Sunday, October 10, 2010

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

The knee on the left of the picture is the one that is not painful. The knee on the right is. And that’s after a week of not running….

IMG_0547

Things are really depressing at this point. I didn’t run all week. I didn’t run yesterday. My knee is stiff and swollen. I can probably run without pain today, but am  not sure it’s worth it. I mean seriously. It’s not I’m going to gain any speed and/or fitness before my half marathon next Sunday.

I think a reset is in order. Long Beach HM next Sunday then two weeks off to let this sucker heal for good. Then I’ll hit the restart button. As from the beginning.

But, for the time being, I’m following the suggestions from sportsinjuryclinic.net:

  • Apply RICE (Rest, ice compression and elevation) after activity. This will help reduce pain and swelling.
  • Rest until there is no pain (this is very important).
  • Use a knee support or heat retainer (with an open knee and patella buttress).

(P.S.: If you haven’t checked out that website, you should. There is a wealth of pertinent information on ortho injuries and issues.)

I think it all serves me right. If you recall a few weeks ago my plan was to run shorter and more frequently. I came to this conclusion after What do I do? Run longer less frequently. And I’m the one usually preaching patience….

30 comments:

  1. Yikes that doesn't look good. You might want to have that looked at before you try LB HM. Take care Glenn!

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  2. Glenn! Your poor knee!

    ::big big hugs::

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  3. Rest up and heal quickly Glenn - certainly looks painful.

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  4. what did you do????? You must have done something.... ice elevate rest!!!!

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  5. Ouch! So sorry about that. I totally agree with Slomohusky -- get that checked out before running a half.

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  6. Oh boy! That definitely doesn't look too good.

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  7. You are I are in a similar boat here. After resting for 8 days I tried to run yesterday and the pain was worse. Plus it hurts to push in the clutch when I drive.

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  8. Personally, i think you're crazy to try to run a half marathon on that. You'll be out two months, not two weeks.
    You should rest two weeks from now, and MAYBE it will be all right.

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  9. I know you won't... but feel free to hang out with me at the back of the pack this Sunday. Feel better! -J.

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  10. You're still gonna run the half? Are you sure? Ouch.

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  11. Hey man. Make sure that you don't overdo it... might be better to pass on the half next week if it means not further damaging your knees... they do not look too bueno

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  12. Did I hear right, that you were going to race no that for a Half? I would just chill and let it heal. You will not regret it, and who knows? Then again, the race? Go smash it!!!!

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  13. The long runs were okay because you got us some nice photos and video of the hills. :-)

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  14. whoa, that does not look good. take care of yourself glenn!! i know you've had an up/down on/off 2010, but you'll bounce back. enjoy some forced downtime - let yourself lax on the typical diet/exercise stressors we put on ourselves. well you know, don't go too crazy but don't worry too much about it. just take care of getting better!

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  15. Chill, Glenn, Chill. Come and help me cheer on the troops. I just bought 4 new cow bells!

    Even I wouldn't run with a knee like that and I'm pretty thick headed.

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  16. Yikes! I'm so sorry to hear about your knee. I hope the swelling goes down soon. Lots of RICE. *hug*

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  17. OUCH!!! Wowza, that looks like it hurts, a LOT. Rest up!

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  18. Awk!!! Have you been to a doctor about that to make sure something isn't out of whack and not torn? It could be a million things but if it's that swollen with that much time off, something is off-kilter. Hope it's happy by the half!! Good luck!

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  19. Awk!!! Have you been to a doctor about that to make sure something isn't out of whack and not torn? It could be a million things but if it's that swollen with that much time off, something is off-kilter. Hope it's happy by the half!! Good luck!

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  20. I vote for REST!
    And next time stick with your plan, silly! Hope it feels better quickly!
    ~RR

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  21. yikes, that definitely doesn't look good. :/ Mine never looked like that, but felt like it was that swollen, if that makes sense. Just a ton of pressure under the knee cap and around that area. I hope it starts settling down asap for you. :(

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  22. Glenn!!!

    Oucha! My knee started bothering me a few weeks ago as well (although mine didn't ever swell) but after taking a few weeks off it's doing much better. It's SO HARD to take it easy but a little extra support with a knee brace and some time off really was the trick. Oh, and the Ibruprofen was nice too. ;) Best wishes!

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  23. I feel your pain. Hope you get well soon!

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  24. Glenn, how's the knee doin'? Hope it miraculously recovers by Saturday. Good luck this weekend! If nothing else, enjoy the race experience!

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  25. Have you done much biking or swimming? It may be a nice change; that just looks super-painful and I can't imagine trying to run on that.

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  26. Ouch!

    I've been MIA lately. Sorry to read about your runner's knee. Take care and follow your own advice and the advice of the others who mentioned something about seeing a doctor! That being said, I need to do the same.

    Take care.

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  27. Sorry to hear about the knee, i am glad i came across your blog since i am in Orange County as well i will definitely be checking out your treks..good luck with the knee

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  28. I can't say more than the others have. If you still plan to run LB despite the injury, just soak up the scenery instead of the shock to the knee. In other words, run some and walk some. And remember, rest measn REST - not just do a little less.

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  29. Be sure to give yourself a chance to heal. I agree with some of the comments that maybe you should see someone about it. I hope you are pain free on Sunday. I'll look for you!

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  30. I hope you are feeling better Glenn. I know you have been resting and thus probably not blogging. It's OK. We have all been there. Injuries SUCK. The most important thing is that you don't let it get you down for too long. You'll be better before you know it. Trust me. *Cyber hug*

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