Finally, An Injury Update

Yes, boys and girls, I know I've been MIA from blogging for a week, and yes, I know you all were wanting for an update about the knee. But honestly, while the rest of the running world were buzzing from the fantastic elite finishes and great individual performances at Boston, I was trying hard to go the other way, and not talk or think at all about running, racing, or marathons because there was a real possibility (earlier this week) that I would not be participating in such activities for a while. You see, my friends, after the last time we spoke, my R knee absolutely blew up the next day and caused me such excruciating pain both walking and running that I surrendered my professional ego and paid a visit to the orthopedist yesterday. Prior to my ortho visit, the curbside advice I got from others who took interest and looked at my knee was to set my sights on the half or not run at all. "Why risk further injuring your knee and be out for several months for a shot at a time that you likely will not get anyway? Wouldn't it be better to rest and recovery and get faster at the shorter races during the summer?" Since I was walking with pain as late as Wednesday, I was in no position to argue with their assessment.

However, after Wednesday, when I subconsciously accepted the prospect that DNS or DNF might be a real possibility and the safer option in a week, my knee suddenly began to feel incrementally better. I ran some slow miles with a friend on Thurday and by the time I went to the ortho doc on Friday, there was no limp, there was no pain and all I wanted to do more than anything was run away. But more for my own curiosity than anything, I stayed. He prodded my knee and told me that I was overtraining and overracing (Duh!). He also told me that my bicep tendons in my hamstrings were way sore. But most importantly, he gave me permission to run the marathon and told me I was in no danger of reaggravating or damaging the knee just by running. I was so happy coming out of that office that I was willing to kiss everybody and anybody who offered their well wishes and support. Woohoo!

So that's about how it stands now. My knee has remained relatively quiet and we're back on for the New Jersey Marathon. I will do my last long run of 12 miles tomorrow and hope that it will be enough to carry me to the finish line in a week. I'm not sure about my sub-3 goal anymore since I haven't had quality speedwork or tempo run in a week or two and I'm hesitant to try faster paced workout in this last week before race day (less I get more injured again!) So pacing for me will strictly be a game time decision. Let me get through this final week of taper first!

Thanks to all of you who took time to be concerned about my knee. I think the positive vibes you all sent likely contributed to its quick and speedy recovery. Now if you can get the weather gods to cooperate and give us racers a beautiful sunny day with no precipitation in a week, that would be super!

At any rate, congrats to the racers racing this weekend and those who went to Boston and came back with a blue commemorative medal with a unicorn on the front. You are all individually and collectively very inspiring! Congrats again!