12 Miles I Shouldn't Have Run

My Longest Run Ever
Today was our 12-mile group run. This is the longest run I've done to date. I was wrong when I said in my last blog that we were going to run past Torrey Pines Golf Course. We actually went the opposite direction and headed north along the 101.

In spite of the trouble I had been having with my knee, the run started out great! The tide was low so we were able to run along the beach (the sand was compact) for about a mile. This felt wonderful on my joints!

For the whole run, I was able to run:walk 10 miles before I really started to feel the pain in my knee flare up to a whole new level. The eleventh mile was painful but I could still keep up with the running intervals.

It's All Downhill From Here
At about the twelfth mile, it was downhill for the rest of the run. I'm sure you know that downhill running is really hard on the knees. I was in so much pain by then, I pretty much limped my way back to my car. I stretched, iced, and drank my chocolate milk before heading home.

Ouch!!
Since I've been home, the pain isn't any better. In fact, it's worse. What started out as knee pain a couple weeks ago, is now radiating from my knee and midway up my thigh. I thought it was "runners' knee" but now I'm worried that it might have something to do with my IT band... or worse, a stress fracture.

I'm very disappointed. I'm already anticipating being out of running commission for the next week, including my long run next Saturday. I know I need to give my knee/leg a chance to get better. I'm sure most of you can relate when I say that this frustrates me.

My plan for this week is to keep icing, stretching, and strengthening.

Pictures
I took my camera with me on my run today. It was overcast all morning but it was still a beautiful place to run.

Looking north... almost to the 6-mile (halfway) point.



Looking south... close to the end of the run.
This is part of the downhill mile (or so).



Anyone want to buy me this house for my birthday?!

Comments

Unknown said…
Sara, better get a professional to take a look at that knee (or - at the very least - take a break with the knee). Revising your short-term plan will be far less "painful" than trashing an entire season. I appreciate your guts, but hate to see you - in the course of training - derail your plans and demoralize yourself.

Pictures are beautiful. I was thinking about getting you the house, but didn't want to see you on the news when mudslide season starts!

Mark
I couldn't have said it any better than Mark Berry did. I second his opinion to go see a doctor. It sounds pretty serious. I ignored my pain last year, finally went to the doctor, and after 2 months of rest and physical therapy was back to running. It was worth it to do that in the end. Good luck!
Oz Runner said…
congrats on the distance PR, nice pics, looks like a great place to run...

sorry about the knee pain...definitely smart to rest up for at least a week, if not more...I heard a stat that you only lose like 4-6% of your conditioning by taking a week off...2 weeks goes to like 8-10% or something...your don't lose as much conditioning as you think you might, and your body will be better off for the break...
Unknown said…
Please go see a doctor and preferably get a referal to a specialist. I ran through knee pain last year and it was a big mistake. You need to figure out what is wrong and get that fixed so you can run in the future.

hugs
Glenn Jones said…
What they all said! Find a doctor that is a Sports Medicine Specialist! Check the SD RnR Marathon webpage to find out who is the race Medical Director. They will understand your need/desire to run and be more willing to give you a course of therapy that keeps that in mind. Also, check out http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net - click through your symptoms to get an idea about what might be wrong. Good luck and take it easy for a few days!
joyRuN said…
Ack! Hope that knee pain is nothing super-serious!! You won't know until you get it checked out though.

I'm in love with that house myself :)
Mel-2nd Chances said…
as the others mentioned, get it checked out! I'm so so sorry you're it such pain! Sending speedy healing vibes, keep us posted!
Aka Alice said…
Hi Sara! I found your blog through Glenn Jones blog. That hill out of Torrey Pines is BRUTAL! I've run it several times, and you're right, the downhill is way more difficult than the uphill part. I'll agree with everyone here who says to see someone about your knee, since it sounds like you've got classic IT band issues...lots of ice massage (like 4 or 5 times a day) helps. Let me know if you want the name of the San Diego Track Club physical therapist. I've been seeing him for my IT band (although all my pain has been in my upper hip) and Plantar Fascitiis (I'm a wreck this year). He's in PB and he's awesome!
Kristen said…
I just found your blog and have really enjoyed reading it thus far.

Agreeing with what everyone else has said, taking a week or so off to let your knee heal is much better than being forced to take the season. We all get frusterated when we are unable to accomplish our running plans, however, taking a day here and there for health will only make us stronger and better in the end.

I am jealous of your beautiful run!
Anonymous said…
Beautiful pictures!

Definitely get the knee looked at and take a break for a while! Hope it's something that heals quickly!
P.S. I'm SOOOO jealous about your scenic run!!

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