A story of going from being a non-runner to planning for a marathon in three years...

Thursday, September 30, 2010

First Run Back




Some things work better when you surround them with a circle, too.

Last night (Wednesday) was a week since I first felt the pain in my knee. On the advice of pretty much everyone I waited a full week before running (minus the three minutes I cheated and did on the treadmill at the gym on Monday).

Even though track is on Wednesday nights I knew better than to go out so hard on my first run back after a week. Especially since I wasn't sure how my knee would fare. Instead, I decided to do my old 5 mile route.

I got home from work earlier than usual which meant running a little earlier than usual. I'd hoped that this would mean fewer stops for traffic but, sadly, I think I had MORE stops!

I wore my knee strap and the knee felt pretty good for the first few miles. It started to get a little achy around mile 3 but nothing like the debilitating pain I experienced when it first started acting up. I think the knee strap definitely made a difference.

I also noticed that it got crankier when I got tired and my form started to deteriorate. This means the last few miles of the marathon should be interesting.

My pace was probably a little faster than it should have been, too. It just felt so good to get out there and run!

Today, though, my knee feels tight and creaky. I'm not as worried about how it will feel during the marathon (although I'd still like to be more pain free than I currently am) but I'm more worried about after. I've been so lucky with injuries that I don't even know what to do in terms of running with one. I guess go to the doctor and get an actual physical therapist recommendation. I suppose I'll worry about that after I'm done with the 26.2.

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Activity
Route:--Elev. Avg:628 ft
Location:Forest Park, ILElev. Gain:+0 ft
Date:09/29/10Up/Downhill: [+114/-114]
Time:04:58 PMDifficulty:2.0 / 5.0
Performance

Distance: 5.01 miles
Time:0:50:11
Speed:6.0 mph
Pace:10' 01 /mi
Calories:593
Map
 
Elevation (ft)
 
Pace (min/mile)
 
Splits
MilePace (min/mile)Speed (mph)Elevation
Gain
actual+/- avgactual+/- avg
110' 14+0' 135.9-0.1+3 ft
29' 33-0' 286.3+0.3+10 ft
39' 49-0' 126.1+0.10 ft
410' 17+0' 165.8-0.2-9 ft
59' 56-0' 056.0+0.0-4 ft
end11' 40+1' 395.1-0.90 ft
Versus average of 10' 01 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

3 comments:

kilax said...

Why do you think your form started to deteriorate toward the end of the run? Just because you hadn't run in a week? If I recall, your form was pretty good at the 20-miler, at least, until the rain, rigth? I guess you'll really have to focus on form during the race! I noticed that too, when I was running in DC in May. Some how, I had gotten in to the habit of leaning forward while running and it bothered my knee. As soon as I ran straight and landed on my midfoot, I was fine.

I hope this just goes away so you don't have to take any downtime after the race!

Maribeth said...

Remember to stop at the Medical tent as soon as you cross the finish line and have them ice your knee. It really helps.

Mica said...

No debilitating pain is a great sign! I guess just continue to take it easy during this taper, and like Maribeth above said--ice the crap out of it when you cross the finish line! I hope the weather is optimal for you to run. (Don't joints feel creakier when it's cold/wet? Or is that just an old wives' tale?)

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