The Moaniness of the Long Distance Runner

actwithoutwords

Somewhere between 66 and 70 lengths this evening (I lost count right at the end, so might have done a few extra. Was going for an even mile.) Did 10 minutes of aqua jogging afterwards, though took it a bit easier than yesterday. Felt fairly good after both really.

Knee didn't feel great this morning, but actually feeling an improvement as the day has gone on. Feels a bit more solid and less irritable. Fingers crossed that's the start of a trend...

Watching the London Marathon today was somewhat bittersweet. I can't really get too excited about Edinburgh at the moment, mostly just worried whether I'll make it or not.

pgmcpq

actwithoutwords wrote: »

Noooooooooooooooooooooo.
Knee didn't feel great at all yesterday do I didn't go out. Booked into Sports Med Ireland this morning. From what she could tell it's an overuse cartilage injury. I have to stop running for 6 days at least, and do core exercises to strengthen up surrounding muscles. Best case scenario the inflammation settles down with rest and the core work prevents it reoccurring. Worst case scenario the degeneration of the cartilage/meniscus is such that I might have to give up running.

She said not to worry yet, as it's not long since the injury came on, but with an emphasis on yet. There was talk of MRIs if the symptoms don't go away and the phrase 'career ending' was used. I didn't know whether to laugh at the idea of having a running career in the first place, or cry.

Anyway, profoundly depressing. Was so close to getting to the end of the marathon training programme without any significant interruptions and finally doing myself justice. And now suddenly I'm faced with a potentially serious problem. Hadn't mentioned it here yet as I haven't received a confirmation, but sent STI a deposit for the New York Marathon last week. Oh dear.

Just have to plug away with this strengthening for the week, start swimming again and hope.

Sorry to hear this. Bloody hell but that seems a very drastic outlook for an over use injury. Hopefully this is just a case of painting a worst case scenario upfront. Like the start of a run - patience is key. Glad to see you've taken to the pool work. Best of luck with it.

actwithoutwords

pgmcpq wrote: »

Sorry to hear this. Bloody hell but that seems a very drastic outlook for an over use injury. Hopefully this is just a case of painting a worst case scenario upfront. Like the start of a run - patience is key. Glad to see you've taken to the pool work. Best of luck with it.

Heh, in fairness I kind of pushed her into it. Given my lack of understanding of knee injuries I wanted to get a sense of how bad it could be. Probably a bad idea, as I then fixated on the worst case scenario somewhat.

Back in Dublin today, so 86 lengths in the Markievicz pool this evening. 66 plus 20 when it transpired they had no belt for the aqua jogging, which was a pity. First time back in there in 2 years I think. I fitted in almost too well to the 'slow lane' unfortunately. Last time I was swimming regularly I was definitely in the mid-level fast lane, but the combination of a rusty stroke that is all over the place and somewhat tentative use of my legs is taking its toll on my speed. Coming to the end of the extra 20 was the first time I started to get properly fatigued since I started in the pool. Good sign, as it was obviously a good workout. Horrific cramping in my calf when I got on the bike to go home though. Yuck. My triathlon transitions obviously need work...

actwithoutwords

66 lengths this evening. I was a bit tired after yesterday. Struggled a bit at the start, but settled down ok. Bad day for the excercises though. I still don't think I'm doing some of them right. And the knee gets tingly while I'm doing a lot of them. Increasingly pessimistic that I'll be able to run after the physio appointment on Thursday. It still doesn't feel that great. It's killing me seeing people out running at the moment. I get terribly jealous.

TakeaBowSon

I've been following your log with interest and I was sorry to hear about your injury..

Try and keep positive about the knee, I think someone mentioned above that it does seem like a drastic diagnosis. Maybe get a second opinion? For what its worth I was told the same thing a (good) few years ago, got a second opinion and eventually got it sorted.

Keep the head up....you'll make Edinburgh yet!

actwithoutwords

Sorry about the lack of updates, it's been a bit too depressing to be around the board since the injury. After a second session with the physio, she said not to worry that it was still sore and that improvements would usually come in the second week or rest. Unfortunately, if anything it got worse last week. By the Thursday I realised when doing my shopping that it was painful to walk, and the game was up for Edinburgh. Pretty dispiriting. Feeling so physically fragile gets to me a bit and really affects my confidence.

Without the immediate goal of getting back, I haven't done much cycling or swimming, and the excercises have drifted a bit. I suppose I need to refocus now on longer term rehabilitation and get going again. Will hopefully organise an MRI in the next week or two and then move on from there. New York is a nice goal to have anyway. But after two marathon training cycles have both resulted in injuries at their peak, I'm quite worried about the consequences for the next one. To say nothing for the longer term consequences of this knee problem for future mileage.

Thanks for all the well wishes. The log has produced a 20:17 5k and a 1:40:58 half marathon, and stuck on 445.44 miles in the 1000 mile challenge. Hopefully that's not the end of the PBs for the year...

ronanmac

actwithoutwords wrote: »

Sorry about the lack of updates, it's been a bit too depressing to be around the board since the injury. After a second session with the physio, she said not to worry that it was still sore and that improvements would usually come in the second week or rest. Unfortunately, if anything it got worse last week. By the Thursday I realised when doing my shopping that it was painful to walk, and the game was up for Edinburgh. Pretty dispiriting. Feeling so physically fragile gets to me a bit and really affects my confidence.

Without the immediate goal of getting back, I haven't done much cycling or swimming, and the excercises have drifted a bit. I suppose I need to refocus now on longer term rehabilitation and get going again. Will hopefully organise an MRI in the next week or two and then move on from there. New York is a nice goal to have anyway. But after two marathon training cycles have both resulted in injuries at their peak, I'm quite worried about the consequences for the next one. To say nothing for the longer term consequences of this knee problem for future mileage.

