.  I always wanted to become a doctor as a kid, and have known the RICE method since kindergarten.  Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.  It's been my motto the last few days.  Since the Mud Run it's been a whole lot worse, and although I don't at all regret doing it, I know that this pain is a consequence of pushing yourself when I knew I was injured.  

I've been spending a lot more time legless this past week, which is pretty much the opposite of my normal routine.  Hopping around is completely out of the question right now; I can barely make it down a fight of stairs let alone put that kind of high impact on my knee.  Anyone who has used crutches for even a short period of time knows that they are basically useless for everything except walking in a straight line.  It's impossible to carry things, hold your balance, and move forward all at once.  Needless to say I've been spending a lot of time on the floor, scooting my body with one arm and one leg, while carrying things from one side of the room to another.  Making dinner, putting dishes in the sink, packing a lunch and my backpack for tomorrow... all from ground zero here.  

I have never felt super comfortable being without my leg, and never go out that way unless absolutely necessary.  It's forced me to stay inside quite a bit, which has been exhausting for me.  I look out my window at the beautiful weather and wish I was running the sidewalk.  I feel like I had been going 100 miles per hour and come to a screeching stop.  However, after much thought and processing (still a future psychologist after all...)  I have realized that I'm still a young, fit, 23 year old who has a lot of years to run my little heart out.  That is, if I listen to my body when I'm hurt, and take care of myself until I have healed.  I decided to volunteer for the Terrapin 5K this Thursday, so I can be a part of it, and meet the "Scheck and Siress" amputee running group without stressing my knee out too much.  I could use the encouragement, and I'm sure a few tips on preventing further injury :P I am all signed up for the Ossur Running Clinic in 2 weeks as well, so the plan is to rest and heal so I can kick some serious amputee ass.