Some one please talk me in off the ledge….I’m nine days from Philly and now my left knee decides is the time to not cooperate!
It was a little sore after Sunday’s race but nothing a little ice couldn’t take care of. By Monday it felt fine and after I went for a Thai massage I was feeling really pretty good. During Tuesday’s hill repeats it started to feel a little wonky (yes that’s a technical term) but by that point I only had one more repeat to go and it wasn’t a screaming pain, so I just stuck it out and finished. It was fine again yesterday until I stepped off a curb and whamo, back came the wonky feeling, but more intense this time. Back to rest and ice last night. It definitely felt funky this morning but I had just 3 x 1600 repeats on the plan, so I headed to the track anyways. The warm-up was ok, but 800 meters into the first repeat I pulled up gimpy. I tried to walk it off but my knee wasn’t having it. Just as I was debating what to do, it started to rain…I took it as a sign and got back in my car.
What’s really got me panicked is that this isn’t the usual discomfort related to my ITB – this pain is on the other side of the knee starting just above the knee cap and running down to my inner calf. WTH?! OK, no check that – what’s really got me panicked is that I’m nine days away from my next half and now this flares up!
I’m really trying not to freak out here….as you can see I’m doing a bang up job so far! Above all I had wanted to go into this race feeling strong and confident in my legs….I have an easy run scheduled for tomorrow and then a pseudo longish run of 9 for Saturday, but I’m not sure what I’ll end up with.
So anyone want to talk me down? I’m all ears!
Hope whatever is going on goes away soon. I’d say only do what feels OK, don’t push it since you are close and then hope it’ll be 100% by race day!
Do you have an ART therapist or anything? Take it easy. You have done the training and you should be fine:)
I definitely tend to err on the side of caution with stuff, so if it were me, I would do the following:
1) rest – you’ve done your training
2) consider seeing someone to make sure there’s not something REALLY bad going on that your run could trigger
3) if you can still run and plan to do your 1/2, conjure up a Plan Z to allow for lots of walk/stretch breaks. This means potentially throwing away time goals 🙁
Ugh, I’ve kinda been there. Had an achilles strain a couple weeks before my very first 1/2 (more time than you have, I know). It’s such a bummer.
I hope it all goes well for you.
Oh that absolutely stinks! I’m so sorry. I would say this…your training is there. Now all you can really do is try to get the leg better. Don’t worry about sitting out some days to rest. Trying to push through will only aggravate things.
Keeping my fingers crossed!
Oh man…I so feel your pain. Hope you can get it figured out in time for the half!
Oh no Michelle!! I would take it easy and give your body time to heal. You’ve put in the training and you’re so ready!!
I’m hoping it’s just one of those phantom taper ailments that is more in our heads than an actual pain…I seem to have every single ache and pain in taper mode. Just gotta believe in your training and trust all the work you’ve done. Be strong!! 🙂
You all rock so much – thank you for the calming words of encouragement! I so appreciate it!!