So, touch wood and all that jazz, but it appears I’m back in the game. I’m running again!
And yes I still stand by the fact that I don’t regret running ALL THE MILES in Austria… it just confirms to me what I already know. I’m injury prone and I should gradually build up my miles and I probably shouldn’t run more than two days in a row.
My running was going so well…then Austria happened (follow me on Strava here)
What I do regret however is running a race a couple of days after getting back from Austria. Though I didn’t race it and it was only 4 miles, it wasn’t ideal and was probably the straw that broke the camel’s back (well, the straw that duffed my knee up). I really needed to take a good solid week off, maybe even two, before attempting to jump back into things. But there we go. These things happen. I annoyed my knee to the point that running after that was a big no-no.
The area of the knee affected was the inside bit, nearest the other knee if that makes sense. It wasn’t swollen but it was just very uncomfortable when I tried to run, or stretch it. I’m almost 100% certain it was just a simple over-use injury caused by the mileage and downhill running.
I’m actually quite proud of myself for not overly panicking about the situation. I saw Kyle, my local friendly sports massage therapist, a few times and had some acupuncture.
I stopped running and avoided anything in the gym that caused me discomfort or pain. This was mainly any sort of jumping or lunging. Thankfully I could still use the elliptical machine to maintain a level of fitness (still meant to be marathon training… 10th September, New Forest). I also focused my leg days on my quads – nothing too heavy, but I did find this made a good improvement. It might have been increasing the blood flow to that area to help the healing process and also strengthen an area that needed a bit of “building back up” – but this is literally me guessing and just the fact that I took time at the same time (causality confusion and all that). I’d love to pass on some quick wins and magic pill that solved my knee pain but, as with the majority of injuries, it is really about rest. And, surprise surprise, it worked.My first run back was a frustrating two mile run. Towards the end my knee started to niggle but after I’d stopped it wasn’t any worse than before. So I took things gradually by having enough non-running days between this run and my next. Three miles this time, and far better.
As I said before, my plan is for a gradual inverse taper to the marathon. Ideally I’d love to hit 16 miles (possibly 17 or 18) the week before but I’ll play it by ear and how my knee is responding. I’ll be running this marathon slower than previous ones as I’ll be running with my friend Mike and he’s aiming for a sub 4. But a marathon is still 26.2 miles of pounding and endurance so I can’t go into it feeling blasé or that it’ll be easy. No marathon is easy!
But finger’s crossed I’m back in the game. Being surrounded by runners at work is amazing, of course, but it also generates an almost unbearable feeling of FOMO (fear of missing out). I can’t wait until I can do some runching eventually…
Have you ever done an inverse taper for a marathon?
How do you cope with being injured?
Have you ever regretted a run/race?
At least you are on the mend now. I am always amazed when I see people doing run streaks as I know that I could run for 3 days in a row but really 2 is more sensible and I should take a day off running in between.
I did a 5 mile race with my dad, and I really should have spectated as I was having the problem with my hip and I limped around and was in a lot of pain for days after. I think I have learned my lesson though?
Maria @ Maria runs recently posted…Heartwood Forest parkrun tourism- possibly the closest yet!
Acupuncture’s wonderful, isn’t it?!
I regretted the run where I fell over and twisted my ankle…and the 10K I didn’t manage to finish because I wasn’t recovered from an injury.
Jane recently posted…I may have made jam
I honestly think you are a strong woman! I had a “mild back injury” back in 2011 and all I did was rest in my bed and providing all the care needed,hoping it will heal on its own. I would have never tried to run 2 miles, let alone 17 !
My prayers are with you, Good-luck! All the love to you! xx
Ushmana Rai recently posted…Vitamix 6300 Vs 7500 – Which Blender Should You Buy?
Glad to hear you are back running. I’ve done an inverse taper for a couple of marathons where I missed most of the training, and it worked out fine. You’ve get plenty of experience at that distance, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Lauren (@poweredbypb) recently posted…Training: Hanson’s Marathon Method
It sounds like you were really smart with how you handled this injury. Hopefully it’s completely healed and you’ll be fine for the marathon. Also, I followed you on Strava.
Elizabeth C. recently posted…Marathon Training: Back at it
The problem with me is that running brings up all the competitiveness in me, though I’m not really competitive in my life with pretty much anything else.
And that is bad since I injured myself last Sunday not willing to let another runner from the running club get ahead of me over a sharp left turn. I felt right away some pain and discomfort but my left knee started to bother me next time I ran, 2 days after.
No swelling in my case as well and my pain is on the outside of my knee and on inside towards the other knee as you have. I stopped running at all this week, skipping the Wednesday run and the today’s run and I’m planning to take the following week off as well.
Fingers crossed, I hope to be be back at it afterwards. I hope your knee gets better soon. Still a lot of sunny days ahead! Good luck at the marathon, I know you will crush it!
Cheers from Toronto, Vic
Injured Runner recently posted…Knee pain when running
Hi, is anybody here interested in online working?
It’s simple survey filling. Even $10 per survey (ten minutes duration).
If you are interested, send me email to hans.orloski[at]gmail.com
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