Currently training for a HM on 15th September, and so far the training has been going very well. As my long run (19k) went well last week, I decided to see if I could make 20k today, before my 2 week taper starts (down to 16k next week, and then just teeny tiny runs the week before). The run itself went well; I felt strong and happy (because after all this recent heat, it was raining, and much cooler!) But disaster struck at 18k - I had a sharp shooting pain under my left knee cap. Now, I know my body well enough by now to know that this was not the usual aches and pains I sometimes get from long distances, so I stopped and walked a bit. When I started to run again – ouch! The pain came back. It even radiated down my calf, which made me even more sure this was not normal. Idiot that I am, I did complete the run and made 20k, by running much slower – but with a little pain.
A quick Google points towards runners' knee. Drat. Last thing a gal wants 2 weeks before her first ever race. I have never had knee pain in my whole 2 years running before, but I think I know what caused it. On very long runs, my hips can ache a wee bit after around 12km, because of the repetitive nature of running. So, I have started to, for a short distance, raise my knees a little more when running, to change the gait. It does relieve the hip ache significantly, but I do believe that this ridiculous prancing has more impact on the knee, and this is what has caused the knee pain. I feel such an idiot jeopardising my HM with this. I can walk on it, and it is not swollen, but something must be wrong to cause this pain when running.
I am resting and icing and will do a short test run on Saturday to see what the situation is. If it still hurts, then off to the physio I will trot (or mince).
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this, and what the outcome was?
Sadie-does-not-run xxx
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Sadie-runs
Half Marathon
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Oh no! Go and see a sport physio or other asap. I hurt my knee walking the path to santiago, I think for me it was not resting, heat, not enough cushioning and need of more hydration. Because of where i was i still had to walk 20km on it. The dr thought it was inflammation of inner ligament or something but basically as soon as you have a pain you must 🛑 stop ✋. It’s not an ache as you say so going on it not going to help. (I can be bossy). Anyway do go and see a specialist straight away so you can be put back to working order for the HM. Goodnluck and let us know how you get on!! X
Eeeeek! You had to walk 20km on a sore knee?! You poor thing!
I iced the minute I got home, and am resting now. I will get a sports physio appointment, as I have no time to lose. Just so gutting after almost 12 weeks of good training. Thank you for replying. x
I can’t believe imagine. I’d set off for 700km walk and well plans changed which is hard mentally. The sooner you see someone the faster you’ll mend. Keeping everything crossed for minor problem!
Yes that 20km felt like well blinking far and it was boiling.
Oh Sadie, that’s such a shame as you’re so close to the run now.😳 Let’s hope the icing helps to improve things.🙂👍
Just take things very carefully if/when you get out again. My physio worked wonders for me so hopefully yours will too if needed.
I’m getting towards the end of my HM training too so I’m a bit worried how my body will cope with the longer distances. I’m just taking things slow and steady and keeping fingers crossed🤞
I’m using my hydration vest for the first time this afternoon and hoping it will help💦
Very best of luck with everything. Take care and hopefully you’ll be out there again soon x
Oh Sadieeeeee, no that’s such a shame. I hope more than anything that it’s something minor and you can still run your HM. All that training you’ve done. 😩
I came a cropper running last week (I think you saw the post) falling down a hole a couple of days before my 10k race. Fortunately I lucked out big style and it didn’t hinder me. Here’s hoping yours is a temporary blip. 🤞🤞🤞
It really is. After all that bloody training! I am going to try not to panic too much until after I have seen a physio. I do tend to get rather dramatic about things – but that is mostly because of impending race. I got a "final details" email from them this morning too. Pffft. Hope you are feeling better after you running fall, you poor thing. xxx
Sadie - I had runners knee last year. But I couldn’t put any weight on it at all. Physio taped it up and I was off running for a week and took me a good few weeks to get back to full strength. BUT google won’t have the answer. If you’re still in pain go see a physio as could be anything. Mine was down to weak glutes and repetitive hill work.
