Runner's Knee

Last Saturday I did Day Three of week three of the Couch to 5K program. I was running (no pun intended) behind on what day I did day three on so I didn't skip any days before I did Day One of week four - on Sunday.


So, when my knees started aching right after the run, I thought that was the reason. They still hurt on Monday - my right knee in particular - and I still didn't think a lot about it. But I sent an instant message to SCG at work and told him about it. I totally expected a smart ass response from him so was kind of surprised when he seemed all concerned and started asking me all sorts of questions about what kind of shoes I had and telling me I might need a pronated shoe. He mentioned a runner's repair manual book that he had and said he was going to look up my symptoms and let me know what he found out. I thought his concern was very sweet but I was seriously wishing I hadn't said anything by the time the whole instant messaging was over with because I honestly thought the pain was a direct result of running two days in a row.

Okay, so Tuesday my knees were feeling a lot better and I went out for another run. I took Brewsky with me (my dog, not an alcoholic beverage :) ). (Harley had been the dog I'd run with on Sunday - Max was Saturday.) We were doing good with the five minute brisk walk - and then we were told to run. I took about two steps at a run and knew it wasn't happening. But I tried anyway. I probably ran for less than twenty seconds when I decided that the best thing I could do was go back home and call it a day, which I hated doing.

The next two days my knees (right one in particular) hurt bad enough that I was seriously considering emailing the marathon coordinator and taking her up on her offer to refund my money (long story but apparently they will make an exception to their "no refunds, no exceptions" rule - I'll leave it at that). But I wanted to give it a little longer. Friday I didn't run. No real excuse but I'll just say I was tired and it was cold.

Then came yesterday. I had lunch with SCG and his wife (Mrs. SCG). He'd brought his runner's repair manual book with him and started asking questions about the pain I'd been experiencing. I told him where it had started and where it had moved to. He flips right to a page and says, "I think you have runner's knee." Uh, okay. He starts reading the symptoms, which involve swelling of the knee. "There's been no swelling," I tell him. "Hurts on the inner side of the leg," he goes on. "No, it's hurt on the outer side of the leg," I reply. He reads a few more symptoms that don't apply and closes the book with purpose, declaring - again - that I have runner's knee. I just gave him a smile that said "good boy, now shut up" and continued a conversation with his wife. We finished lunch and before we left he tells me how I need to "treat" my "runner's knee". I thank him for the tips and we part company.

So, last night, I decide to try running again. My knees feel pretty good and I don't want to get behind on the program if I don't have to. But, I'm fully prepared to come back home if I can't handle it. It was Max's turn again so I clipped on the leash and headed out the door (after at least ten minutes of fighting Harley and Brewsky to keep them INSIDE the door).

We weren't two houses down when I realized that I'd forgotten to put on Max's Halti - same as I had last Saturday. I think I may have discovered the problem. Don't think it had anything to do with running two days in a row and everything to do with being drug around the neighborhood.



I was fine last night, today I can feel it. The Halti - don't leave home without it!