Sore knee and HM

[Tkaye]

Hi all, I’d appreciate some advice please. I’m due to run my first HM on the 17th oct, managed to do something to my knee which left it painful especially when bending or walking down stairs. So I haven’t managed the last 2 weeks and my longest run was 15k. I’m planning to rest it this week and if it’s more achy than painful give the HM a go. Am I being completely stupid? Thanks.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Yikes Tkaye, that’s unfortunate. Without a diagnosis of what you’ve actually done to your knee, it’s hard to give any advice. I’d recommend getting it checked out by your GP or a sports physio who can advise you appropriately. If you’ve torn something, for example, you could do untold damage by running on it at all, let alone attempting a HM. You could be out for months.

But it may be nothing. 🤞

Can you get it checked out? Good luck! 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh no, how disappointing. Is there any chance you can get to see a sports physio? I know how tempting it is to run anyway - I'm in a similar position with a leg issue and at the moment my plan is to rest and then run it on 17th. But really the sensible option is to get some professional advice, get it checked: you want to enjoy the run and you don't want to do any lasting damage!!!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

I agree with cheekychipmunks - if you can get it checked out you will be able to make an informed decision. It could just be due to the increase in training resulting in overtight quads or similar but if the knee itself is damaged you do need to be careful. Good sports physio’s are worth their weight in gold IMO. Fingers crossed for you!🤞🙂

[Cmoi Marathon]

Another voice saying get it checked out. I completed a trail marathon on a dodgy knee a week ago, but my knee isn't yours! Mine only played up around km15, never having done so before, and I found it was fine on flatter sections, but I needed to jog very cautiously or walk downhill and uneven terrain. So if you're experiencing problems all the time, I'd be much more circumspect. Please do seek expert advice. Hope things work out for you!

[misswobble Marathon]

Same here and I have a 10k booked for 17th. I’ve rested since 26th Sept - apart from a test jog. I tested it this morning and am feeling ok

You could continue to rest up til race day. Get some sleep and continue to eat and hydrate well. Keep moving though 🙂.

I once ran a ten miler after a three week lay off for a calf injury. I was in no pain though on race day

See how it goes. You can defer the decision til race day if logistically possible. I think you’ll know from how your knee feels as to whether it’s a goer or not

Fingers crossed for you 🤞

[Tkaye Half Marathon]

Thanks all, I’ve tried a 3k walk and so far just an ache, will try a short run Monday and see how it holds up. Never thought I’d be this upset at the prospect of not running.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Tkaye]

Sports physio is the best bet. Sometimes the knee cap moves a little and well placed KT tape can help to stabilise it. My experience of knee issues is that I have just been feeling the consequences of a problem elsewhere; quads, hamstrings, adductor which can cause the knee to move incorrectly relative to the femur as the knee bends and straightens….My feeling would be that there is no point in guessing.

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Yes, definitely, physio. If the physio gives you the OK, I'd suggest the NHS Knee Exercises for Runners: nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/k...

Apparently, the muscles and tendons which support the knee when you're running need to be worked on so that they can do their job properly. It seems odd to me that running isn't enough to do this but I've found that these exercises got rid of some knee niggles.

If your knee is OK, I'd say that the 15k you've done in training is sufficient to get you through your HM.

Good luck!

[Tkaye Half Marathon]

Thank you for all of your reply’s, I’ve made an appointment with a sports physio but sadly couldn’t get in until November. After much deliberation and with great sadness decided to withdraw from my first HM. Really didn’t expect to feel so low, will try a little run Saturday but as it’s still sore have to listen to folk who know more and in all honesty my gut.