Oh Alka, I didn't know that you had this. It was VERY painful when it came on during running, but I can bear weight, and it just feels a little tender when I stretch it. Going to see if I can get in to see someone Friday, just to get a proper diagnosis and advice.
Mine didn’t hurt till the day after. Was agony which eased after a massage but was very weak. Sounds like it could be something different though. 🤞🤞🤞 xx
Oh no! So many different things to go wrong in your knee, it really would be good to get a physio opinion. Even if it clears with icing over a few days, it would be good to know what really caused it with the HM coming up so soon, and that's easier to assess while you still have some pain. Sending healing vibes and hope the ice and a few days rest is all it needs.
I've given up! I genuinely can't imagine what running is like any more. I can't imagine having any confidence in my foot! I'm not particulaly fed up about it just now - all my deadlines have been and gone - I just feel resigned ... can't believe how long its been already and it has to be at least another month before my next hosp appt, more likely getting on for two. Nothing to get excited about here 🙄
Oh I can totally understand why you wouldn’t trust your foot again, but don’t give up. Please! Such a shame you to wait so long for appointments. 🙁 You can do C25K again if needs be, once fully healed. Who knows, if I have truly wrecked my knee and out for a while, perhaps we can do it together? 👍😁 It could even be fun. I am prepared to C25K as many times as I need to; I loved it. Sending you positive thoughts and healing vibes, dear Linda. xxx
C25K again, and the magic 10k plan - they were all in my calendar. My final target was Osterley 10k booked for Dec, but I'm not even going to make that now. So, no more entries in the calendar. Just a vague some day ... but c25k it will be when the time finally comes 🙂. Hopefully you won't be out long enough to need to go back to basics 🤞
Oh no! Rest up and hope for a speedy recovery. It might be worth taking some Ibuprofen to help with the inflammation while resting. And yes, def see a sports physio (not a normal physio!). Sending hugs x
Oh no! Well you don’t need to do any more long runs now so just taper. Don’t do 16k - there’s no point. Take ibuprofen, rest and ice and hopefully it’ll be ok by your race 👍🏽
"Don't do 16k, there's no point." Just what I wanted to hear, thanks Tasha! 😂 To be honest, I am getting a bit sick of the long runs – just malaise after almost 12 weeks of training though, nothing serious. If this injury heals quick, I shall look forward to some short gentle runs leading up to the race! x
Oh no! But thank heavens for peas. Yours sounds like a twinge? (Technical term). I think we have both been running long enough now to know the difference between a twinge and a problem. Hope your knee feels much better soon; with peas and rest I am sure it will! Poor us! xxx
I fear it is more than a twinge; never felt pain like it when running! But, will do all the right things and see what happens...sigh, this running lark can take you on a real rollercoaster sometimes! Thanks Sqkr. x
Thank you everyone for your very kind replies. Normally with an injury I just rest and ice etc - anything to avoid forking out for a physio! But, as you all suggested, I have made an appointment with a sports physio for this Friday afternoon. I have trained so hard, and know I can make the distance, so have no time to lose! Thanks again, you are all fab. 😊 xxx
Oh no Sadie-runs ...so close to your HM? Blasted knees?!! But....I think with those peas, a bit of very gentle running here and there, short steps, no prancing, landing softly you will be good and ready for the day....TLC too from Mr Sadieruns. I am absolutely sure you will be fine on the day...I have a feeling you're obsessing a bit, getting worked up about it and maybe trying a little bit too hard when all you need to do is relax into your runs, you know as well as we do that you are more than capable of this...relax Sadie...you have GOT THIS!!!!!
