My dad is a runner, and he has been ever since I can remember. Matter of fact, he runs every single day, and has been doing so for years and year and years. I’m actually not exaggerating; he doesn’t miss a single day, which means he’s way more reliable than my daily newspaper guy. By the way Da (deliberately misspelled because he is too cool for the last d), you might have what the medical professionals call an exercise addiction, but I fully support it and you. Keep on running.
Now you know where my drive comes from.
In any event, whenever I go home for a visit my dad always asks, “Do you wanna go for a run?” to which I always respond “No, but thanks.” Poor guy, he tries. It’s not that I don’t want to hang with him, but I don’t run because I have shitty arthritic knees (yes, even though I’m only in my mid-thirties), which lock up about one mile into every run and the pain can be excruciating. I’ve actually been to a doctor (not willingly; the Hubby dragged me) only to be told I have arthritis and extremely unstable platella (i.e. my knee caps could pop out at any second), which he then translated to no exercise where your knees leave the ground.
So I did what any completely rational person would do when banned from basic exercise. I signed up for a Tough Mudder at the end of July. Obviously.
Now I may do some idiotic things, although I would argue this isn’t one of them, and I know a big part of the Tough Mudder is running. Ten to twelve miles in fact, so I’ve got three months to figure out if I can work through and past the excruciating knee pain or come to grips with walking the Mudder. Side note, the very idea of walking it offends me, but I’m not a total fool and if that’s what happens, I’ll figure out how to deal with it, but I’m nowhere near ready to admit defeat.
As a result, I’ve been going out on weekends for small jogs. It started with some easy one mile runs and then progressed to two miles, even though there has been very specific discomfort in my right knee, which ranges from manageable pain to not so manageable. It always kicks in right after mile one, and it’s starting to piss me off. My wind and stamina are fine, and I know I could go much further if my knees would simply stop betraying me. The last two runs I did with the Hubby were pretty dismal and discouraging. The pain got so rough I had to stop and walk several times, and we never made it past two miles. I was beyond frustrated.
Then something happened on Monday night, and I have no explanation for it.
I went out for a run after work, all by my lonesome, and not only did my knees hold up, but the discomfort was minimal. In fact, somewhere between mile one and two when I realized the typical pain had yet to surface and with Flo Rida’s Club Can’t Handle Me pumping through my ear buds, I got really happy; like huge shit eating grin happy (where does that phrase come from and why would eating shit make anyone grin?). I had the most ridiculous smile plastered across my face, and I’m quite sure I looked rather silly, but I didn’t care and I even covered three and half miles, the furthest I’ve run pain-free in years.
Now I know three miles isn’t much in the grand scheme of things (hell, I’d probably knock that out in a matter of minutes on a spin bike), but it’s a step, albeit a small one, so I’ll take it, and I’ll revel in it because I’m extra pleased with myself (my ego swells yet again).
In fact, I’ve decided I don’t actually hate running. What’s more, I’m secretly looking forward to trying it again this weekend and maybe even saying “yes” the next time my dad asks me, “Do you wanna go for a run?”
Are you a runner? Any tricks to working through knee pain? What’s your favorite form of exercise? Do you listen to music when exercising and if so, what kind?
P.S. I hope to see you all on Monday for the Week In Review link up party.
Fran@BCDC says
It’s the sneakers…because they’re fluorescent!! Yes, Yes…I’ll be here for the Week in Review on Monday! I’ve already started my post! Yippee!
Meghan says
Glad to hear it; I can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to Fran.
I love color and those sneakers make me smile because they are so bright.
Khushboo says
Yay that’s awesome about your run! I love that last picture- so true! I have a love-hate relationship with running and right now it’s the latter…nothing crazy, about 2-4 miles at a time but it feels great! Enjoy your run this weekend and fingers crossed your knees hold up!
Meghan says
Thanks Khushboo. I actually ordered some knee band things, which are suppose to help with knee pain. I’m hoping they work, because as great as Monday was, it was likely a fluke thing and I’ll need some help.
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because says
YAY! I’m so glad to hear that your run was pain-free and successful!
When I was training for my half, I found that cross-training really helped whenever I started to feel any sort of knee pain. I always feel a little bit of joint pain when I get started (nowhere near as bad as you described), just a little ache that would go away after a mile or two. But if it got worse or didn’t go away after a few more miles, I would stop and then use the elliptical for a day or two.
Also, I learned that you shouldn’t really be able to hear your feet hit the ground. Any slap-slapping noise might mean your feet are hitting too hard.
Good luck with the race! It sounds like fun!
