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Beginner Running

Lori S.

Knee Problems Race only 6 weeks away!

asked 4 months ago | Report

Hi,
I'm a "beginner runner" ran my first 5K last year. REALLY wanted to run the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon so I signed up with 8 weeks to train, my goal for the race is to finish (and not get pulled from the race with their 16 minute maximum). Have had some knee problems in the past but really need to focus on getting mileage for this half coming up. My problem is my knee pain is really getting in the way of me being able to run for a long period of time and it's making me nervous about being able to complete the half. I'm icing/heating it after every run including stretching/warming up/cooling down before and after. I'm wearing a knee brace and soak in Epsom salt after every long run as well. Any other advice?

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  Ryan

  My gut reaction is to say skip the half, figure out your knee issues first and then once you've got that under control, then find a half to run.
  However, in re-reading your post, I'm unclear whether you are experiencing knee pain know (and thus the brace and stretching and icing), or whether you've had knee pain in the past and are doing all that preventatively.

  What sort of knee pain? There are all kinds - where is it? when does it appear? under what conditions?

  answered 4 months ago |Report

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  Lamond V.

  Knee pain can have several different causes. If you add mileage the condition might just get worse. Based on my past experience, I would cut back miles for a couple of weeks and see if the condition gets better. If not, you could need physical therapy or other professional intervention. If that doesn't leave time to train for the half, you may need to skip. Unfortunately, sometimes that happens.

  Long term, I recommend checking into Chi running, to help improve form and reduce injuries. I'm just in the beginning stages, but already noticing a difference.

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