Big hug for the knee though, I know all about knee pain xxx
Oh I do hope I will okay on the day, darling MC. Sigh. But you are right – I have been obsessing a bit.😱 This is why I have never entered a race before; I knew I would get like this; should have listened to my instincts. Never again! However, I have enjoyed the training, and it has been amazing seeing my fitness go up and up, it has given me no end of confidence as a runner. If the flipping knee gets sorted, I have no doubt I can do the distance. Typical me to bugger me knee two weeks before – you gotta laugh (a bit). Mr Sadieruns will be waiting on me hand and foot tonight (as of course I have not let on that I can walk on it fine!) Physio on Friday...
Oh I was bound to stress, Bev – I suffer a little from anxiety, so of course this would spill over into my running. I am not stressed about my running – I run like a demon now! It's the potential for injury that always stresses me out. Naught I can do about that, sadly. xxx
You have no need to stress, you just have to look back a couple of years and see how far you've come...read some of your old posts, you are a different person, you are a runner with the determination of a dog with a bone xxx you are amazing xxx
A Physio is my answer to anxiety! A diagnosis and recovery/ prevention plan (however long) , end of worry and start of the comeback. It will be a shame, to put it mildly, if you are not ready by run day, but getting it fixed, and building in protection against future problems has got to be the main focus now. Triumph of logic over feelings I know, but it works for me😊
Thanks BC. I do feel (emotionally) better since booking my appointment. What will be will be, I suppose! I have learned a lot about my running doing the training, and while it will be a shame to miss the event I have been working towards, I still have all that I have learned. 😊 Being able to run is more imports to me than some event, that much I have learned!
Oh no, sorry to hear this and so close to your HM. You seem to have a plan, so good luck with the physio appointment and fingers crossed for a quick recovery 🤞💐
Oh bugger.... that's such blinking' bad luck . I know you are so focussed on the race and obviously want to get there so much, after all your training, work and effort, you want that experience, thrill, achievement, cos you've damn well earned it! You've put in so much hard work..... But, I have to say.... 20km!!!!!! You are already there. You've already blown the bloody doors off it!!!! The rest is literally a walk in the park, you immense, amazing runner you! SO in awe of what you've achieved and gone on to do, since we were all bumbling about after C25K. Some of us still are but you gal, have run away from the pack and into the elite! 20km!!!!!!
It's easy for me to take stock from a distance I know, but blimey SR that really is so amazing. 20km!!!!! xxxx
p.s. Obviously hope it all gets better in time and you get to run your race. Looking forward to the updates and fingers crossed
Aw, Fishy, thank you so much. 😘 It was a really good run until the knee struck me down. Ironically, I have been feeling so strong of late, almost like a proper runner 😂. So, although I am proud of what I have achieved this year, it is somewhat (pfffft!) of a disappointment to think that making race day is unlikely. Ah well. A timely reminder of why I have never attempted a race before - fear of doing all the hard work and getting injured. A mug’s game it is! Will of course update you after my physio assessment. And if it’s not good news, I will just have to get over it, and back to just running for the joy!
It’s not a mug’s game.... look at all you have achieved training for this!! Really bloody amazing. Life loves to chuck shite in the way- as you know!! You can so very definitely do this... eventually. Whatever you go through will make it all the more sweeter when it comes I promise!!
I couldn’t even run 4K this week cos of the olde arse cheek... I am loving rolling about on my tennis balls though 😂😳😥 who knew pain could be so enjoyable!! 😱😂 xxx
The saga of the arse cheek continues? Oh so sorry to hear this, FPF, must be very frustrating. I get my sports masseuse to dig into my piriformis if it ever gives me jip but the pain! Makes me eyes water. I do love running, but sheesh, the upkeep of the body is something else! I wish you speedy relief from this...😘 xxx
Sadie-runs well done my lovely VRB, and running 20km is a massive massive achievement, in fact that's basically a HM right there, give or take a k
I'm so sorry to hear about the knee thing though. You are certainly not an idiot (that's my department, sorry!) and I know you have always been way way better than me at running safely and not doing stupid stuff. Don't be cross with yourself, these things do happen.