Meghan says
You did a half marathon. I’m so impressed. Good info on the feet slapping the pavement thing; I think I do hear mine, but I’ll be listening now for sure. I also do try to take it easy after a run for at least a day, sometimes two so I can give my knees a chance to recover.
caren says
Love those RUNNERS (btw, “runners’ is canadian for sneakers, eh?).
Oh, and you are batshit cray cray for doing a mud run. No amount of champaign and chocolate could make me do such madness.
Enjoy it, but don’t wear those runners!
Meghan says
Runners eh…I like that. I may start calling my sneakers that now. It appeals to me and my bat shit cray cray, which I won’t deny. 😉
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear says
That’s awesome that you ran pain free! Hilarious that you signed up for the tough mudder too… be careful! haha. And I have a love/hate relationship with running. Sometimes I LOVE it and get a runners high & other times my knees ache and I want to punch a baby in the face. Just depends on the day for me 😛
Meghan says
Uh oh, babies beware!
Your knees ache too? What do you do about it? Anything?
Brittany says
Oh hot damn I LOVE this post!!! For so many reasons. I love that you knees are feeling better, I LOVE that you signed up for this race, and I LOVE that the idea of walking offends you..I feel the same way. I also know that if necessary walking is 100% acceptable to prevent injury. Soon enough you will be able to go on those runs with your da..maybe..only if you want to of course. I’ve had some knee issues, but I don’t have arthritis so a patellar brace has helped me work through/with the issues!
Meghan says
I actually got a patellar brace based on a post YOU wrote awhile back. I wore it for the first time tonight and went for a run. Pain free again and another 3.5 miles. This might work. I’m beyond excited.
Allie says
You go with yo’ runnin’ self! (Although I do like you WITH knee caps, so, you know, listen to your body and all that jazz.) I’m no runner, but I sure do admire those who do!
Meghan says
It’s a fine line for me. I tend to go a little overboard sometimes (just a tad) so I’m hoping “training” ahead of time will help me from killing myself on the actual day to the point where I really do damage my knees. I will keep your words of wisdom in my mind though, because I like me with knee caps too, so I would do well to remember that.
Liz says
Running is my favorite exercise for sure! I love the high it gives me and feel that I get the most ‘bang for my buck’. I’m highly motivated to reach new bests in speed and distance. I started getting knee pain, though not sure from what. Reading up on it I decided to do extra strength work on my thigh muscles (apparently they support the knee) and lay off the sprinting. The latter was the hardest because I love doing intervals and my favorite part of a run is the last half mile where I throw the rest of what I’ve got into it. But, I did see a major difference. Every once in a while I get that twinge of pain and know it is a sign to take things a little easier. As for music, it definitely makes the workout! I’ve been loving Skrillex and dub step beats lately. Which reminds me… I’m long overdue on your mix. Will have to get on that!!
Meghan says
Yes, yes, yes especially now that I’m working out to music again. I would love a new mix. I love the idea of doing sprints, but then again I love the idea of not having knee replacement surgery so sometimes we got to pay attention and maybe scale back just a little. Although I will definitely be tapping you on the shoulder for good running mojo. I’m going to need it.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I used to listen to music, and now I listen to The Love & Sex Show with Dr. Jenn from Cosmo Radio. Perhaps the reason I am so slow is that I just get too mentally caught up in everyone’s relationship drama?
I have gone through this crazy “I hate running. Why are you running, Sister and Papa Smart? Y’all are fools. Oh wait…it feels awesome. Let me see how much further I can run. Keep on running. Holy heck this is amazing! Hmm…do I really want to run? I don’t know. Ouch. I want to listen to Cosmo Radio. I want to watch Real Housewives on the elliptical. If I don’t run twelve miles everyone on IG will think I’m LAME. I want to run! It’s warm! I don’t want to run…it’s FREEZING” cycle of thought over the past year.
So do I like running? Yes. Yes I do.
Meghan says
So you’re a slow runner then?
I know I certainly am, but I think my old man pace helps keep the knee pain at bay. I’ve been meaning to listen to Jillian Michaels podcasts and you totally just reminded me of that. Thank you very much, and it sounds like I should check out this sex show too, especially since I’m all about the mad monkey love these days.
Jessie says
GET IT GIRLLLL!!!! So happy & excited for you. Way to show the knee whose bossss
Meghan says
Thanks Jessie. We’ll see how they hold up.
Eating 4 Balance says
I am not a runner, but I always have wanted to be. Every year I try to get into it when Spring kicks up, however I just don’t think it’s for me. I tend to get side stitches and have a hard time breathing within the first half mile. Give me a dance class though (that was free 😀 ) and I’d be one happy girl. Unfortunately that is one thing that my college does not give away for free (unlike all the gazillions of free t-shirts that I have already acquired from my first year).
