Update on my training: I have been working on strengthening my legs and I have been doing some outdoor running when it’s nice out. I got a knee brace but my knee still hurts when I run over a mile.
Today’s solution: I have decided to purchase an IT band strap (after hearing many good things about it). My training today will be the first time trying it out, so I hope it works. This is seriously my last chance.
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Long term solution: I have made an appointment for a referral to see a specialist about my knee. Since I can’t do anything about my knee before the race, I’m going to take it easy on the 5K and then really focus on whatever physical therapy is recommended for my injury.
(Sorry this blog hasn’t been the most exciting thing ever… when I set out to do this blog, I hadn’t anticipated all of this injury business. I think this whole debacle is more than just an injury… it’s dealing with an unexpected challenge. I already knew learning to run was going to be difficult, but I never planned on adding an injury to the mix, so this has really been an interesting journey for a whole different reason.)
In the next couple weeks, I’m going to require a lot of encouragement, so drop me a line and wish me luck! Pray that I don’t injure myself and that I can accomplish my first goal of many in this insane pursuit. Thanks!!
Sorry I haven’t updated in a while… I really had nothing to blog about in regards to running, since I haven’t been running at all the past few weeks. I have been very careful with my knee, but this past weekend I decided it is time to get back into it! I finally went out to the Runner’s Grove and got my running shoes (excitement!!). The knowledgeable sales rep helped me select a pair of Mizuno Alchemy motion control shoes, and they are pretty killer… check them out!
After purchasing my shoes, I went online and registered for the Hot Chocolate 5K that is being held on November 5th. I will be running this race with Andrea (who is probably gonna kill me in time because she runs allllllll the time), but it will feel great to complete my first run. It can only get better from there, right? P.S. Is anyone else running the Hot Chocolate 15/5K? Let me know if you are!
Ok, so the plan for today is to get back on that horse and start training. I have a combo of stretching, biking, and running that I’m going to do in order to pace myself and [hopefully] not injure myself again. Wish me luck!
So tonight, I decided to go on my very first run since my injury. Huzzah! I mentally prepared myself, making sure I was ready to tell myself to walk if I started feeling pain.
My run ended up being more like a walk with periods of jogging, and I'm okay with that. Plus, I haven't gotten my new shoes yet, so I didn't want to try anything crazy... I ended up doing a little over 2 miles, but again, it was mostly walking.
I think I should integrate some biking with my workouts to help build up some solid leg muscle. Yeah, I bet that'd help...
Sorry this post isn't more interesting. Mostly I just wanted to tell you guys that although lacking some of the motivation I started with I'm back in the game!
It's Sunday, and so far today I have had no knee pain (YES!).
I talked to my aunt earlier this week about my injury. She does all kinds of running, biking, hiking, paddle boarding -- you name it! Here's a picture of her after at the Irvine Lake Mud Run 2010:
Courtesy of Facebook
When I explained my symptoms and location of pain, she knew exactly my injury because she has had it herself. She said I have ITBS, or an injury of the IT band. Here is what Wikipedia says about ITBS:
"ITBS is one of the leading causes of lateral knee pain in runners. The iliotibial band is a superficial thickening of tissue on the outside of the thigh, extending from the outside of the pelvis, over the hip and knee, and inserting just below the knee. The band is crucial to stabilizing the knee during running, moving from behind the femur to the front while walking. The continual rubbing of the band over the lateral femoral epicondyle, combined with the repeated flexion and extension of the knee during running may cause the area to become inflamed."
EXACTLY!Finally, an answer to my "What did I freakin do to my knee?!?" question. And the best part? It's not a serious injury and it just takes a few weeks to heal. What great news!
Also, my aunt recommended kinesiotape (or KT tape), which, thanks again to Wikipedia, is defined as "a cotton strip with an acrylic adhesive that is used for treating athletic injuries and a variety of physical disorders. It was invented by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor, in the 1970s."
Basically, they are used to help support healing of sports injuries. You use one or two strips of KT tape as an anchor, then using tension, use other pieces of KT tape to help reduce swelling and improve circulation to enhance the healing process. The best part is, there are YouTube videos that show you how to use KT tape for specific injuries. Here is the one I will use when my KT tape comes in the mail (hurry Amazon!):
Neat, right? I'm also going to invest in a roller... my runner friends have recommended that thing enough for me to believe it works. :)
On another note, I'd like to dedicate this blog to my friends, Pat & Amy. They finished the Rock and Roll Half Marathon today, and I could not be more inspired. Congrats you guys! You rock!
I wish I had better news, but I don’t. My knee is still super sore and I’m contemplating a doctor visit. How could I have destroyed myself so early on? I’m quite upset about this massive hiccup in my plan…
I’ll keep you all updated on my situation, but right now my knee hurts underneath my knee cap, and it’s a sharp pain that kicks in when I move it (as opposed to a constant dull ache). It happened last Tuesday as you may recall, so if I don’t see any change by next Tuesday, I will be setting up an appointment to have x-rays done. I really don’t want to go that route, but I also don’t want to make it worse by getting nothing done if I have a serious injury.
Please stay tuned. I hope to be back up and running as soon as possible.
So, I'm definitely feeling much better, but I'm not going to take any more chances.
I'm going to try the Couch to 5K program... not only because it's the smart thing to do, but also because it has an app!! (Click the picture above to check it out for yourself)
I also came into a little bit of extra cash this week, so I will definitely be getting new running shoes very soon!
