Saturday, April 24, 2010

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!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

glad that the doc gave you the okay to run. those trips are always so scary!

and i'd be willing to bet that you still rock the marathon. i've always found that by taking the pressure off of a race due to unforeseen circumstances (like i had to do with my shins and youre doing with the knee) life always finds a way to surprise you.

that said, i'm still sending good vibes to your knee to behave itself!

Evolving Through Running said...

Best of luck with your race, and I hope your knee behaves itself. If all the doctor can tell you is that you're training too hard, I consider that a very successful trip. I'm sidelined with a bum knee right now, and every day wake up hoping for that big jump in progress where the pain just goes away. Today wasn't that day ... maybe tomorrow.

Questionably Texan said...

Glad that you got the go ahead to run. Very good news. Hope it stays pain-free for you.

I'm (obviously) not a doctor, but I don't see the need to "surrender your professional ego" by seeing an ortho. You specialized in one area, the ortho in another. Doesn't make you less of a doc to see another specialist.

Running and living said...

I am so happy the knee is OK and you will be able to race your marathon next week. Don't listen to anyone telling you to "settle" for the half marathon. I, too, am much better fitted for shorted distances, but that may be bc I have always done less mileage compared to the average marathoner. Now your mileage is up, you did tons of speed, and you are ready to get your sub 3. The body is all trained, now all there is left is a little rest, figuring out a race plan, and dealing with the dread of the last week of taper!!! Good luck!

Anne said...

Phew! Very glad the good dr gave you the okay. Now, how that's gonna fix overtraining, I don't know ;)

Julie said...

Hi Lam,
Good luck to you with your marathon! I hope that your knee cooperates and all will be fantastic! You are going to do great...you just watch and see:) I am looking forward to your race report! Take care Lam:)

Brian Morrissey said...

assuming you rest up the next week, i'm sure you're set up to go under 3, probably quite a bit. missing a week of speed work won't matter that much. you've had a great streak of training. trust that to carry you through in nj. have fun and unleash hell. btw, did you try out the kt tape?

The Boring Runner said...

Glad to hear that you've received the thumbs up to run!

I agree with your comments in the post about risking the race over a non-PR effort - esp if you were looking to hit a sub 3. But, i'm hurt all the time so I am overly cautious!

carpeviam said...

All the best!

Can we track?

Jamie said...

Glad to hear you got the okay to run and the knee is cooperating now. I have a feeling you are going to rock the race!

Bill Carter said...

Hi LL

So, what is up with all of us getting injured this year? Could it be that we are just pushing too hard? Anyway, I think you will be just fine for your race. You have absolutely 100% put in the work and I am expecting big things in NJ.
Trust yourself and your training and I know you are going to have a great result.

Lindsay said...

i'm glad your knee is doing much better! i'm also glad you had to 'suffer' through your own doc appt- i hope he kept you waiting in the waiting room for a long time. ;-)

i'm just glad it's doing better so you don't have to dwell over whether or not to run! worst decision for a runner to have to make.

Felice Devine said...

Excellent -- glad the knee is getting better. Sending you good weather vibes!

Lisa said...

So glad to hear you can run the marathon. I know how hard it was for me to accept that I wasn't going to run the half yesterday, I can only imagine how difficult it would be for you not to run the marathon. Hope you continue to feel better throughout the week!

The Laminator said...

Thanks for the support!

@Brian - I bought some KT tape and am trying it out...thanks for the suggestion.

@carpeviem - Patience, my dear. More details later in the week =)

J said...

Ok so I am a little behind on all this. I am glad things went well for you at the doctor.

 
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