Let me back track and start at the beginning. I ran over the weekend. I Advil'd myself up and I managed to make it through the rest of the weekend with only minor aches. What was concerning was my knees. Yeah, the arthritic ridden knees. I didn't let it stop me. On Monday night I went to zumba....and my legs ached. You ask how my knees did? OUCH. I ate dinner later on Monday night and almost immediately I felt 'odd'. Not really sick, but just not right. I still felt off kilter on Tuesday morning. Enough that I didn't run my 5 miles. Like I said, I wasn't really sick, just not normal. I was able to eat ok...and other than a few minutes of queasiness I was fine...just off kilter. I was ok with my decision to not run.
As I navigated through the day I could feel that ache in my knees that comes from the arthritis. Grrr...What is with this. It wasn't constant, just sporadic pain.
This morning I woke up early enough to run. I checked the weather and there was a window of opportunity for me to run. (It is scheduled only a light run, but I do have to make up that 5 miler from yesterday) I was achy as all get out. I got out of bed and trucked up the stairs. It wasn't until I was coming down the stairs that I totally got scared. My knees hurt BAD and not only did it hurt, it actually wobbled and I had to grab the hand rail because I thought I was going down.
!(*&(*^(*&#(*&(*&@(#*^% (that is my choice words for the betrayal of my knees) Is it the long run that threw my knees into a fit of despair? Is it my fears that circulate through my mind that are making every little ache and pain seem much worse? (our minds are totally capable of playing those kinds of tricks). Or is this just a sign.
Either way.....No running for me today.
I'm still not calling this half marathon a no go. I don't want to quit. I want to persevere and do this. The weather is NOT going to be cooperating with me. Rain is forecasted for the next umpteen days. I don't have access to a treadmill....and running in the rain....well. I guess it could be fun. (I'm very skeptical. Being out and soaked in clothes and running for an hour just sounds miserable!)
Meanwhile....I'll admit it.........
Today was just that kind of day for me...and I couldn't resist the chocolate and peanut butter. And yes, I know.....eating and indulging in this yummy goodness will just make me cringe because of the calories and only brings the cycle back around full circle, making me more emotional because I have goals and plans that are hindered by the weight....which is hindered by the indulgence....which is hindered by the emotions....which brings on.... yeah yeah yeah.
I'm conflicted on giving you advice toward the half marathon. On the one hand, if you truly are in pain, you should stop running AND doing Zumba until your knees heal up. On the other hand, if it's encouragement you want, then I'm all in - you can absolutely do the half, as long as your only goal is to finish with a smile on your face. Throw out any goal times, and just do the race on your terms, soaking in the atmosphere and reveling in the fact that you, and you alone, were able to push yourself to run/walk 13.1 miles. So yeah...basically, I'm no help here.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Running in the rain makes you a badass, you know that, right? ;)
Hope your knees get to feeling better soon - that would be SO frustrating. Do you have somewhere where you could do some swimming to give your knees a break but keep up conditioning? You are totally right about that cycle :(
ReplyDeleteI'm weird because I like to run in the rain. Snow, not so much, although I make myself do it because I hate the treadmill.
ReplyDeleteOnly you know if your pain is real or not so I can't comment on that. I will, however, comment on the rain. Your half marathon is going to happen rain or shine so it may be good practice to do a run or two in the rain so it doesn't completely throw you off the day of the event. YEARS AGO, when I was training for the 3 day, I did a couple long walks in the rain. Did it suck? Yeah. Did it rain during the event. For a couple hours. I'm glad I was prepared.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should see a doctor about the knee pain. Something more may have happened. I'm all for not quitting but I'm also for not hurting yourself.
ReplyDeleteLori
I'm not sure what to say here either. I want to see you complete the half-marathon, but I think that when your body tells you something, you need to listen. I suspect you're over training. Running and Zumba may be too much for your knees. Keep ice on it and see how it feels tomorrow or the next day. Find a quiet spot and listen to your body. It won't lie to you.
ReplyDeleteReeses ... they are a downfall for me too (along with a ton of other treats!)
ReplyDeleteMy Hubs likes to run in the rain, if it's a warm, summer rain. I have tried the running, but I just can't like it. At all. I'm sticking with my Zumba, elliptical and stationary bike! No marathons (half, quarter or otherwise) for me.
Hope your knees feel better. I did have some issues a while back. I never really did anything and the pain went away. Never sure what the right thing to do is!