Runner's Knee - training for half marathon

solovely

I did my first ten mile race at the weekend (Ballycotton in under 84 mins) and absolutely loved it!!

When I did my first long training run, my knee started to hurt. I took it fairly easy for the last two weeks before the race, and it hurt on and off. It started to twinge again on the day at around 6 miles, but I was able to ignore it. It killed me then for the evening and again yesterday. It's fine today though, feels completely normal. I've been using voltarol on it, so that probably helped.

Anyway, a lot of googling has told me it's probably Runner's Knee. Pain sounds the same, and I fit the profile - female, been running a year and a half, just started to do 10 miles. From what I can see, I need to rest it for about 2 weeks and work on building up my hamstrings and quads? Right?

I'm hoping to do a half marathon at the start of May. Do you think this would be realistic? Would I be able to "fix" myself by then and be pain free do you think? What would be the best way to get on track for it, building up my fitness and distance, but not damaging the knee? I'd love to do the half marathon in under 1hr50.

Thanks

dahat

Google Physio and go see one!!!!.........best way to cure it

huskerdu

Definitely see a physio.

A physio will give you a proper diagnosis , do some analysis of the root
cause and a personalised plan of stretching and strengthening exercises.

it will be the best €60 you will spend.

You sound like you want to have proper go at a good half marathon,
so better see a physio now, than risk having a worse injury and no half marathon if you aggrevate the knee by weeks of training.

solovely

Do you think it would need physio? It doesn't seem that bad. I regularly go for Amatsu (type of sports massage/ therapy) but not sure if it's what I need for this.

kennyb3

The best advice i can given you is not to underestimate it. Running through injuries like this can make them chronic fairly quickly.

So as said above go and get a proper diagnosis.

tunney

First problem with this thread is what is runners knee?
ITBS?
Patella Tendonitis?
Chondromalacia of the patella?

It is a vague term that means different things to different people.

Go to a physio that is recommended by other runners for being good and swift (most are sh1t and take ages(read many expensive sessions) to get anything done)

solovely

Thanks folks. Has anyone ever received Amatsu for running injuries? Just Amatsu and physio are so different, and my Amatsu guy is totally anti physio so I would hate to undo the progress I've made with Amatsu by going to see a physio.

Also, what would you recommend to get me nicely to a good half marathon pace after a 10 mile, if I have to take it easy for a few weeks?

Thanks a million for all your posts.

RayCun

Amatsu hasn't worked for you so far :rolleyes:
Go see someone who specialises in running injuries, a physio or physical therapist. As tunney points out, there are a lot of things it could be, so find out what it is, and get it corrected.

solovely

Amatsu has been excellent for back and shoulder pain, that's why I go, not specifically for knee injury. I wouldn't like to go to a physio who would undo all the progress I've made that way with Amatsu. I would never have been able to start running had I not done Amatsu.

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it, and I think I get what you mean. I'll look into who I can see and ask around. I might give my Amatsu a quick shout first though

huskerdu

Sorry, but I dont know anything about Amatsu Sports Massage.

The reason that people here have recommended a Physio is that we cant diagnose you over the internet.

Why cant your Amatsu Massager person diagnose and treat you ?

As tunney as pointed out you have self-diagnosed your pain as runners knee, but there are a number of completely different complaints that are sometimes described as runners knee, so we still dont know what sort of knee pain you have.


For your half-marathon, have a look at the Hal Higdon Half Marathon training plans and see where your current training fits and start from wherever you feel is appropriate.

Here is some general advice.

If 10 miles is the longest run you have done, then increase the length of your long runs by 10% a time, keeping the pace slow. You need to get used to time on your feet. Pace will come with strength.

Do some shorter runs at your race pace (5.12min/km for 1.50 half marathon).

84 minutes is a good time for your first 10 mile race, you should meet your target is you build uo your strenght slowly and avoid injury.

Good luck

seanynova

solovely wrote: »

I would never have been able to start running had I not done Amatsu

have you not read 'born to run'???

physio and/or rest, preferable both to help you get your legs fine. there is obviously a prob there, ignore it and you will be worse off.
plenty of half marathons around, summer, autumn, winter..next spring and so on an so forth, no rush

Cutex

Solovely

My brother is an amatsu practitioner but still goes to a Physio for his knee problem. The physio will not be doing the same kind of thing as amatsu. They will diagnose your problem and give you specific exercise to strengthen whatever area needs strengthening as a well as tell you what rest or recuperation you need. Amatsu is not sports injury therapy!!!

Do not leave it go and run through it you could end up being off for a long time!

Hope your back to your best soon and break that 1:50