Sunday, April 01, 2007

Cherry Blossom Recap

This morning was Cherry Blossom. The weather was overcast, about 50 degrees, overall pretty decent for 7:30 a.m.

I started out doing great. I was pacing myself, sticking as best I could to my 9:30/mi goal. (I say "as best I could," because I forgot my watch. Oops. :) ) In the first two miles, everyone around me was really really back and forth on their pace, which I guess is usual for a race of any distance. People would fly past me, and then we'd get to a 1% incline and I'd pass them right back as they were panting going up the "hill."

Somewhere just before mile two, my left knee started feeling weird. I did a few high kicks to try to stretch it out, and that felt worse, so I stopped. From this point on, every step got worse. They had water stations every 2.5 miles, so at the second one (at mile 5), I decided to walk through the station to see if I could shake loose whatever was kinked in my knee. I got to the end of the station, started running again, made it about 100 yards, and that was it. I couldn't go any further. I hopped back to a volunteer, they called the medics who came by and gave me an ice pack, and I called my ride to come meet me. I couldn't even walk, or I at least would have tried to make it to the finish line.

I don't know what happened, but whatever is wrong with my knee, it feels bad. Much worse than anything I've felt in my knees in a long time. I can barely walk right now -- any bending at all is just intense pain.

I am going to put it up, take some pain killers, and see how it feels this afternoon. If it isn't better, I may have to go to the hospital. Sh*t. The run was going well, except for the unbearable pain thing. I was right on pace, averaging 9:25/min when I stopped at the 5th mile marker. I didn't even feel tired at all. I was right where I wanted to be.

I ran twice this week, and my foot was sore, but my knee never bothered me. Whatever happened, it must have happened today. Sigh. What a crappy end to what should have been a fun day.

Edited 3:20 pm: Pain was too much, went to hospital. Got painkillers, a big knee brace, and a referral to an orthopedic who I need to call first thing in the morning...

6 comments:

Danielle in Iowa in Ireland said...

Bummer! I hope that knee feels better after a little RICE! :-(

Well, you made it farther than I did ;-)

Anonymous said...

Um yeah. SUCKO. And very weird to get a brand new injury during the race. I'm so sorry dude. Definitely keep up posted. Heal fast!

Joe said...

The perfect topper to today was to have to go and sit on the sideline for our soccer game. That sucked more than pulling out of the race. :(

Tammy said...

Oh no! That sucks. I have found that different pains/injuries come and go as my training progresses. Here's to hoping this is one that 'goes' for you.

Joe said...

Update:

The pain has lessened a bit, though my knee is now a little swollen, which it wasn't on Sunday. I have an appt with an orthopedic doctor on Friday morning. We'll see what he says. I am hoping it's just one of those, "Rest for a while and you'll be fine," things.

peter said...

Man, that sucks for Joe that he came up against the wall for the CB Race. Hang in there!