Relentless

Nothing this morning. I was even up-an-at-'em. So that wasn't the issue, but my knee was. It is still swollen and has a bit of pain in it at certain movement. I left my stuff at home so I didn't try something crazy after school. Then I'll decide tonight if the knee is feeling well enough to go out or not. I know it needs time off, but it is hard to lose those miles. Better a day or two now than a month or more later I guess.

Went to bed thinking I would be running, but when the alarm went off, and I got up, knee was still tight and swollen.  The pain was reduced, however.  Nonetheless, I decided to keep off it for a little longer and re-evaluate this afternoon.  Injuries suck.

AM - 5 Washington Loop. Decided if my knee felt at least as good as last night I would go out and give it a try in the morning. Got up and the knee felt pretty good. As I started off, and throughout the run, it felt very pudgy - kind of a squishy fat feeling. But for the most part it was okay. Then halfway into the run, a sharp pain developed on the inside of the knee and I wished I was close to home, so I could stop. Trying to loosen it, I did a butt-kick and that sent a very sharp pain all the way through me, so no more of those. The knee pain lasted for another mile; then I let my mind wander off and when I came back, the pain was gone. Iced and ib after. Now it feels just a small amount of swelling type of discomfort. I don't know if I'll go out this afternoon or not - if so it will be short, no more than 5. (Stratus 15)

evening - 5.15 Warm Springs and then down to ball fields for 1 mile barefoot grass.  Knee felt pretty decent this evening.  Not much pudginess and very little discomfort.  I wasn't sure if I should go run barefoot or not - I thought it might help align me a little, but I worried about the unsure footing of the grass.  I decided to; when I got there I interrupted someone's little session out in the middle of the field.  It reminded me of a time in high school - during a race at Dixie HS I led the pack down into Snow Park and there was a middle age couple doing their thing right next to the course (I could have reached out and kicked them), but they didn't seem to mind the distraction and kept on keepin' on.  For me, it was all the more reason to run fast and get out of there!  Anyway... the barefoot running was good once my feet were thoroughly frozen due to the wet grass.  (Paramount 283.6) 

AM - 5 on treadmill at 1%. Warmed up for 1/2 mile and then kept it just at 7:30 for the next mile and a half. The knee was feeling pretty decent and warmed up, so I took it down to 6:58 and finished out the next three. I will keep the miles pretty low the rest of the week and not lift tonight and hopefully all will feel back to normal next week. (Precision 78)

evening - 7 St. George Running Center Club run down trail through Dixie Downs and back up by Snow Canyon High School and onto trail and back.  Run was okay.  Here and there my knee was giving me problems.  I didn't push any parts.  (Cumulus silver 194.05) 

AM - 7.15 Green Springs. Slept in a little since almost all school is gone to the state football game, so no need to show up early - anyway, got going and run went well. My knee pain hasn't been showing up until the last section of the run. I don't know if that is good or bad. Headed up to Provo for Pre-Foot Locker this afternoon. (Precision 85.15)

PM - 5 in Orem.  Around UVSC and then into Orem a little.  Knee was still there.  (Stratus 20) 

AM - 7 up pass University Mall into Provo and turn around just pass the Provo River Trail. Still felt some twinges in the knee and decided to take the evening off after getting home from the race. (Stratus 27)

Knee is feeling 100% yet that's for sure, but the couple days off did help a bit.

Goals for next week: once again, get my knee better.  Play it safe and smart.  Get some good runs in and bring the total for the week up if my knee lets me.  Don't freeze in SLC.  Eat a lot of turkey!