My personal feeling is that you perhaps shouldn't panic too soon. Rest it, ice it (can you get ice under your kneecap?) and I would say do any knee-related stretches that you can think of. I normally associate sharp shooting pains with muscles giving up on me and telling me in no uncertain terms, and it normally passes.
One thing I do know is that you are a brilliant, brilliant runner Sadie. I for one have a massive amount of respect for your determination and tenacity where running is concerned.
You will let me know how you get on, won't you???? 😘
Aw, cheers Neil, you say the nicest things! 😊 I must say, I don’t find the distance impossible now (I was even singing along to my playlist at 16km! 😂), just don’t know if my body agrees, hence knee. If physio tells me I need to strengthen my core/glutes/hips etc I will scream, cos I am doing that! (Oh dear, looks like I have moved on in the stages of injury from sadness to anger! 😂)
I like to panic early on to get it over with. 😁 But yes, I am icing 4 times a day and resting...almost looking forward to seeing a physio tomorrow. I will update once I know what’s what!
Like so many others, really sorry to read this Sadie. I have a 'niggly' knee at times but it is not always a problem during runs and usually worse as I tighten up after! Glad you have booked a physio for tomorrow and hope they can get you back out there soon. Fingers crossed for you - keep the faith!🤞🙂
Thanks Sandra. 😘 I have had minor knee niggles before, but this was definitely something more ouch’s and stabby! Looking forward to seeing what the physio thinks. Thank you for the crossed fingers! x
Not that this will help with your knee but my sports masseuse and my Pilates teacher say that my hip pain when running is caused by tight hip flexors. ( which I knew I had 🙄). So I now do lots of hip flexor stretches on my rest day and also after long runs. There’s bound to be some on YouTube you can do which might help with THAT issue.
Thanks Lou. Yes, I am pretty sure I have tight hip flexors too. I have one stretch I do - but probably not often enough! Thanks too for your good wishes for my crook knee. 😘
The knee, a nerve engine of all surprises. You probably won't figure out what's happened without a physio. Talking of hips and prancing, maybe you should consider checking if you need proper insoles? Proper as in custom cut for you. Out of balance hips will put more pressure to one of the knees, and you, in order to feel comfortable, will start shifting positions and, potentially, damaging a knee or an ankle. It's good it's not swollen but do clear it all with a doc before going for your race.
Thanks for your reply, mrrun. I am seeing a physio tomorrow. Wouldn’t be surprised if my hips are to blame; a previous physio noted I had a slight tilt in the ole pelvis. He sorted me out a few months ago, but I suppose the tilt could have returned. Pffft. Knees / hips eh? I’ll ask his opinion on whether I am up to the HM - I really don’t want to bugger it further, as being able to run is more important to me than some silly race. Have enjoyed the training, so all not lost. Apart from my pride when I have to tell folk I have pulled out of a race. People who don’t understand running. Pffft again! 😕
I had a tilt in 2 directions and apparently my femur wasn’t aligned either... a few ostheopath sessions ans back in place although i do need to get it fixed from time to time.
Never worry about 'a run', the next will come along. I love my sports and the number of times l read about a player missing an entire season through injury..... You and l are lucky amateurs who do this for fun, health, and no obligations, when and where we feel to 'perform'. My son's swimming coach missed her only Olympics through a knee injury..... We should enjoy our ride, Sadie!
Well done on the run Sadie despite the injury you can be very proud of your training and what you have achieved. Your consistency on that last run was amazing - I wobble during the last bit of my long runs quite often but not signs of that from you 👍.
Here's hoping for some good news at the Physio today and that you get to cross that finish line.
Thanks so much, Richard, you are so kind. To be honest, I always seem to manage to pull it out of the bag in the last few kilometres! Probably because by that point I just want it done! Knee feeling much better today, and I have physio this afternoon – so it will be interesting to see what he advises...
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I can walk on it, and it is not swollen, but something must be wrong to cause this pain when running.
Enjoy your hydration vest's inaugural outing!
Help... in search of IC recovery advice for half marathon training
First run at HM distance!
