The Ultra-Adventures of a Painfully Normal Girl

I skipped 2 out of 3 runs last week. I was getting random pangs in my knee while sitting in certain positions and while lying in on my side. It was enough to cause me to pause. Since it doesn't hurt while running and walking, I am going to proceed with the running. I remain cautiously optimistic but increasingly more nervous...

The run this morning was still more of a tease than and actual run; I mean you can do just about anything for 60s. However, I am determined to take it slow. I felt no pain but was excited to see coyotes on the trail.

Around 3pm, I did have a brief period of achiness in my "recovering" knee. It passed, but I am icing it to be safe.

Distance: 3.95
Time: 56:29
Training: 5 min brisk walking warm up (a brisk 40 degrees that is)
              16 reps of 60sec run/ 90sec walk (miscalculated, should have been 8 reps)
               5 min walking cool down
Feeling: Optimistic

No pain!

Tomorrow is day 1 of running, and I am out of my mind excited. I only lost a little skin flipping off the mountain bike Saturday, so all systems are a go...

Last weekend, I hiked from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon down to Plateau Point and back. The hike was just under 12 miles and was about 3000 feet in elevation change. Starting down the trail in the brisk morning air, I was on top of the world (pun intended) and confident that, with my new orthotics, I would be literally feeling no pain.

About 2 miles later the all too familiar stabbing in outside of my left knee began. I began to stumble down the switchbacks of my mind. The same feelings of despair and frustration that I would never heal weighed me down. These orthotics were supposed to be my answer. I am supposed to start running again next week, but how?

And then it hit me. During the orthotic fitting, I was wearing my Montrails, which have a bit more stability control when the orthotics are combined with the shoe's posting. Unfortunately, they were now a half size too small with the orthotics, so I used my other, more minimally supportive trail shoes for the Grand Canyon  trip. I could only speculate this was the reason for my current onslaught of pain.

I continued to hobble down the trail using my trekking poles as make shift crutches and forcing my hiking mates to slow down. Like usual, the pain began to subside as the trail leveled out, and I felt perfect during the ascent. That night the pain viciously returned to my knee, so I iced it. And while I was sore all over the next morning, there was no more knee pain!

So now for the good sign. Yesterday morning, I went for a hike through Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve (which is beautiful). We took the Way Up Trail, which, true to its name, switch backed its way up in a very obvious way. The thought of descending made me cringe, but I was wearing the Montrails to test my previous theory.

Final report: there was not even a twinge in my knee. (However, I will need to get a larger size so as not to destroy my toes.)

Watch out trails, I am coming for you... in a very slow controlled fashion of course!

Previously, my plan of attack was to sign up for a particular ultra and then try to fit training into that, usually compressed, timeline. This method has brought nothing but injury and heartache, so this time around, I start slow and steady.

Running: (I have to credit the mastermind of this plan, my trail twin, who will be following it as well)
1. "Couch to 5k" training program (Day 1 is Tuesday, 16 Nov)
2. 1/2 marathon training plan
3. Build up mileage using the 10% rule. Every three to four weeks I will reduce the mileage so that I am not constantly increasing.
Once I am running about 40 miles per week, I will begin to look at races to enter, but not until then. From there, anything can happen!

Cross-training:
1. Mixture of yoga and pilates to strengthening my core and hips. These are the two areas that will continue to be vital to my progress due to my less than stellar biomechanics.
2. Swimming, rock climbing, and mountain biking
3. Short barefoot runs to strengthen my feet and stabilization muscles.

During this time, I will also be experimenting with pre-run, post-run and on the run diets. Mmmm, food...

So here I sit having adequately dissected the past year and planning for the next. It is definitely one of those cliche crossroads in my life. I have completed my first career and am contemplating the next one, but this is about my other journey.

This past year I imbibed the sweet nectar of the ultramarathon. Granted, I hobbled ingloriously across the finish line of the first annual Oriflamme 50k only to burst into tears over the relief if it being done. I was unwaveringly addicted.

Since that one and only ultra, I have been struggling with recurring knee injuries that stem from some not so pretty biomechanics. The physical therapist was horrified just by watching me walk, but this was not an unexpected reaction. I have known this for years and have run like this for years without issue.

Now I find myself with new orthotics, strengthening exercises, and day dreams about to run down the rabbit hole of ultrarunning.