I had the diagnosis on my knee last week. The good news is there’s no visible damage or deterioration to the inner workings so no need for an operation. That’s actually really good news as there’s a family history of arthritis, especially in knees. The not so good news is that it’s “anterior knee pain” – a non-specific pain which is very common, but for which practical treatments are largely unknown. The knee specialist’s advice? “Live with the pain!” Brilliant. Apparently running on it will not do it any more harm, but may hurt. Currently it’s manageable, but I may be looking at purchasing shares in Nurofen as time goes by……
Following that gem on Monday, last week broadly went to plan. My legs are still feeling heavy on the uphills, but then once it flattens off or goes downhill slightly I feel I could run forever (more or less). If it goes downhill too steeply, my knee starts playing up so I’m even slower doing those sections.
It seems I got a bit carried away doing man jobs in the house last weekend though and missed my Sunday 10 miler. Very slack indeed. Though I’d like to think that 3 days over the bank holiday weekend working hard at building, plumbing, tiling, painting and decorating make up for missing a run. But then, if that was the case, surely all the Olympians would be builders, plumbers, tillers and decorators.
I even managed some cross training with a 1km swim and a bit of a cycle to and from work.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Enjoying the rest
The end of the first meso-cycle brought a welcome reduction in mileage last week. Unfortunately it also coincided with an increase in discomfort from my left knee again so the miles were reduced even more than originally planned as I felt that resting my knee would bring me greater long-term benefits at this stage of the training than an extra 8 mile run.
I’m off to the hospital next week to see about the results of my MRI scan on the knee which hopefully will determine whether there’s a real problem, and more importantly how best to deal with it. For the time being though, I’ve been enjoying the rest and the improvements in the weather.
I’m off to the hospital next week to see about the results of my MRI scan on the knee which hopefully will determine whether there’s a real problem, and more importantly how best to deal with it. For the time being though, I’ve been enjoying the rest and the improvements in the weather.
Tired
Week three of the programme brought greater distances totalling 33 this week, with 12 miles being the longest. That was run with my pack on the way to work on Thursday giving me a feeling for what lies ahead as those runs get inexorably longer.
I had a sports massage on my legs this week too which was good and seemingly needed as it hurt. A lot. There were many knots in my quads and calf muscles, though my hamstrings and Achilles’ were remarkably fine. I think this is as a result of all the hill climbing. Post massage the 12 miler to work and subsequently the 10 mile early morning jolly round Derwent & Howden Reservoirs were far more tolerable so I think I’ll be signing up for more rub downs in the future, however painful they are at the time.
Biggest downside to this week was my knee starting to feel sore again. Not sure if this is down to new shoes, tired legs, increasing mileage or recurrence of the original injury from February.
I had a sports massage on my legs this week too which was good and seemingly needed as it hurt. A lot. There were many knots in my quads and calf muscles, though my hamstrings and Achilles’ were remarkably fine. I think this is as a result of all the hill climbing. Post massage the 12 miler to work and subsequently the 10 mile early morning jolly round Derwent & Howden Reservoirs were far more tolerable so I think I’ll be signing up for more rub downs in the future, however painful they are at the time.
Biggest downside to this week was my knee starting to feel sore again. Not sure if this is down to new shoes, tired legs, increasing mileage or recurrence of the original injury from February.
Monday, 10 May 2010
So far, so good
Well, all appears to be going well. I've increased the mileage to 31 this week, included a hill training session and the long run is up to 10 miles. The knee is not protesting too much either which is good.
My birthday this week resulted in a shiny new pair of trainers, a new backpack (a popular model amongst MdS veterans) and some funky Injinji socks which fit your feet like gloves with little toe pockets. The claim is that they reduce blisters by stopping your toes rubbing together. Two 10 mile runs in them (and the new trainers) have resulted in no blisters, so maybe there's something in it.
Was also up in Edinburgh overnight at the weekend for a friend's 40th so I had to do some shuffling of the training programme to ensure I wasn't trying to run 10 miles with a potentially large hangover. Fortunately, I was able to run on Saturday morning before we left Sheffield, and even better luck; the hangover never materialised. All in all, a good week.
My birthday this week resulted in a shiny new pair of trainers, a new backpack (a popular model amongst MdS veterans) and some funky Injinji socks which fit your feet like gloves with little toe pockets. The claim is that they reduce blisters by stopping your toes rubbing together. Two 10 mile runs in them (and the new trainers) have resulted in no blisters, so maybe there's something in it.
Was also up in Edinburgh overnight at the weekend for a friend's 40th so I had to do some shuffling of the training programme to ensure I wasn't trying to run 10 miles with a potentially large hangover. Fortunately, I was able to run on Saturday morning before we left Sheffield, and even better luck; the hangover never materialised. All in all, a good week.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
It's the final countdown. Well, nearly.
99 weeks to go and the end of the first full week of "proper" training.
