Can I do this? HELP!

GillianLF

Hey MFP Community,

I'm supposed to do a 5k this evening (its Tuesday morning here in Ireland). I woke up with a head cold and everything sounds underwater. I haven't run in 6 weeks due to runners knee and did a 2k jog on a treadmill last night to test it. It still twinges but I can run on it if I take it easy.

I'm already starting to talk myself out of running tonight.
What if it lashes rain (very likely...this is Ireland) and the cold gets worse, what if I do my knee some serious damage? All very valid but it is only 5k...I could walk it if I had to.

I picked up my race pack yesterday and was all excited about it, thinking to myself well if I complete in under 40 minutes (given my lack of training) I'll be happy. My last 5k was in June, 30minutes 22 seconds. I've an epic running playlist on the ipod.

I think I just feel like I'm trying to be something I'm not given the lack of training. I think I feel inadequate today and a bit sorry for myself with the headcold. I know I can do this but I need a little bit of support so that I can hold myself accountable and not back out.

Can I do this?

lseed87

You could but might be more walking than running.

Or not do it and train for the next one asap.. or do it and also train to be better than that race time too...

good luck with whichever you decide

Steve4239

just wrap your knee or carry a wrap and don't hit it too hard

GillianLF

Thanks. I think I'll have to walk most of it. I've a 10k in November that I want to do in less than an hour so don't want to aggravate a recovering injury.
I hadn't thought of a support or wrap. I'll hit the running store at lunch and see what they recommend.

GillianLF

Minds made up. Read some inspiring posts by some friends here. 5k will be a walk in the park (perhaps literally) and I'll be glad I did it.

999tigger

walk us fine and vetter than a run becayse you are going to remind yourself a run would be foolish and your knee is not fully healed, so its an intelligent compromise. If you have any doubts about your knee and ability to walk then be honest and do not hesitate to cancel and go another day. You must be responsible and listen to your own body. Do no try and run. Take some music, podcast or audibook you cna listen to.

adam_g85

Runners knee comes from a tight itb and or tfl. Possibly a glute issue to.
Jump on YouTube and check out stretches for the itb. Also rolling it out on a foam roller will work wonders.
Excuse my spelling...itb = illiotibial band tfl = tensor fascia latae

GillianLF

adam_g85 wrote: »

Runners knee comes from a tight itb and or tfl. Possibly a glute issue to.
Jump on YouTube and check out stretches for the itb. Also rolling it out on a foam roller will work wonders.
Excuse my spelling...itb = illiotibial band tfl = tensor fascia latae

Those foam rollers are super painful! But agreed totally effective. Been working on the quads but not the glutes so will include them. Some specified stretches beforehand would be great. Thanks. I have to admit I generally don't stretch before running, I warm up on foot. Will look some up though to try for this evening, thanks!

I can walk no problem. I could probably walk quicker than a run at this stage! Its only the impact of running and going down the stairs that gets the knee. Its no longer like being shot in the knee, its now just a twinge so I will be taking it handy. I feel the recovery so do not want to undo it.