Running to stay sane

I went and saw my orthopedic doctor this morning and he's pretty sure I have a good case of runners knee. He pushed, pulled, stretched my knee and said the point of pain is on the outside edge of the petallar tendon so that's why my pain is on the outer knee cap and not directly under like most people have. Ice, rest, stretch, blah, blah, blah...

I decided to see where my pain level was at since I haven't run in a few days and I was able to go about 2 miles before it hurt. The last mile was painful and I struggled to get home. Looks like it's going to be a slow/long process.

5 miles with hardly any knee pain! Wahoo! But I'm still going to take it easy. I could tell the "issue" is still there but getting better. I felt completely fine for 2.5 miles and then I could feel my knee start to hurt but it never got bad! 7:15 AP.

This is my self diagnosis: After St. George, my quads/hamstrings were really tight and sore. Although I took the first couple weeks pretty easy, I ran an 8 miler in St. George where I ran up and down a really steep hill twice. I think this did a number on my hamstring because it was hurting really bad by the end of the 8 miles. I think this pulled my IT band and knee out of allignment. Thus, I started having knee pain and IT band issues. After taking about 2 weeks off, cross training (easy spinning), stretching everyday, foam roller everyday, ice 2-3 times a day, glute/hip/quad/hamstring exercises 2-3 times a week...I think it's "starting" to get better. Crossing my fingers! But I'm still going to take it easy next week. Maybe run 3 times and still do 3-5 miles.

Warmed up on the spin bike for 5 minutes then stretched my hamstrings, quads and IT bands. I did 30 iron crosses (my new FAVORITE stretch for my hips, back and glutes!). Then I ran a slow 5 miles at 7:40 AP. It was super cold and my body did not want to run any faster.  My knee felt good until mile 2 and then it started to hurt. Not bad enough to stop but then it got better the last mile. Weird. I am really working on my form and I think it's helping. Seems like knee problems are all over the running community. Be careful out there...the knee bug just might get you too! :p

Bryant didn't feel well today so he called in sick from work which meant I got to run at 2:00 pm! The weather was SO nice! I wore a sports bra and shorts. Probably the last time this outfit will happen until next summer! I ran 7 miles at Wheeler Farm and I'm happy to report that my knee did ok! It did hurt a little bit but, once again, I was able to finish and didn't have to slow my pace. Crossing my fingers that it's smooth sailing from here on out! 7 miles at 7:20 pace.

Emily, I might be calling you for a run on Saturday :)

I have been sick the past 2 days and I felt like crap today while running. My chest congestion made it hard to breathe! But, I was able to run and it did feel good to get my blood moving after being stuck at home for a few days. 4.5 miles at 7:30 AP.

7 miles on a cold, windy morning. My knee did it's usual thing...felt good until mile 2.5 then kinda bugged me until mile 5 and then was ok until the end. I coughed a lot and didn't feel very good. This sickness is going to be around for a while. 7 miles at 7:30 AP.

I took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and ran at 2:00 pm. 6.1 miles around Murray and my knee felt the best it has in weeks! 7:10 AP.

Quick run this morning after Kaden went to school and before I had to drop off Lily at preschool. It was really warm! My legs felt tired and my knee was a little upset so I just ran 4.5 miles at a slow pace. 7:30 AP.

Rainy, cold run through Holladay. Nothing too exciting. Just trying to get my knee back to 100% and taking things easy. 7:30 AP.

I kind of felt "normal" today which is promising. I posted on the wrong day on Wednesday because I actually ran 6 miles yesterday, 4 today and I'll attempt a longer run tomorrow. This will be the first time in weeks that I'll run 3 days in a row. Fingers crossed. :) 7:15 AP.
 

I met Emily at Cottonwood Complex and we ran a few laps around the horse park. It was nice to run on the dirt and grass but it was not nice that every dog owner had their dog off leash!! A few dogs got in our way and one dog almost charged Emily. We left the park and ran along Murray Holladay Road to Walker Lane then down Spring Lane to 1300 East and back to the cars.

I was a little nervous to run with someone this morning. I was nervous that my knee wasn't going to hold up. But I'm really happy that I was able to run 10 miles with little pain! Thanks for the great run Emily! :)

On a side note, Emily and I talked about getting all the girls together on the FRB and going for a run sometime soon. I think it sounds like a lot of fun! We'll keep you ladies posted :)

I was encouraged by my 10 miler on Saturday and decided to run a little farther than normal today. 8 miles and it felt pretty good. My knee didn't hurt until mile 4.5 and then it wasn't bad. It was really cold which didn't help my joints. I felt like an old lady trying to warm up my knees/hips Ha! 8 miles at 7:20 AP.
 

6 miles around Wheeler Farm. I decided to do 5x1 minute pushes. My knee didn't like them...I wish I could have done more but 5 was all I could do safely. Beautiful day! :) 7:03 AP.

1 hour spin. Just playing it safe because I want to have a good run tomorrow for Turkey Day!

A beautiful Turkey Day run with Emily. We ran around Wheeler Farm and then around Murray Park. It was a nice morning. I'm thankful to have such a great running buddy. I always enjoy my runs with Emily! :) Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 7:20 AP

4.5 miles through my hood. My knee was upset at me after a couple miles. I guess the 10 miles the day before was a little much. 7:10 AP.

10 miles with Emily on the Jordan River Parkway. It was cold and I felt SUPER tired. I only got 3 hours of sleep last night and I was dragging. I could tell Emily wanted to run faster but I was giving it all I had. She ran an extra 2 miles for 12 but 10 was plenty for me today. Nothing too eventful happened except a guy saw me peeing. I'm sure I made his morning extra special ;) 10 miles 7:19 AP.