I’ve been so excited to get back to running after my long pregnancy-induced layoff. But perhaps I’ve been a little TOO excited, since I now seem to have aggravated something in my right knee. I’ve got a not-so-subtle ache on the inside of my right knee, below the kneecap. I can feel it when I run, and it hurts when I press on it.
Last week was pretty active. I walked 3.5 miles on Monday morning, then ran 3 miles on Tuesday evening — when I made a small increase from a 2/2 to a 3/2 run/walk pattern. I walked 4.5 miles on Wednesday morning with Kelly and Kaylynne, then ran another 3 miles at 3/2 on Thursday evening. On Friday, I noticed the soreness and got a little worried. So I skipped walks and runs that day and Saturday AND I picked up a new pair of shoes from the local running store (after realizing my old pair was more than a year and a half old with over 500 miles on them).
This season’s model is a very girly hot pink
Yesterday things felt ok, so I headed out for a 4 mile “long” run to make sure I’m somewhat prepared to run/walk my half of the relay at the Space City 10-Miler next weekend. As soon as I started running, I felt the ache return but I stubbornly decided to keep going for a bit and see if it got any better. The pain mostly subsided within the first mile, so I went ahead with my planned 4 miles and was feeling good when I got back home.
But this morning….ouch. There’s no denying it. My knee hurts. Worse than it did on Friday.
SIGH. This is no good.
Based on the location and type of pain, Dr. Google suggests that I’ve got a case of knee tendon bursitis, which can be caused by (among other thing) sudden increases in mileage or an out-turning of the knee or lower leg. I’ve always done a bit of a weird “kick” with my right leg while running, and although it’s never caused a problem in the past, perhaps it’s more of an issue when combined with starting over after such a long break?
The suggested treatment is rest, ice and an anti-inflammatory, which are all easy enough to implement. I really want to do the 10-Miler, so I think I’ll lay low this week and stick to walking. Hopefully it’ll go away as quickly as it appeared!
Growing old is so fun, isn’t it? When I was a teenager, I could go from 0 to 30 mpw and speedwork without any difficulties other than sore muscles. These days, if I don’t build up gradually, I end up with twinges here and there. I find an every other day running strategy with no speedwork usually works for me when I’m trying to get back into things, and if I feel anything injury-like, I take a day off.
I’ve been seeing you running in the hood! Ice it and use “the stick” I’m a bursitis pro. Sad, but true. 🙁 Cold laser therapy too, if you’re really looking to get it fixed up quick. Get better soon!
Hope this is just temporary. I know how frustrating it can be to start over. HUGS!