Knee Pain - Race is Tomorrow

jeshhh
jeshhh Posts: 44 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Good morning!

I woke up today with pain in the outside of my right knee. I finished C25K a week or so ago and continued running every other day – my last training run was yesterday morning, and my first race (3.5 miles) is tomorrow evening.

I've been training for this race for over 10 weeks; I'm running it regardless since it's a pretty short race, even if I have to take some time off afterwards. I plan to ice the knee and massage the IT band area with a smooth foam roller when I get home from work tonight, plus take ibuprofen before the race if it still hurts. Is there anything else I can or should do?

Thanks!

Replies

  • jeshhh
    jeshhh Posts: 44 Member
    Bump... I could really use some advice.
  • lagringaloca1
    lagringaloca1 Posts: 22 Member
    If you've torn your meniscus the only thing that is going to help is to give it time to rest and heal. Without knowing the cause of your pain it is hard for anyone to give you safe advice.
  • Hexahedra
    Hexahedra Posts: 894 Member
    I wouldn't do it if I were you, because my knee is more valuable than some race. However, since you're dead set in doing it, at least wear a brace for your knee.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    If you've torn your meniscus the only thing that is going to help is to give it time to rest and heal. Without knowing the cause of your pain it is hard for anyone to give you safe advice.

    This is not what you want to hear but is sound advice.

    You've trained hard and probably have a significant emotional investment in finishing this race.

    If you do decide to run in it pay attention to how your body feels and if need be, walk. I ended up walking the last 7km of my first half-marathon a few years ago due to an IT band problem - it was painful and disappointing but DNF was not an option - and it also resulted in 6 weeks of not running afterward (stubbornness has its price)
  • jeshhh
    jeshhh Posts: 44 Member
    Thank you. It's actually feeling better as the day goes on, which gives me some hope. I know I didn't do anything super bad to it, I've had tears and sprains before and it doesn't feel anything like that... just a little "off," I guess.

    I'm going to pick up a brace tonight for the just-in-case scenario and take the race super slow if I have to. I'm not trying to get a great time, just finish, so I'll definitely be listening to my body.

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