February 08, 2010

Running and Knee Pain Advice?

*I reposted this so I could have an answer box.*

When I was training for the Disney half-marathon, I had some persistent lower back pain, so I took some time off from running. I started again with theĀ Internet Runners Social Club doing an easy three-miler and then I did six miles last Monday, thinking I’d already built up a base running the half. I’ve been having some on-and-off knee pain since then (and I also wore heels on Saturday night, which I know doesn’t help.)

I’m going to a sports doctor tomorrow (is it really nerdy that I’m actually kind of excited?) for some medical advice on the matter, but I know a lot of y’all have lots of running experience (which, unfortunately, probably includes some running pains.) So I’m wondering:

  • Did I increase my mileage too fast?
  • Should I hold off until after my appointment tomorrow to go for the six miles I have scheduled for yesterday but was going to do today?
  • Are there any stretches/exercises that would help this?

My good friendĀ Eileen has torn both of her ACLs, so there is no such thing as being too cautious…but I want to run/need to train for my half! So what’s a girl to do?

  1. pearlsandflipflops answered: My knees have prevented me from running regularly until my trainer demanded that I use a foam roller on my IT band. Problem solved (mostly).
  2. midwesternerinmanhattan answered: If you’ve only done a few runs, I doubt it’s increasing your mileage too fast. But I’d hold off on running again till after you see the doc.
  3. deghanmay answered: healthytippingpoint.dre… Watch the video. totally helped me a lot.
  4. runhayleyrun answered: I suggest reading/scanning “Born to Run”. Shoes could be encouraging you to strike in a way that’s doing more harm than good.
  5. runcaitierun answered: Ice and ibuprofen. Also make sure you are stretching your IT bands - they run on the outsides of your legs from your butt to your knee.
  6. margsviachicago answered: Make sure you’re advancing your flexibility/weight training abilities as you increase your mileage — I do hot yoga and it really helps
  7. thatgirlnamedsmash answered: Yes, wait to see what the sports doc says, though if he doesn’t see anything in the x-ray, you may have to wait for an MRI.
  8. losingweightinthecity posted this
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After seven years (and probably 700,000 calories) of living in D.C., I moved to NYC in August 2008. After a few months of eating my way through the city, I realized this had to stop and nipped my temptations in the bud. Here's the story of how a girl lost 50 pounds in the most tempting city known to woman. My next big challenge is the Chicago Marathon. 10.10.10.

About me: Theodora Blanchfield is a writer living in NYC. For more information, go to theodorablanchfield.com or click here to e-mail me.

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