Saturday, April 17, 2010

Well, I tried...

I tried to walk, really I did. But, something in me wouldn't let me. I took about 10 steps past the start and had to jog/run/trot, whatever you want to call it.
(Here I am at the start. There were so many people for the 5k that it took them more than 10 minutes to get everyone out of the shoot.)

I woke up this morning with pain in my knee. I was thinking that it was just sore from using the foam roller for the first time at the PT office and from all the stretches & exercises I have been doing. I was nervous that I wouldn't even be able to walk the 5k. Last night was a rough night, I just kept thinking negative thoughts and I wanted to quit. I wanted to quit everything, the training, the marathon, the 5k.  But, when I was getting ready this morning I told myself I would do as much as I can do....and that's what I did. I ran. I ran without pain for the first half and then I started to feel it coming on after a little while, but I found that if I landed a certain way or if I didn't bend my knee as much as I usually do than it didn't hurt. I did take a couple of walking steps here and there, but I listened to my body and did what it wanted to do. If it said to keep running, I kept running. If it said to slow down and walk, I walked.

(Almost at the finish...I wonder if I could say I was walking in this picture...I'm not sure the PT would believe me. lol)

I made it across the finish line in 38.04, not bad for having a bum knee, huh? The funny thing is, last year at this time my average 5k time was 47 minutes. Even with a bum knee I'm faster than I was a year ago. J even said this was the most excited/happy looking he's seen me at the finish. He said it looked like I was really enjoying myself. :)

Right now, about 6 hours after my race, I have NO pain at all. My muscles are sore, but that's to be expected. I feel like I'm 100%. I am being careful though. There is no way I'm going to jump back into running 8 or 10 or 15 miles any time soon. I'm still going to walk and cross train and strength train next week and I may throw in a minute or two of jogging every once in a while during a walk, but I'm being careful. I want to heal and I want to be 100% for my marathon. :)

Oooh, I also went and weighed in today and guess who's down 2 pounds!! It pays off when you track your food. I'm only 5.6 pounds from my goal weight. Go me!

9 comments:

@mie said...

Woo Hoo Wonder Woman!!! =)
You are awesome!

Unknown said...

That is so awesome! Totally made me smile! Even with a bum knee you blew away your time from last year!

KC (my 140 point 6 mile journey) said...

great job! even with a bum knee. keep listening to your body.

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

You are so awesome! And you looked super fabulous! Congrats!

Christina said...

Not shabby for a bummed knee! :)
You looked like you had a good time!

Kerrie said...

Nice! Great pics, too. :)

Unknown said...

Nice work. It's funny how our bodies can work properly when we think something is broken. I had a similar problem in the winter with my back. You're wise to be careful still.

bobbie said...

I agree, you do look like you enjoyed it even w/ a bum knee:)! Great job on the improving time also!!

misszippy said...

Wow--you have made HUGE progress! That's awesome. Glad the knee held out also; maybe a good sign of things to come!