..... I went out for my 7-miler run. Less than 2 weeks ago my running was actually getting somewhere. Less than 2 weeks ago, I was able to run. In the past two weeks, I have moved into my new place, unpacked, unpacked, organized my things, traveled to Chicago for a long weekend, and I am back in ND. I have attempted to run twice in the past two weeks. I went out a week ago for a short jog, but the heat and my knee got the most of me.... barely logged 1.5 miles. Today, I was bound and determined to get out there and atleast try a couple miles. Well, the 2 miles came and went, and I am still struggling with my knee. How can I have an almost perfect 7 mile run, and then not be able to do more than a mile or two, 2 weeks later?
I can count (on one hand) how many times I have struggled with my running in the past year. Just as soon as I have gotten on a role, something has happened, whether it was as minimal as shin splints, sore ankles, or sore knees... this time it is something different. It feels really weird when I run. And when I walk up and down the stairs, it cracks. It doesn't really bother me when I walk. I can't even explain the feeling I have in my knee when I do attempt to run. Maybe something is pinching, maybe something has shifted, maybe it's just because I have bad knees from the start.
I am at my wits end.
I just don't know what to do anymore.
I can't handle the idea of not being able to run. I don't have to run a half marathon or marthon to be happy (as much as I would like to accomplish both), I just want to be able to go out and do a few miles 3-4 times a week. With that in mind, I have put off all training, including the Dick Beardsley and Nike Women's Half Marathons.
*sniff, sniff*
I am completely and utterly frustrated right now.
20 comments:
That is frustrating. Sorry. Maybe (gulp) a doctor visit is needed. However, a few months ago I had to take off three weeks to rest my knee and my first couple runs when I resumed were painful all over. I think my entire body just tightened up since I wasn't doing any other exercise during the layoff. But if felt fined after a couple runs when everything got "loosened" up. Does it hurt when you bike?
I agree it has to be waaaay frustrating...I hope you can quickly figure things out...we are glad you are back tho....*big hugs*
Thanks for the comment on my blog.
Sorry to hear about your knee problem. My advice, if you care to hear it, would be to run based on time rather than mileage. While the mileage might seem low, the volume of *time* you are putting in is significant. Too much time on your feet to quickly is what will cause overuse injuries (like knee pain, shin splints, sore muscles, etc.).
Try to put the mileage number out of your head (or convert to kilometers to get a bigger number! =) ) But, importantly, try to focus on time and staying relaxed--don't run hard or fast until you've built up a good stretch of consistent running, like a few months.
Twenty to thirty minutes each day that you run, with one day of 45-60 minutes will get you through the breakdown phase that you seem to be stuck in. And don't be shy about icing! Good luck in your new life outside ND!
You and I have the same blog entry today... knee pains are holding me back as well. I check out your blog once in a while for inspiration, feel free to check out mine if you get time.
I will tell you this... sometimes, in order to take a step forward, you may need to take two steps back first. Focus on doing your short runs for maintenance, but work on strengthening your leg muscles all over, which will hopefully help contribute to better knees. And STRETCH!
I hope this helps... stay positive, stay committed, and stay proactive.
KelsaLynn
That's a bummer. I felt that way too when I had a knee problem last year. I don't have any great words of wisdom to offer beyond try to stay positive and stay active.
(((HUGS))) What a bummer, and I TOTALLY understand your frustration. Hopefully you'll be able to work something out with the bod cause this clearly is not working.
i like the advice Eric gave..
i'm so sorry you are even going through this though, love ya girl. one day at a time one step at a time one minute at a time
My best advice is to step back to square one. Focus on getting back to basics and scrap any major plans for races until you feel like you are strong in the basics. If it were me, I would sit down and start an Excel spreadsheet with a four week rotation of workouts. Have catagories like biking, running and core for the types of workouts. Set up the plan so that each week you run three times, bike three times, and do a small core workout for 15 minutes each day. Have week 1 be a high mileage bike week, have week 2 be a high mileage run week (whatever high mileage means for you), have week 3 be a lite week with both the bike and run but keep doing the three workouts in each area just with lesser mileage. Week 4 ramp back up to the high mileage of week 2.
I would develop a plan that balances the bike, run, and core work, because the bike will improve the run and the three days of running will allow you to rest enough to build stamina. Overall, the structure of sticking to it will build in the most important thing and that is routine. You can't expect to run long runs without building a base, and the routine helps in that.
I have a spreadsheet plan like this, and I even have it with four tabs in it for four seasons of the year. Those seasons are "off season/winter," "base training," "build phase," and "taper phase." These monthly plans get me through the four seasons and 12 months... but everyone has their own system.
Above all, best of luck and keep your chin up.
Hang in there and take it easy...I really think a lot of my problems came from trying to push through the pain!
Take Care
RICE, RICE, RICE!
I am sure you know what it means- rest, ice, compress, elevate. Lame, but works.
In the meantime, hang in there and go kick ass at the pool.
I'm glad you're back and I hope you enjoy your new place. I have no idea what to tell you about your knee but I hope you get back to running soon.
firstly.. great to see you back. We missed you!
i feel really bad for you. i have seen over time how much you put into it. take care of yourself and take it one step at a time.
welcome back! I am so sorry about your knee pain! I feel like that from time to time with my shins. :>(. Keep icing and resting and hopefully soon they will feel better. Your shoes are ok, right? Sometimes shoes can do it...
First, glad to see that you're back. We HAVE missed you. :)
I'm sorry to hear that you're still troubled by your knee. The previous posters have all had great suggestions - I don't have anything new to add - but wanted you to know that I feel for you. It's tough not being able to run when you want. I like Eric's suggestions and crosstraining will certainly help get you over the hurdle (worked for me). **hugs**
I totally, completely understand how you feel. Major shin splints combined with life in general have made this a horrible summer of running for me as well. I hope you figure out what's up with your knee so you can get back on track.
I am so sorry that you are so frustrated. Take it one day at a time...and one run at a time.
Get some rest. Hope things heal quickly.
Stay tuned...
oOOH sorry to hear about the nagging injuries. I've developing this knee problem(meniscus damage) too over the past year and I found that riding the bike helps me some. Plus the cross-training is nice too.
Hope, we hear good news soon
If things don't get better maybe you should consider seeing a sports doc. I hope that you can get better soon. I know how frustrating it can be when you can't perform the way that you used to. 2 weeks off can be an eternity too. Maybe once you get back into it everything will turn around for you. Good luck.
Have you had your running form looked at? That can make a HUGE difference - and it takes patience to correct but it can totally be done. I agree with everyone else about cross-training, also. When the knee's bothering you, do more bike and swim.
Hang in there - I know I'm a crazy woman when I can't run, so I feel your pain. At those times, I just remind myself that my goal is to run for my whole life, not just to reach some arbitrary number to make me feel good today.
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