Runnin' in Mud...

Hwy. 205, 12:05 p.m., sunny, 73, and very windy.  I had to eat and run within 30 min. of each other.  The heat must have gotten to me as well.  This run sucked!  I cut it a bit short because my rt. knee was feeling odd.  I think it is my ITB that it causing the knee issues.  I will take a day off and see.  I don't consider this an injury, but it could reach that level if I'm not careful.  I have never had knee issues, ever.  If I stop and stretch the knee and IT band out during a run, the tightness in the knee goes away.  It may come back, but only randomly.  It is quite strange.  Perhaps, I suffer from post traumatic injury disorder from the previous stress fracture.  I AM SOOOO PARANOID about being injured again. I didn't get in my 11-12 miles, but I'm not worried.  This run included 4 miles @ HM pace (~6:35/mile) and, despite the heat, etc., I felt okay with that.  8 miles in 58:00 (7:15 pace). 

I decided that a few days off would be a good idea.  I want to watch the left knee, especially so close to the HM.  I have identified that the patella tendom seems to randomly get irritated during some of my runs.  I don't recall stepping on anything that would have strained it.  I feel it about 10% of each run and never is what I would consider painful. 

One more day off for good measure... 

Hwy. 205, 4:00 p.m., cloudy, 49.  The weather was perfect today.  I have had two days off and wondered about the knee.  I have been stretching.  I ran with Enrique today and kept it quite easy.  The first 1/2 mile or so, it was throbbing a bit (first time doing that).  After a 1/2 mile, I didn't feel it anymore.  Strange, huh?  I opened the stride up a few times to test the knee and it was completely normal.  Another easy day and then I'll test it at HM pace.  6 miles in 47:20 (7:53 pace).  When I run with my neighbor, I tend to slow way down, which is good.  I need more of these.  

Hwy. 205, 5:00 p.m., cloudy, 45.  Really windy from the north, so out was a bit slow.  Negative split of :25.  Knee felt good for 3 miles (no problems), but then it got tight around the patella tendom.  I put the patella strap on and it felt better.  I took it off after 1/2 mile and then it was fine again.  I have never liked the idea with running with any type of brace on, as I feel that you shouldn't have to wear such items to run.  Generally, it means you're injured and you probably don't need to run or might make it worse.  I have been doing ITB stretches, thinking that it might be a kneecap tracking issue.  I know I am blowing this waaaaay out of proportion, but I gotta have some drama.  Perhaps, this is all in my pea brain.  5 miles in 37:40 (7:32 pace).  Tomorrow, I plan to do some HM pace running in flats.

That's right - no run again!  It began snowing/raining/sleeting and got heavier as the day went on.  By the time, I left work, there was a bit of accumulation.  See, in Memphis, we don't get that much snow and the entire city shuts down.  People are not used to driving.  I actually feared for my life, had I taken to the streets.  My daughter has a nasty cold and I think I'm coming down with it.  I feel pretty blah and lots of head congestion.  A run probably would have made me feel better, but the treadmill didn't sound too appealing.  My goal race is next Sunday, so this will be my "taper" week.  

Hwy. 205, 1:00 p.m., sunny, 38.  Warmed up 2 miles (7:32 avg) and then 2x2 miles @ 6:40 pace.  I rec. w/1 easy mile (7:45).  My last set was ~6:45 pace, but I had a nice head/cross wind for much of it.  I also feel like I'm getting a cold.  This pace felt a bit too tough to be HM pace.  From my previous training and recent race, it is very close to 6:38-6:40.  Hey, it snowed 5 inches last night!!  8 miles in 58:04 (7:16 pace).  An easy fartlek long run tomorrow to, hopefully, bring some snap back into the old chicken legs.