I’m running the Long Beach Marathon in four weeks. My training had been going well until Thursday. While at work, I started feeling some mild pain in my inner right knee. I’ve had knee pain before, but this pain was new. It wasn’t too bad, and I was able to do a marathon pace 6.5 mile run that evening without a problem.
The next morning it hurt again so I iced. It got worse throughout the day as I went to school/work and ran some errands. In the evening, we went to the Angels and Yankees game. Walking up and down the steep stadium steps aggravated my knee. When I got home, it hurt to change out of my jeans. I figured if I couldn’t bend my knee without wincing in pain, I probably should postpone my 20 mile run the next day.
I iced my knee, took Advil and rested on Saturday. In the evening, I felt much better and prepared to run early the next morning.
I ran my long run this morning and felt great, well as good you can feel running 20 miles. I followed pretty much the same route I did when I ran my last pre-LA Marathon long run (to the beach and back). It was cool and cloudy through 90% of my run. I felt great and pushed the pace faster than my normal long runs. I was running pretty close to my intended marathon pace, probably too fast for a long run. Still, I felt comfortable. I think it might be a good indicator of what I’ll be able to do on race day if all goes well.
Hopefully the knee pain is past me.
Lotería Chicana 
Yay, taper time?!
I’m not doing this race this year (I’ll be back next year, though), but I know a lot of people who are running it. I’m still about 5 weeks from taper, which makes me kinnnnda sad, ha ha. Hope the knee pain is past you, as mine is kind of random.
If you still have knee problems, I recommend this knee strap: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=knee+strap&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&oe=utf8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11641389120886108297&os=reviews
You’d probably want to try it out before the race. But it made me feel better when I ran through knee problems earlier this year (well, that and less running). I currently have four of those straps and keep them in my gym bag, spandex drawer and car for last-minute aches and pains.
Hope you feel better soon!
Do you know what the knee pain is? Did you injure yourself or is it inflammation?
This was first marathon… I loved that course!
I hope your knee starts to feel better soon. I know it’s hard… but… rest it.
dang, 20 miles must feel good! I haven’t hit that number in a while (well, 19 is pretty close, but still!) Sounds like you are good and ready.
btw you were a sociology major at UCLA? I studied sociology and poli sci, I bet we shared many professors! The only names that come to mind are Linda Van Luven and….nope, that’s all i’ve got.
Lisa,
I think it’s just inflammation as I don’t recall injuring myself.
Marcela,
I did the LB half last year and really enjoyed it. I’m glad this course is much flatter than LA, my first full. My knee is feeling a little better. I got plenty of rest last week and iced a lot. I think it helped! Now that I’ve done my last long run, I think it’ll be fine come race day.
RR,
Yup, I did sociology and Chicano Studies. I don’t remember that prof. I think I took Soc. 101 with Prager who made old school sociology theorists seem interesting. My favorite class was Sociology of Mental Illness with Melvin Pollner. He was a great professor and the material was fascinating. I think he passed away a few years ago.
Sesa,
Thanks. I’v never heard of that strap. I gave my legs some rest last week and did a couple of short easy runs. My knee is feeling better now. Phew.
Julie,
The 20 mile run last week was my penultimate long run pre-taper. I did the last one today. I’m so excited for the taper. It comes at a good time too ’cause it’s getting hotter and these weeks at the start of the quarter are pretty busy.
Hi Cindylu! Came across your blog and happy to have found it! I hope to start training for my first marathon after I run my first half in oktober. I was hoping I could ask you which training program you use? Thanks!