The half marathon was, as expected, hard work. I managed the race rather badly and went off too fast trying to keep up with my wife Angie, but conceded defeat at 10 miles and limped home in 1 hour 56 mins. Still it was under 2 hours which was the target so I can't really complain I guess.
This week has been the first week of properly following a programme of sorts. Cobbled together over a curry and a pint with Richard, we've got ourselves a plan - it's fairly flexible and may change as we progress, but we have something to work to. And so far so good. The week culminated in a fantastic 10 miler round the Derwent Reservoir feeling good and enjoying being out in the early morning fresh air.
No knee problems to report, one or two blisters which are a hangover from the half marathon and legs that are a bit shocked by the distances increasing a little, but all good so far. Let's hope it lasts another 99 weeks.
The half marathon was, as expected, hard work. I managed the race rather badly and went off too fast trying to keep up with my wife Angie, but conceded defeat at 10 miles and limped home in 1 hour 56 mins. Still it was under 2 hours which was the target so I can't really complain I guess.
This week has been the first week of properly following a programme of sorts. Cobbled together over a curry and a pint with Richard, we've got ourselves a plan - it's fairly flexible and may change as we progress, but we have something to work to. And so far so good. The week culminated in a fantastic 10 miler round the Derwent Reservoir feeling good and enjoying being out in the early morning fresh air.
No knee problems to report, one or two blisters which are a hangover from the half marathon and legs that are a bit shocked by the distances increasing a little, but all good so far. Let's hope it lasts another 99 weeks.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
First Race of 2010
It’s been touch and go whether I’d make it to this Sunday’s Sheffield Half Marathon but it’s looking like I’ll be lining up with 5,499 others for the 13.1 miles through Sheffield’s streets.
My last post before Christmas promised more effort, more focus, more training. In the immortal words of Meatloaf, two out of three ain’t bad. I’ve certainly been pretty focused, and it’s seemed like a lot of effort but as for more training, well……..
It all started so well with regular runs to and from work in January, despite the snow. I took it nice and steady, with a good slow build up, and then in early Feb something happened inside my knee which meant I was unable to run for a month. Trips to physio, GP and knee specialist determined it’s most likely a meniscal tear. I’m awaiting the results of a recent MRI scan on it to determine the next steps (excuse the pun).
Despite this, a long weekend of snowboarding, a bout of tonsillitis and further winter ailments, I’m back running and hoping for the best. There’s no pain as such now when I run (not in the knee at least) but it feels a bit odd, kind of tight and a bit tender. I gave it a real wallop when snowboarding too which hasn’t helped so I’m not sure if it’s the aftermath of that, or something linked to the original injury. I’ve only stretched the training runs to 75 mins max so far so the half marathon should be an interesting test – I’m certainly not aiming for a PB.
My last post before Christmas promised more effort, more focus, more training. In the immortal words of Meatloaf, two out of three ain’t bad. I’ve certainly been pretty focused, and it’s seemed like a lot of effort but as for more training, well……..
It all started so well with regular runs to and from work in January, despite the snow. I took it nice and steady, with a good slow build up, and then in early Feb something happened inside my knee which meant I was unable to run for a month. Trips to physio, GP and knee specialist determined it’s most likely a meniscal tear. I’m awaiting the results of a recent MRI scan on it to determine the next steps (excuse the pun).
Despite this, a long weekend of snowboarding, a bout of tonsillitis and further winter ailments, I’m back running and hoping for the best. There’s no pain as such now when I run (not in the knee at least) but it feels a bit odd, kind of tight and a bit tender. I gave it a real wallop when snowboarding too which hasn’t helped so I’m not sure if it’s the aftermath of that, or something linked to the original injury. I’ve only stretched the training runs to 75 mins max so far so the half marathon should be an interesting test – I’m certainly not aiming for a PB.
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Back where I started
So, as 2009 draws to a close, a moment’s reflection on what progress I’ve made since signing up in April……..if I’m honest, not a lot on the fitness front. Things kind of got taken over by the building work which started at home in June and has literally only finished this week.
The limited blog entries thus far tell a tale of good intentions, one or two false starts and ultimately not many steps in the right direction. I’ve had a couple of notable additions with the Rat Race and Three Peaks, but the OMM never happened in October as Richard had confirmed man-flu and so we weren’t able to take part.
And as I sit at my computer today, in the run up to Christmas having been in the pub almost every night since last week, my body is bracing itself for another 8 days of gluttony and good living but rest assured, 2010 will see a marked shift in focus and attention with hopefully corresponding changes is fitness and lard levels.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
The limited blog entries thus far tell a tale of good intentions, one or two false starts and ultimately not many steps in the right direction. I’ve had a couple of notable additions with the Rat Race and Three Peaks, but the OMM never happened in October as Richard had confirmed man-flu and so we weren’t able to take part.
And as I sit at my computer today, in the run up to Christmas having been in the pub almost every night since last week, my body is bracing itself for another 8 days of gluttony and good living but rest assured, 2010 will see a marked shift in focus and attention with hopefully corresponding changes is fitness and lard levels.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
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