Good news: I have worked soo hard to get ready to run this race. Ive ran most of the miles I need to run to train. And I really do feel prepared.
Bad news: Last week my right knee started bothering me. Ive never had knee problems. I just kept running, and every day it gets a little bit worse. So after Fridays run, I decided I better take a break, so I don't hurt myself more. I didn't run this weekend, or today, and I'm still limping around.
So, I need every ones advice. I REALLY want to run this weekend. So do I:
- relax this week and not run till Saturday?
- Spend $100, and go see a physical therapist, and find out whats going on?
- Keep running through the pain. (OK, I know this would be a dumb choice)
My very wise bro-in-law, gave me some very inspiring advice today (in our 28 min. conversation, when he should have been working). What he does, when he feels any pain at all, is simply just popping a T3 or 2... Great advice. Thanks Steve!
So lets hear it. What do I do?
i was really thinking you got some great advice from dr mark but when i saw the T3 comment, i knew it was steve...
ReplyDeletebut duh, spend $100 and find out what's wrong!!
Cold Laser Therapy. Can work WONDERS in a few treatments! Seriously...it works. Call me if you want more details.
ReplyDeleteShannon!! I feel your pain! A couple years ago my knee started to have a sharp pain in the side/inside. My mom took me to the therapist and all he was able to tell me was that my IT band on that leg was too tight. Then the only help he offered was that I shouldn't run anymore or I should take drugs before running like Steve suggested. Fortunately, I found there's a stretch you can do to loosen the IT band, you can google it or facebook me for it. Biking also REALLY helps.
ReplyDeleteJust this year I tweaked my knee the night before the moonlight run. I went and bought some Sugoi compression socks the next day and wore them a couple hours before the race and my knee felt fine! The socks are really tight knee highs, they feel great and look pretty spiffy. Just another idea.
If I were you, I would lay off the running, it's only going to aggravate your knee worse. Keep training by biking. The low impact will help rest yet strengthen your knee, and it will provide you with the cardio training you need to keep preparing for the race. At this point you've trained well enough to not suffer any really big setbacks from taking a week off. The time off will hopefully let your knee recuperate.
I think you're best to lay off running until the race on Saturday. You won't be out of shape by then, I promise!!! Then I'd take 4 Ibuprofen right before your race. (Ibuprofen has anti-inflammatories, and Tylenol doesn't...it works way better), and and ice bath right after. No really, a bath of ice water..In the meantime, going to physio wouldn't hurt, either. They'll probably give you exercises to do (like leg lifts) and even if they don't help before Saturday, they might help for the rest of your running career. I don't know what kind of running shoes you wear, but when my IT band flared up, I was running in cheap shoes, so I went and got fitted for nice ones with lots of stability. I really think that's what cured me! Although, you don't want to run a race in a pair of shoes you've never trained in, either. Anyway, I think you'll make it through your race okay, but you might hobble around for a week after! I hope you can get your knee figured out so you don't stop running afterwards! GOOD LUCK!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have good advice above. Here's mine:
ReplyDeleteIt's most likely your IT band, i'd take the week off, espcially since you're supposed to rest most of the week anyway. Maybe do a 2 mile walk or something. Your this close, I think you should still run the race and push through it. Take 3 motrin (same thing as Ibuprofen) 30 minutes before your race. there are some stretches where you hold onto a railing or door knob and lean your opposite hip out, while keeping your head toward the railing. Your IT band runs up to your hip, so if you feel it stretching in your hip, it should be helping. I think. Maybe google it for better information. I've noticed for me my knees hurt when I run downhill lots or on uneven road. On my long runs, I will often run on the opposite side of the road to even things out. oh, and ice it lots this week. Like in the evening after the kids are in bed, just sit in front of the tv and ice it. And stretch it.
Good luck! I am so excited to hear how it goes.
p.s. -I've heard there are some knee injections you can get right before you race to get you through it.
ReplyDeleteyou could try moms laser when you get down here. she swears by it!
ReplyDeleteI know this might be late... but I was just watching Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never" and I realized that he went through a very similar situation. He was on tour and was preparing to have his concert in Madison Square Garden (I know -insane.) and his vocal chords got all messed up and he was torn ... did he stop singing and repair is voice but maybe not be fulling prepared for his sold out concert?? Or did he keep on singing so he didn't have to cancel his measly little concerts and ruin his voice forever? He chose the former... thank goodness. Rest up, Shan, and never say never.
ReplyDelete