Saturday I got up early for my longish run. I saw that it was going to be quite warm in the afternoon so figured I should go early. It was also calling for rain in the morning so I only had a short window of time to knock out my planned 7 miles. Since it did appear to be overcast, I made sure to wear my bright orange shirt so I was visible (since I did plan to run in town where there would be some traffic).
I started my run on the island. I did one loop before running up on the bridge to cross the river into town. As I was crossing the bridge, I saw an eagle flying overhead. This was just amazing and I knew for sure it was an eagle. I could see its claws and its big white head. There was another bird flying directly behind it which I would assume was also an eagle but I can't be sure because I didn't get as good of a look at it. After doing the loop in town, I ran back across the bridge and finished up back on the island.
This run started off perfect! I was feeling great and the weather was perfect. I later found out it was 60 degrees and the humidity was 100% which I would not say that sounds perfect, but it felt like it was. I even had my ipod playlist on shuffle and all the best songs came on. What more could I ask for.
I had just finished my first mile at a great pace and as I turned a corner, (at mile 1.25) I had this stabbing pain in the side of my left knee. Not a real harsh stabbing but as if I was getting a shot. It wasn't IT band pain but it was a pain I had never felt before. Yikes, this scared me! I tried to continue around the next curve, but I couldn't. I had to walk. I had made it around the loop to where I had parked my car and stood there and did lots of stretching and rubbing. After a few minutes I tried running again. My plan was to see if I could make it to the stop sign which was only a few feet in front of me, and I couldn't. I thought maybe the best thing for me to do was just get back in my car and go home and then come back later in the day and try again. However, we know how stubborn runners can be and I am no exception. I don't give up that easily. I came to do seven miles so I was going to do those miles even if I had to walk.
I started up again and as I reached the incline to go up on the bridge, the pain went away. It must have worked itself out. Wow, that was a relief. I decided the best thing for me to do at this point would be to stop and walk a few seconds after I completed each mile. So that's what I did.
This technique worked well until a little after mile 4. The pain came back. I had to stop at a little memorial park along the route and stretch it out. This park is right along the sidewalk and I'm sure those who were driving by thought I was weird to be standing there stretching but I didn't care.
My new plan was to try to run until mile 5 and then just walk the remaining 2 miles. Once again, as I continued to run, the knee got better and I was able to finish out the 5th mile and still do the last two without walking.
When I got back to the park I made sure to do more stretching and then I found a picnic table and did some leg lifts. I don't know what is going on with this knee! I'm not surprised though and I probably do deserve an injury because I have been running without doing much stretching or strength training.
Of course like always, this is such a bad time now to have an issue because as you may know I am doing the Baltimore Marathon relay on Saturday! I think the best thing for me to do is lay off running this week (or do real short runs or run walks), and do plenty of stretching instead. -M
We will be linking up with the gals from TOTR.
20 comments:
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What a freaking pain! I'm sorry your knee hurts. I agree with you, just take it easy this week. You have a base, you will be fine.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the pain. Hopefully the extra rest will pay off this week, and that you'll be able to run the relay as planned.
ReplyDeleteWow! I hope that pain was just a fluke and leaves on the next train out of town!
ReplyDeleteOh no! Hope you figure the knee issue out. Yeah, lay off and hope you have a great race day!
ReplyDeleteI hope your knee is ok! It sounds so random so hopefully it will go away as quickly as it came on.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure that's not ITB pain? Sounds exactly like what mine felt like. Roll the heck out of that sucker and ice it. I agree with giving it total rest until race day. Fingers crossed for you!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely rest until your race this weekend. A little ice and heat combo works well too.
ReplyDeleteDang, I'm sorry the entire run wasn't as amazing as that first mile! Rest and roll that leg and hopefully whatever it was will go away in time for your race.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry to hear about your knee pain. I hope that it gets better and I agree with doing total rest until the race.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, knees can just be cranky. :( I hope it's feeling better and that the pain stays away.
ReplyDeleteSee an eagle is always way cool!
OUchies!! Can you ice it? Last time I had knee pain, I wore compression socks, and that seemed to help.
ReplyDeleteyou still stuck with it! Way to go! Can't wait for Saturday!
Eek! I hope your knee gets better for the race, and hope you at least have a short leg to do.
ReplyDeleteHow cool that you saw an eagle and you were feeling so good even with 100% humidity! Boo to the knee pain but I'm glad it seemed to work itself out by the end of the run. Fingers crossed it stays away.
ReplyDeletePains are such a pain in the A$$, right??? They always rear their ugly heads at the absolute worst times ...but then again, is there ever a good time for a runner to experience running related pain??? Hope it goes away with some rest and you have a great relay leg this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI do know how stubborn us runners can be. I hope you're able to stretch and foam roll to target that pain. I do use short run/walk intervals to keep my IT band happy.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's scary...phantom pain that you've never experienced before? I hope it's a one-time thing....take care!!
ReplyDeleteHope that pain was just a one run problem. I swear, sometimes our bodies just like to mess with our minds.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I hope the pain in your knee goes away. Hopefully resting, stretching and rolling will help sort it out.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your knee...I hate pains that come from nowhere, feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you - I think take it easier the next few days and lots and lots of stretching before and after any of your runs. I found that's what got me through my knee issues! Gosh, so sorry to hear that and crossing fingers it stays okay for your marathon relay!
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