Week 6 - Day 5

It's been a disappointing week so far - mostly because I seemed to have developed runner's knee. It's annoying really because it makes you cautious about your running, but it doesnt hurt when you run - just before and after. And the before and after pain, while not debilitating, is very bothersome. And it's frustrating because I can't get my miles in for the week. I've just gone for one run this entire week and that was only 3 miles! My only consolation is that I still managed to fit some hill training into there but the knee makes me extra cautious.

At first we thought it might be psychological pain - one of the famous 'taper traps' that runners fall into before the big day. And I did notice going through some of those changes. In the final weeks leading up to the race, you're so acutely aware of the changes your body is going through: the slightest stomach ache, muscle soreness or joint pain is enough to induce a mini anxiety attack. Will I be able to run? Will this get aggravated? Oh, I better rest. And while rest is good, too much of it makes you rusty and rusty makes the chances of injury higher and there you go getting yourself caught up in a viscious circle.

But coming back to the story: so we thought it might be that and I did venture the 3 mile run in on Wednesday. I've been icing regularly since Tuesday, (today is Friday by the way) and the pain did not go away till last night. So thats when we figured okay.. something else is going on here. We figured we'd try the hot treatment instead and I'm glad to say I've woken up today pain-free!! No stiffness either!! Finally a solution!! So I'm headed off to the gym - I haven't had much exercise this week at all and while I can't run today (tomorrow is the big run), I still need to get legs back to performance form. So the plan is to hit the stairmaster for about an hour followed by some lunges, squats and ab work.

For the coming weeks, to prevent runner's knee cropping up again, I'll be building hill interval work into my shorter runs during the week and I'll regularly do the squats and lunges to strengthen my muscles. I can't afford to not run the entire week and then just go all out on weekends. Not good. Ugh.. I think I'm just a little frustrated - I miss going to the gym, I miss the adrenaline and the endorphins.. I can't wait for 9 am to get here so I can leave home and get my workout groove on!!!

Tomorrow's challenge: 10 miles!

Today's power song (I don't have it yet on my ipod but I'm SO wishing I did): Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night by the Black Eyed Peas..

I gotta feeling.. wooohoooo
That tonight's gonna be a good night...
That tonight's gonna be a good night..
woohoooooo