This is like one of those epic stories where you are rooting for the main character the whole time and I am totally rooting for you Meg! I had no idea that you were experiencing such pain when you run and that’s so great to here that your last run went so well. Excited to see you train and succeed with your Tough Mudder!
Meghan says
I think side cramps or stitches are supposed to be because your pace and breathing isn’t consistent, although my advice would be to stick with what you know and love (i.e. dance). So long as you’re moving and grooving, you’ll be fine. I don’t really talk about the knee pain because 97% I don’t run which is the safest and easiest way to avoid it, but by signing up for the Mudder, I’m forcing my own hand. What’s that saying…don’t bite the hand that feeds you…hmmmm.
By the way, comparing this to an epic story where I am the main character (and the underdog) made me smile that shit eating grin again. I will think of this on every run, while hearing the Rocky theme song in the background of my mind. You’re the best.
Eating 4 Balance says
Oh gosh I need to get a theme song going to pump me up. Maybe that would help me with running 😀 Good point about the pace too. I think I would benefit from a nice walk before as a warm-up but then I just lose all drive to move from the “walking” to “running” part. haha.
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
Do I run? Only while on active duty, or if someone is chasing me.
However, and a teensy twinge of resentment bubbled up when reading “the very idea of walking it offends me” though I know you running types are weird and I forgive you, I will not be inviting you to walk the USAF Half with me in Sept. I’ll go it alone. Though I’m interested in motivational music, because for the 5Ks it’s been my spouse dragging me forward that keeps me going, and when he’s gone I’ll put in the ear buds.
I’m pleased that you had a breakthrough on your run, and that you can announce to the world that you don’t hate running. That’s huge!
Meghan says
Let me clarify. The idea of walking a Tough Mudder offends me because the whole idea is to be balls to the wall. The idea of walking in my normal, sane, regular life is appealing so much so I was on a walking team one year, and it kicked ass, so I can appreciate the true value and work required in walking. It’s legit, and I would be honored to walk the USAF Half with you should you invite me, but for the Tough Mudder….no, just no. Not if I can help it anyway. Happy Saturday.
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
Wow! I just watched the Tough Mudders video you posted and can not even express how much I’d like to run that! I’ve never actually trained to run an competitive race though, so it seems a little intimidating. That song is also on my workout playlist. There’s nothing like a great song to get you pumped up. I’ve had those moments of just sheer joy of moving to a great song that have had me smiling and rocking out to the music ;). I hope that your injuries heal up quickly! I’ll stay tuned to hear most about how your running goes 🙂
Meghan says
I like a challenge so this event is right up my alley, although ask me in again a coupe of months and I may be singing a different tune…not that I can carry one of those.
I love workout songs and all songs, but again I can’t carry a tune.
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
Where do you feel the pain in your knee? Have you ever thought about getting a brace or something for support? Also, you might want to think about icing your knee after running if there is a little discomfort…that way you don’t end up with a lot of build up inflammation. I’m glad you were able to enjoy a run and I know exactly what you mean with the whole shit-eating grin and happiness, but just be careful darlin! I don’t want you to push yourself too far and end up laid up on the couch with an injury…or even worse, on crutches! I swear I wouldn’t wish those fuckers on my worst enemy. Yep, even the thought of them makes me utter obscenities!
Meghan says
You’re so smart. I actually just bought one of those patellar bands and used it over the weekend. I think (??) it helped, but in the past, the pain usually comes about 1 mile into the run. It’s always at the the bottom right side of my knee cap. It feels like an intense pressure coupled with pain…sorta like my knee cap is going to bust out of my skin, Sigourney Weaver Alien style. It’s a feeling that makes me say, “This is not right,” which is why I don’t normally run. I’m going to try to build up my endurance over the next few weeks and see if it helps. If not, I’ll resort to walking because I don’t want to end up on crutches. Those fuckers do suck. Thanks for all the advice. I’ll giv the icing thing a whirl too. It can’t hurt. Hell, it might even help prep me for the Mudder’s ice bath.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
I am completely exercise obsessed – I guess there are WORSE THINGS to be obsessed with, lol!! 😉
Meghan says
Without a doubt. Stick to the exercise.
Sara says
My dad used to run in the NYC marathon – I can’t stand running. Do I just need to force myself? I read somewhere that exercise addiction is genetic. Maybe that gene skipped me and it’s just not in the cards for me. I exercise for how I great I feel afterwards – but during? I would rather be anywhere else.
Meghan says
If you hate it, I wouldn’t recommend it for you. I say try to find an exercise you actually enjoy, like walking your pooches.