Runner's Knee

Unfortunately, I find myself facing another injury this year and the biggest challenge since I starting running just over 2 years ago. If my self diagnosis is correct, which from looking at the symptoms I can’t think it could be anything else then it seems that I am suffering from runner’s knee. It started to play up 2 weekends prior and progressively got worse last week. I haven’t run again and I wasn't exactly running a lot before, averaging around 10 miles a week so I’m not quite sure what caused it. However, from examining the causes that can lead to the issue, I need to consider whether my running shoes were a factor in that they may have gone beyond their mileage resulting in a reduced cushioning performance which may have translated into higher impact on my knees.  In fact they can't be as I've only done about 330 miles in them since Mar 13.  The following sites provide some further information on the problem if interested.

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/beating-injury/bodyworks-runners-knee/229.html

http://www.marathon-training-guides.com/runners-knee.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/199726-exercises-to-help-runners-knee/

It’s extremely frustrating and depressing, as the weather has improved and it hasn’t been raining but, now it looks like I’m going to have to avoid running on it for a while to give it the best chance of recovery. That means all my fitness is going to disappear and when I do start running again, my asthma is going to make it unpleasant for a while until my body gets back in the swing of things. Until then I need to do something that at least gives me a fighting chance of maintaining some of my fitness and to ensure that I don’t start piling on the pounds, especially with Christmas just around the corner and another week away at Lancaster University early in December scoffing hotel food and drink.

So I need to get a new routine up and running (no pun intended) if I am to stick at it. Thankfully, I have access to a cheap gym therefore I think swimming is my only option and leg/core strengthening exercises at the moment. So, I’m going to leave it a whole week of rest, then aim to start on Monday.

Monday Update: Started today on my new regime; jogged slowly to the pool (about 1 mile), swam for about 20 minutes continuously, got bored, ran back to work, some chest tightness as expected but, no adverse knee pain to speak of yet but only time will tell. If all goes swimmingly (no pun intended), will continue with this routine tomorrow and then Thursday. If all goes ok, I might alternate with cycling and other low impact activities before I gradually start to build up my running fitness again. The short runs to and from the gym will also help with this.

Nights drawing in

With the arrival of darker nights following the clock change and winter temperatures, one of the negatives of running in a running club at 6.30 pm has come to light (or not as the case may be). To that end I will decide each week throughout the winter as to whether I prefer to see where I’m going albeit on my own at run lunchtimes or whether I run with others in the club, but in complete darkness with poor street lighting and glare from car lights and reflections. 

I won't be able to completely avoid running in darkness this winter though as when I am working on my post graduate study at Lancaster University, the only time I can fit a run in is after 6 pm as I don't do early morning runs especially in the winter when there is a high chance of ice or slippery conditions.

Other than that, my running has been pretty steady since my last blog update, averaging between 8 and 12 miles a week depending on whether I manage 2 or 3 runs in a week.  

Because of my study I have introduced some new routes into my routine when away studying.  One particular route, involved a long climb to a wind turbine but was rewarded with views to Blackpool Tower and illuminations in the distance on the way back down, even the path of the M6 carving through the Lancashire countryside below looked serene in failing light.  

Unfortunately I didn't stop to take a photo but will endeavour to include more in the future.