23 Mile Run: Knee Tester

So I managed to get through the 23 miler in 3:45 at an average heart rate of 128 bpm. I felt like I was running on ice the entire time, so worried was I that a single step at the wrong angle would snap my ACL like a twig and leave me hobbling for years (no offense Dominic.)

Every six or seven miles I'd stop and ask myself "Am I rTarded?" The answer that came back was always "Yes" so I rephrased to "Am I rTarded for doing this run?" The answer that came back was "No, not yet."

When you pay attention to any part of your body on every single step of a 23 mile run there are bound to be phantom pains. I felt some such pains but whenever it scared me I'd just compare it to my right (good) knee and generally I found that the right knee had more pain happening at any point in time. This made me think that at the very least I hadn't exacerbated the situation in my left knee.

No sharp twinges on the run. I did treat my knees gingerly. Not too fast and not too slow... each condition often putting more stress on the joints. I ran two minutes faster than last week. Given the lower temperature this means it was slightly less exertion this week. So, apparently I can run in a straight line... which is good enough for right now. No trail running though.

Last week I learned about complacency on the 23 miler. I had the proper amount of respect on this run. Thinking that you may not be able to run for a while makes you appreciate every step you can take. Running's therapy and I don't want my therapist to go backpacking through Europe sleeping with every euro-stud she meets. I want her right here at home listening to me whine about darn near everything.

Got out at 5:30am, per normal. Love the darkness. Love watching the sky change colors. Love watching people pop out of nowhere.

Overall nothing special about the run, aside from the fact that my knee didn't explode. Now it's time to ice the heck out of it. It feels fine and I'd like to keep it that way.

• 

  phone camera pics

• 

  phone camera pics