My summer thus far summarizes as follows:
-a few weeks of just running to stay in shape, following track season. During this time I hammered almost every run. I think maybe I was trying to get ahead of myself and figured since I wasn't running many miles, they should be quality miles. Soon I found that I was constantly tired (even during 30-50 mile week). I found out pretty quick that I had to slow down and allow my body to recover
-around 5 weeks ago I started trying to build a base. I took a day off almost every week, but still managed 60-70 per week. I felt good--almost as if I was in the shape I was in during the end of last summer--so way ahead of last year's training.
-last week I hurt my knee. It is the same kind of injury I had during indoor, although I hurt my other knee this time. I was playing a casual game of pickup basketball and was in a good amount of pain afterwards. I'm pretty sure this was the onset of the injury and it has hurt on every run since then. The pain is tolerable, although I have really toned down my running over the last week. I think that with normal volume the pain would be worse.
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I have mixed feelings about what is going on with me. Of course it sucks to not feel great, or even good on runs. I've had some awesome runs this summer, and all I want is to be able to replicate that feeling every time. However, I've learned that just running is not going to get me where I want to be. For some people that works, but I'm starting to think I have to do more. As soon as I hurt my knee I resumed the PT exercises I had been doing in the winter. I also started lifting, and I want to maintain a regular lifting schedule (something I have never done, unfortunately). I think my body needs to be stronger to support the beating it takes when I run. As much as I'd like to think I'd pick this stuff up anyway this summer, I'm starting to think that this injury was my wakeup call towards actively improving my strength. I cannot wait to run pain free, and that is my motivation right now. I will not stop trying to get healthy and once I am healthy, I will not stop trying to stay that way.
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That sounds rough man, keep the rehab going on that knee. Perhaps the part time basketball career isn't the best for your legs...
ReplyDeleteSounds like the strength work will definitely help. Keep up the good work, it will make healthy running that much sweeter.