Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Update on the Knee

My left knee started to hurt shortly after finishing the marathon on Sunday. It never gave me any indication of being overused, or sore, or in any pain until AFTER the finish. I worked my way thru the finish chute and met Bonnie at the exit of the chute. I was still standing at that point and looking around for perhaps an ice pool but didn't see any for this race.

I did spot a food tent for finishers and told her that I wanted to head that direction. She asked if I wanted to sit down but I said no I felt that I needed to walk. The food tent was across a field so we started that direction, slowly. I took my time letting my legs and body get back to some semblance of normal vertical activity. I went into the tent and had two orange slices then moved on to find all they had left was pepperoni pizza, which at the time sounded like a 16 oz prime rib to me. I took a very large slice and walked out the other end of the tent.

I could see Bonnie waiting on me at the entrance and thought I would get her attention to come to me rather than me walk back to her. Then I did my biggest mistake.....I sat down in a chair to eat the pizza. I sat there long enough to eat it, and Bonnie eventually saw me and came over and sat down too. I finished the water that I had and began to realize that my knee was hurting all of a sudden.

I was panicking that I had done something to it in the race but could not remember anything that caused any problems on the course.

Well, my coach says that by sitting down too soon and bending my knee at a 90 degree angle that quickly and for a prolonged period of time I was pushing my thigh bone into the knee cap and aggravating the cartilege there. He says that the running naturally aggravates it some but as long as you don't sit too quickly after the race or sit with your leg bent 90 degrees or more that you shouldn't have alot of pain.

Today it continues to feel much better. I just have to remember to not sit that same way even now as it brings the pain back when I do. I will take his advice and not run until at least the weekend and maybe into the middle of next week. It's again my taper time for Honolulu anyway.

12 comments:

Wes said...

Sometimes, the muscles in your thigh can tighten up and pull on your knee too. If it didn't hurt in the race, I think one of those two things is probably right. With proper rest, you'll be fine. Nice job, again, Randy!!!

Marcy said...

(In reference to your pics) WHOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO Randy!! You 2 are the cutest!! You did an AWESOME job!!! ;D ;D ;D

I agree with Wes, some proper rest and you should be good to go!!

Mary Gee said...

I hope your knee is all better. A marathon is a little bit of wear and tear on the joints...huh?

runliarun said...

Hope that heals quickly, Hawaii is around the corner :).

J~Mom said...

Take it easy Randy!! Rest up as much as you can!

Unknown said...

Hope your knee gets well soon.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Jess said...

I'll echo the others: rest it for several days. If it hurts when you run, then there's something problemmatic. But see what a few of rest can do for you.

Darrell said...

Good friends and medals, two of the best things about running marathons!

Do take care of the knee.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

Mendy said...

I hope your knee is better and also hope your Thanksgiving holiday was great!

TX Runner Mom said...

Hope that knee continues to feel better. Congrats to you both on your races!!! Hope you had a great turkey day!

teacherwoman said...

I hope all is well. It's been a while since you last post! Just checking up on you! :)

Molly said...

OK Randy...me disappearing for two months is equal to you going away for two days...where are you buddy?

Hope the knee is OK...Is the words of Bill...I feel your pain!

Take Care