I was surprised at myself this week. After managing to run my first half marathon just over a week ago I lost confidence and mojo. It sort of came from no where but also somewhere ๐ฅด. Yes I had an extraordinarily painful back at the end of the run and it took 24 hours of rest and strong pain killers to fix. Yes my knee was painful too and Iโd only managed a little trot last week because it still felt wobbly and painful but in my head I was beginning to think I wouldnโt be able to run any more! Daft I know. So I walked, did some strength exercises and booked an appointment with the physio for tomorrow. Today I decided that I had better see what was happening with my knee. I wasnโt confident about it and was really scared that it would collapse. But off I went for a slow 30 minute Jeff. Well thatโs what I planned! 30 minutes later Garmin was telling m so had run my fastest mile , my knee was ok although a bit tight and I had a big grin on my face as I walked indoors. I can still run. ๐ why oh why did I think I couldnโt?! Maybe I just needed time to recover both physically and mentally.
So Iโm going to run 3 times a week through the summer. Enjoy those runs how ever long they maybe and come the autumn I might enter another race although maybe not a half marathon. I donโt think my back can take it but never say never. So although I love this community Iโm going to hang out with the 10k bunch for a while. Have a wonderful summer and thank you for all your advice and support. You are all amazing. โค๏ธ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ๐
Written by
Knittingrunner
Half Marathon
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Well done on getting out there! There is always a bit of a down/loss of mojo after a big run, and you are right to dial the miles down for a wee while. Just go out and enjoy yourself. Dine out in your HM achievement for ages too! ๐๐๐โโ๏ธ
KR, you nailed that HM and I hope youโre still reliving it with pride (maybe not the painful bits!) Iโm so glad you realise you can still run and enjoy it with no pressure. Enjoy yourself! ๐ฅฐ
My physio gave me a fix for a tight knee (runnerโs knee in my case). Immediately before a run, I apply heat to the knee cap (it used to be a hot water bottle but I have bought a gel pack now) for ten minutes. I then sit on the floor with a folded towel under my knee and gently massage the knee cap. It works for this 69 year old. ๐
Ooh. Thanks for that tip. Iโm seeing the physio today and like you I think itโs a case of runners knee. I will certainly give it a go but as Iโve cut back the miles itโs settling. Iโm hoping that as Iโm unlikely to do those miles again it wonโt come back. ๐ค๐ป
It is a constant mind game and we go through ups and downs. We'll done for getting through. ๐๐ป๐
Talk to your physio about the back and keep an eye on posture whilst running. Keep those shoulders as relaxed as possible but straight. Longer distances can take a while to get your body into the swing of things. ๐ค๐ป
Just seen the physio and got some exercises to do to build up a muscle by my knee which is wasted due to a previous brain injury and sheโs confident I will be ok. So Iโm off to do a nice 5k in the morning. So excited. ๐ฅณ
Well done on getting out! It is such a mind game, I'm really realising this more and more. 3 times a week and enjoying it sounds like the best plan. Do races if you want but you dont have too and there are loads of different types. I do group runs with a running club now and that's great and I also do organised runs (paying) which are also good fun. Congrats on your half!
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