Hi, I'm your stereotypical novice runner who has perhaps overtrained herself right out of a marathon!
I went to the D.O.C. yesterday and he used all kinds of fancy medical terms to tell me that I have Runner's Knee. A misaligned knee cap that is rubbing on my femur. Loverly. He gave me a prescription for Naprosyn and some exercises to strengthen the insidus of my thighus muscles. I asked about training and he said that it would be something to pretty much just "run through." As I am usually in pain for upwards of 75% of my runs as it is, this should be nothing new.
I haven't run since Saturday, but Tuesday I did the elliptical thing and then yesterday (pre-doctor's visit) I swam about 500 yards and did some water running (or what I like to call, "treading water"). I ran today on the treadmill. FOR ONE WHOLE MINUTE. Yes, you read that correctly, one whole minute. Sixty seconds. I warmed up with about a half-mile walk and then I picked up the pace. As I mentioned, I can run with some pain. I could not run with this. I slowed down again and walked for a bit, then tried to run again, this time lasting for about 20 seconds. Then I tried not to cry in the middle of the cardio room. I held it in, but had anyone walked past the big glass window and glanced at me, they might have thought I was watching one of those heart-wrenching stories on "Outside the Lines" on the TVs that always have ESPN on (This past week there was a story on there about some former Big Ten field judge who only had one eye - COME ON.) and getting all choked up.
I came home and here I am. I am going to do my best to REALLY rest for a few days. If that doesn't work, I really don't know what I will do. I know it isn't the end of the world if I don't do this. But several people have already forked out money for hotels and non-refundable plane tickets (my husband and I included) to be there for the marathon. And I had really REALLY begun to convince myself that I could do it. I knew it would be hard, but deep down I knew that I would be able to make it. Now I'm not quite so sure.
It seems like several of my recent posts have been about this injury or that. I know it's kind of a bummer to read about - believe me, I would much rather be bitching about blisters that I got during a five mile, middle-of-the-week tempo run or speaking of the joys of being able to consume a jar of Nutella in one day and not feel guilty for it.
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3 comments:
You might look into Chirunning at chirunning.com. I couldn't run for 8 years -- knee pain, back pain, shin splints. And now I'm running farther with a lot less effort -- and no pain -- with ChiRunning. The cartilage under both knees was shredded from catching fast-pitch softball. Had one knee scoped in hopes of running, and it didn't help. But then I found CR. I won't even bother with having the other knee done. Good luck.
Sorry to hear about your over-use injury. I have a chronic problem with my knees, too, so I know how frustrating it can be. Give yourself a few (real) days off, and maybe the pain will subside? Good luck!
Oh no!! Definitely take a few days off...a week....you won't lose that much of your fitness base and if it helps your knees all the better. If....the worst happens and you can't run what about walking? You already have the plane and hotels sorted out and the time limit is pretty generous for walkers.
Best of luck!
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