Thanks for all the well wishes. The log has produced a 20:17 5k and a 1:40:58 half marathon, and stuck on 445.44 miles in the 1000 mile challenge. Hopefully that's not the end of the PBs for the year...

That entry makes for depressing reading, actwithoutwords. The injury is a real shame, for you and for the readers of a well-written log! Hopefully, it won't keep you away too long. Best of luck with the recuperation and make sure you keep ticking over with the cycling and swimming so that the great comeback won't be too difficult!

pgmcpq

actwithoutwords wrote: »

.... after two marathon training cycles have both resulted in injuries at their peak, I'm quite worried about the consequences for the next one. To say nothing for the longer term consequences of this knee problem ....

It sucks right now but it sounds like this is the required investment of time to put it right for the long run. I'd try to keep up the fitness level - it's likely to make any rehab easier and keep the goals closer. Good luck !

actwithoutwords

On the off-chance anyone was interested...
It's been too depressing to look at the board. I haven't run since April. An MRI in June was completely clear, which was encouraging, albeit confusing. Despite staying away from running and doing the exercises the knee was deteriorating if anything. Worked with a different physio from the middle of June, concurred with the diagnosis of chondromalacia patella. Lots more rehab exercises, but the knee just got progessively worse and worse, despite changing tack various times. By this point walking was beginning to be a struggle.

At the end of July my bike got stolen. 2 days of walking (10 mins) to the Luas stop to get to work and I was ruined. In constant pain and my left knee was suddenly exhibiting similar symptoms to my right (presumably because I was favouring it so much). Since then I've been almost an invalid. I can't walk more than 100 yards or stay on my feet for any length of time. I can cycle with minimal pain and that's the only way I survive at all on a day to day basis. Cycling everywhere door to door.

It's been something of a nightmare. From a mild tingling in my knee in April to being in constant pain and barely able to shuffle around the house now. Unbelievable really. The physio is none the wiser as to why the knee hasn't responded to the rehab. I have a surgical consultation later this month, and desperately hoping for some sort of progress or resolution. Getting back running isn't even the primary goal anymore. I'd just like to be able to walk.

I have been thinking again about running in the last week though. For whatever reason. Miss it desperately. I've tried experimenting with swimming again this week (after I was advised to cut it out when the rehab programme was resulting in constant flaring up), and it's just such a nice feeling to be physically tired again. Knees are a bit sore during and after. Though as (another) physio has said, part of the reason I'm in so much pain is because of the muscle imbalance due to lack of exercise, which is something of a catch 22. Any form of exercise hurts, but no exercise at all makes things even worse.

Anyway, that's it all out of my system. Apologies for a somewhat self-pitying post.
If any non-natural athletes are reading this, for God's sake do your core/flexibility work. Let me at least be a cautionary tale.

plodder

Jesus. Sorry to read about your situation. I don't know what to say really. It seems strange that the MRI didn't show anything. Aside from the physios, are you seeing a specialist doctor? Maybe the surgical consult will open up some new avenues for investigation ...

menoscemo

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Hopefully the mystery will clear up soon.

TakeaBowSon

Sorry to hear about your troubles fella. I hope you get back to full health soon.

pgmcpq

Bloody hell. Very sorry to hear this. My earlier comments ring a bit hollow now. That really is everyone worst nightmare - hopefully you can at least get the problem identified.

For what is it worth your legacy lives on - a few running buddies really got into the "moaniness .." video.

Hopefully this is bottom and things will start to pick up from here. Karma-wise you are over due.

actwithoutwords

Thanks all for the concern.
Have been really enjoying being back swimming. It's helped me feel a bit more positive about things. The knees have been less and less sore each time I've gone. Getting there about 3 times a week at the moment, which isn't bad. Though in a last gasp attempt to push for an improvement before I see the specialist later in the month I may attempt some gym work this week or next, which would reduce my time for swimming.

pgmcpq wrote: »

For what is it worth your legacy lives on - a few running buddies really got into the "moaniness .." video.

Ha. Well that's always nice to hear. Thanks a lot. Several people have told me they actually started running because of that stuff. Which is mad, though quite nice.



In somewhat sobering news, I was at the funeral yesterday of a guy who died while running a 10k in Ardgillan last weekend (I don't think this has been mentioned on the board?). The brother of a friend of mine, I didn't know the context of what had happened until yesterday. He was in his late twenties. Absolutely shocking. It was a desperately sad occasion. It certainly gave me a sense of perspective as my knees were aching in the church.

plodder

actwithoutwords wrote: »

In somewhat sobering news, I was at the funeral yesterday of a guy who died while running a 10k in Ardgillan last weekend (I don't think this has been mentioned on the board?). The brother of a friend of mine, I didn't know the context of what had happened until yesterday. He was in his late twenties. Absolutely shocking. It was a desperately sad occasion. It certainly gave me a sense of perspective as my knees were aching in the church.

Jesus. That is shocking. The event was covered in this thread. It was reported that someone collapsed, but I guess people didn't realise exactly how bad it was. A particularly cruel irony given the organisation that ran it.

actwithoutwords

Ah thanks. I couldn't find the thread when I looked.
A truly horrible thing.
It's certainly going to cement the idea among a lot of my friends that running is some kind of extreme sport that is inherently foolish to undertake.

pgmcpq

actwithoutwords wrote: »

In somewhat sobering news, I was at the funeral yesterday of a guy who died while running a 10k in Ardgillan last weekend

That's pretty shocking. Not sure there any way to make sense of something like that.