Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Some nerve!

Last week on a few of my runs I noticed a tightness behind my right knee which evolved to pain towards the outer side of my knee as the run progressed. It always seemed to flare up right around the 6K mark, though it didn't seem to be getting worse from one day to the next and disappeared immediately once I stopped running.

I decided not to take into chances and skipped the long run this weekend in favour of a shorter run + Spin class, and made an appointment for physio on Monday morning. Unfortunately Dr. Pain is away, but one of his proteges was able to see me and clearly he has been learning from the boss! (ouch)

After a few motion tests, he resolved that it seems to be a nerve issue stemming from a tight lower back. (I spend far too much time hunched over my desk!) After an extensive treatment including some deep-tissue work on my tight right calf, he gave me instructions to gently stretch my lower back before and after runs as well as throughout the day.




[don't mind the mess on the table!]

I'm modeling a shirt that Icebreaker sent me, along with a few other goodies. Reviews to follow!


I actually got down on the BATHROOM FLOOR at work yesterday to stretch before and after my lunch run... I need to remember a bigger towel for next time! *cringe* The run went well without any discomfort, so hopefully it's helping. We'll see how it feels on a slightly longer run with my group tonight.

About yesterday's run - it was a gorgeous sunny day, but I checked The Weather Network just before heading out to decide what to wear: 14C/57F. Beauty! Note to self: don't forget to check the wind speed! 50 kph (31 mph) winds for approximately half of my route caught me off guard and made things interesting! Somehow I still managed a perfectly unplanned 8K progression run from 5:40 for the first K to 5:03 for the last, which was straight into that lovely wind. 


HBBC Update
Mon. Nov. 22 - run (3.7), 15 mins. elliptical (1), 1h Spin (6) = 8.7
Tue. Nov. 23 - run (5), F&V (1) = 6

30 comments:

Scarlett said...

Hi there! I'm having a similar problem! Frustrating but I guess it teaches me to cross train. S T R E T C H!!!

Fifty K said...

Hope you get things all figured out. Only been following your blog for a short period of time so I'm sure if you already do yoga or not. If you don't, look in to it as yoga is the best kind of stretching there is. It is quite enjoyable too!

Fifty K said...

Hope you get things all figured out. Only been following your blog for a short period of time so I'm sure if you already do yoga or not. If you don't, look in to it as yoga is the best kind of stretching there is. It is quite enjoyable too!

Unknown said...

glad it doesn't seem to be anything too serious!

Anonymous said...

oh i know all about that wind! it sure was windy. i went to a bank drive thru and my money almost went flying! hahha

hopefully all the stretching helps! good luck!

Teamarcia said...

Glad you're taking 'the bull by the horns' and addressing this early!

It never ceases to amaze me how so many aches and pains actually stem from another issue elsewhere in the body. After my stint in the pool earlier this year (achilles injury) I realized how much the impact of running was compressing my spine.

macnic said...

You look great! Glad the fix is simple.

Bethany + Ryan said...

yup, it's ALL connected! you look great by the way!

RunToTheFinish said...

isn't it amazing how one little thing can cause all kinds of others? the chiro has made such a difference in teaching me this and keeping me injury free

Meg said...

Sorry, didn't read your post. I was too caught up staring at you. HOLY HELL you're TINY! Work those HBBC points girl.

Johann said...

I think we get a lot of pains and niggles because we sit so much and wrong for long hours at work. Hope this helps for you!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Nice that you jumped right on getting the issue taken care of! But do remember a bigger towel. ick.

Loving those HBBC pts. Eat those F/V!!

Emz said...

YAY for getting it sorted early on!

Love the "in action" photos. ;)

Denise said...

the bathroom floor. EEEEK!!!

i learned a lot in my personal training studying about how tight hamstrings/hip flexors, etc can really affect posture and cause back pain. it's interesting how linked and related everything is.

Lindsay said...

Umm. I would go out to the parking lot before I resorted to the bathroom floor. Yuckkkk.

Where the heck did you go? I can barely see you in those pics ;) Hello Ms Awesome At Watching What you Eat!!

Alanna said...

Good job on your run! Please send our weather back... apparently Canada is very confused as to which part of the country is supposed to be cold this time of year! :)

J said...

You look great in those pictures girl! Glad you are stretching and figuring out that whole pain thing - running with pain is no fun! I refuse to get down on the floor at work - it is SO disgusting!

Laura said...

You are fading to nothing!
Glad it is nothing serious!

misszippy said...

Glad it's an easy fix! I am a sloucher at my desk, too, I must admit. I'll have to try your stretches!

Char said...

Isn't it amazing that a tight lower back can make your knee sore? Good on you for dealing with it promptly.

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

Wow, you definitely have an impressive doctor (or guy who has been learning from your doctor haha). I went to about 20 and they all told me my knee issues were related to different things... sigh.

Yikes for the bathroom floor! Big towel necessary.

Heidi said...

You guys have it warm out there. Nice! We had killer winds last weekend, but -3. Hope your stretches help.

Still Running said...

Windy was right! Lost my hat 3 times and only ran 3.5 miles! You look fabulous in your pics.

ajh said...

I just went in the living room and did some extra rolls because of something behind my knee! Stay healthy!

Nicole said...

Fingers crossed these are just minor pains... i dont want you ending up like I am. No running sucks!

Julie D. said...

ah shoot, hope your knee pain is quickly resolved. Sounds like you are doing the right thing!! I agree with some of the other comments...you are lookin SKINNY! you go, marlene!

Richelle said...

Hmmm... I'm wondering if something in my back (or maybe foot, hip, or lower leg) is causing my right knee pain. I hope that these new back exercises will fix the knee pain.

Amy said...

Glad you got that problem sorted out in a hurry! Isn't it crazy how the back can effect the rest of the body?

I'll trade you some sun for some snow...

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Holy cow you are so THIN!!! You look GREAT

Quinton J said...

Dude – you have gotten incredibly fit this year. You look amazing.

Also, I don’t understand how you could have lower back pain when you wear those awesome socks. It just doesn’t make any sense.

Here’s to you not having anymore pain!