Did I Just Imagine that Knee Pain?
ASICS 2009 poster - Click to orderIt did happen, didn't it? Saturday? Where my right knee decided it was taking a vacation, checked out and went bye-bye?
You'd never know it. I got on the treadmill today and slammed out some speed work like it was going out of style. Not a bit of pain from the knee. Not even a twinge.
So what happened? Here's my best guess: I psyched myself out.
Early in Saturday's run, maybe around mile 7 or 8, my thoughts turned toward Boston. They weren't happy thoughts. I questioned whether I really wanted to run it. 26.2 miles is one thing when you're excited to make it happen. It's something else when you're dragging your butt to the start line. I looked at everyone around me and wished that I was almost done with my run, like they were. That I could join them for bagels and coffee instead of trudging through another 10 miles in the cold, alone. My legs were sore and I was tired. Boston did not sound fun. It sounded like something I wished I'd never signed up for. Stupid race.
Then mile 12 - knee blow out.
Well guess what? Guess who figured out that she really does want to run Boston? Guess who is ALL ABOUT kicking some Boston ass? Guess who has done a 180 degree mental flip and is ready to bring it?
That's right, me, whiny knee girl. When it was actually put before me that gee, I might be injured and not be able to run, I freaked. I would be incredibly disappointed not to run Boston at this point. I've trained, I've made friends, and I only have 8 weeks left to go. All of a sudden I am ALL ABOUT BOSTON. Which is right where I need to be.
So maybe my knee pain, while quite real, was my body's way of telling my mind to put up or shut up. Message received.
Let's hope that's all it was. Otherwise all you readers can look forward to months of moody posts about how I was soooooooo ready to nail Boston if only I hadn't been hurt. ;)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7:19 PM | Dena Harris | 6 Comments | Email Article | Share via Digg | Print Article | tagged Boston marathon 2010, FIRST training, furman plan, run less run faster, runner's knee, training for Boston marathon in Running, Things to Think About
Reader Comments (6)
Does it ever occur to you to have it xrayed or cat scan or something to make sure it's not a little more serious than you think? What if it's a torn ligament or tendon or whatever. Isn't that why there are sports doctors? Am I the only MOM HERE?!!!
If it makes you feel better, Mom, I do a lot of online reading and am surrounded by runners who are trainers or doctors or have been doctors for every running ailment under the sun. I'm a bit cynical on how much good a doctor will do - they stuff runners into orthopedics which I think often makes things worse. I'll see a doctor if/when I need one, but this isn't it. At least not yet.
I don't know if it is funnier that you are blogging at 5am...or that your Mom is blogging at midnight...
Great news...I wish I could say the same for my "Runners Knee" Mine has been hurting for about 4 or 5 weeks now....One day fine...one day I dont even want to walk. I found some info at ONR that I will email you later today. If your knee stays healthy please pass on your secret....I need it
Why is it we always realize how much we want something when it looks like we can't have it? Now tell us about that treadmill workout (and ice your knee!).
Treadmill: 1600 @ 8.4 pace, 3200 @ 8.3 pace, 2 x 800 @ 8.7 pace. To quote Katie, "what sadist makes this stuff up???"