Why Does My Knee Hurt?

It was August before I knew it.  I had been continuing to build mileage despite my ailments. After completing the Striders 18-mile buildup run in mid-August, I was psyched and looking forward to the 20-mile buildup run a week later. Completing a 20-mile run would be such a confidence booster and give me experience in managing long runs. 

The day before the 20-mile buildup, a Friday, was a strength training day for me.  During that workout I started to experience severe pain in my left knee when performing certain exercises.  So much so, that I had to modify or skip some single leg weight bearing motions.  I didn’t panic, aches and pains come and go.  I’m sure it will be fine by tomorrow morning.

 

It was still painful with certain motions Friday night.  I was intent on doing that 20-miler.  I took some ibuprofen hoping it was just some inflammation and went to bed.  I got up Saturday morning and went through my normal rituals, packed up my stuff and headed down to the Milwaukee Lakefront to join the Striders.  After parking, I got out of the car and started to jog over to the restrooms.  OUCH!  I could not sustain a running motion without severe pain in my left knee.  There was no way I could even start a 20-mile run.  I sheepishly walked back to my car, waited for all the runners to start off, then drove home.

 

Upon reaching home, I immediately opened my medical library, YouTube, and searched for knee pain.  I quickly narrowed down my pain to either osteoarthritis (from being old) or runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain).  Either self-diagnosis was good news, no damage, just wear and tear that should be expected from long distance running.  Since runner’s knee was the more promising to resolve, I focused on that.  I found some sensible treatment advice that focused on massage, rolling, and gentle manipulation … and rest of course. 




 

I also found a “return to running with runner’s knee” video that offered sensible advice on how to ease back into running while monitoring discomfort level.  By Monday, two days after my aborted 20-miler, I was running again.  But now I had this lingering concern that my knee could act up at any time.  One more thing to cast doubt on my ability to complete Dopey.

 



 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Journal 13-Mar-2023

Today was the last day before I take a little break from the rigor of the exercise routine I have been doing for the past few weeks.  We leave for Sedona, Arizona, tomorrow.  I week of hiking and exploring Sedona and the surrounding area.  I’ll still be active, just not focused on trying to magically fix my hip pain. I went through my PT repertoire today.  I feel that I continue to get more effective at performing some of the more difficult ones.  I also continue to feel a transformation in the muscles around my hips, especially in my glutes.  But I also have moments of discomfort indicative of FAI or a labral tear.  I am going to let this upcoming travel adventure be a distraction from always thinking about my hip.  I am tired of wondering if I am doing, or not doing, the right thing to encourage healing.
Read more

Training in Wisconsin for runDisney Marathon Week

Image
RunDisney Marathon Week takes place in early January in typically warm and relatively dry Central Florida.  When you live in Southeast Wisconsin, however, the peak of your training is in December, when Old Man Winter is knocking on the door and trying to move in.  You must be prepared to adjust to the weather.  It could be okay, 40°-50°F and sunny.  It could be terrible with snow, ice, and temperatures well below freezing.  It’s always preferrable to run outside, if possible, but sometimes conditions make it too risky.  Hitting a slippery spot while running could result in season ending injury.  Guessing incorrectly what to wear to stay warm but not overheat can result in a very unpleasant run.   One must have alternatives.  Normally in winter I would just postpone a run if the weather was not cooperating.   But once you start a 4-day Dopey Simulation, postponing is not an option. ...
Read more

Setting Sights on the Bolder Boulder 10K

Image
  Traveling to Boulder, Colorado, to participate in the Bolder Boulder 10K had become a bi-annual event for us.  Cat’s sister lives in Boulder, within walking distance of Colorado University, so it is both a running adventure and a family event.   In 2017 I finished in just under 51 minutes, an 8:12 pace.  In 2019, I finished in 53:30, an 8:37 pace.  Age took a little toll over those two years.  Then the pandemic hit, and we skipped 2021.  Now in 2032, four years later, we are reviving the tradition.  But age and COVID-19 have taken more of a toll, and I will be happy if I can finish in under an hour.  That would be a 9:41 pace.  Based on my current pace that may be a stretch especially with the high altitude.   But I am starting to run more consistently.  My Heart Rate at the same pace seems to be coming down slowly.  That should give me a little room to inc...
Read more