Watch out for escalators... they are out to get you!

Training has been going well. Last weekend we ran 5 miles. It was really cold out... but I guess I would rather it be cold and windy than hot and humid. Normally I participate in the Tuesday morning buddy run , but this past Tuesday waking up at 5:15am was too much for my body to handle, so I missed the run and went out on my own after work. My run wasn't so bad, until my shin started bothering me. Damn you shin splints!

On Wednesday I went out and got a proper shin splint wrap for my leg since, until then, I had only been using an ace bandage. I also started icing and stretching my calves and shins more so I don't have to deal with shin pain on race day... which is only 22 days away!!!! Eeep!

Thursday came along with a hard core morning workout at the track with Coach Al. It was a combination of hill running and circuit training (crunches, push-ups, supermans, and squats). OI OI OI! Or more appropriately, OW OW OW! It was rough, not going to lie. But I was pretty pleased with myself that I didn't pass out in the middle of it. Also, my new shin splint wrap seemed to work really well.

So, then we come to the end of my workday on Thursday... As usual I rush down to the Bart to catch my train to get home in time for German croissants at the Thursdays Farmers Market. But, as I stepped down the escalator... POW! Sharp pain in my left knee! I think to myself... NOOOOO, sharp pain is bad! Sharp pain means injury! As expected, panic set in. I could feel the pain in my knee as I walked home from Bart and knew things couldn't be good. I spent all night icing my knee and taking anti-inflammatory pills hoping that it would all be cured by the time I woke up in the morning. No such luck. I woke up with more knee pain. I could feel the creaking in my knee as I tried to move it around. Again panic set in and I had a mild meltdown when my roommate asked me why I was driving to work and not walking. All I could think of was that I wouldn't be able to run in my race, or maybe never even run again and all my hard word would be wasted!

Thankfully my doctors office gives same-day appointments so I was able to see a doctor by 9:30 in the morning. AND I GOT GOOD NEWS!!! I didn't break my knee in a million pieces like I feared. The doctor said my tendons and ligaments were all in order. She said likely I hyper extended my knee on the escalator and the cartilage in my knee was inflamed. She gave me some strong anti-inflammatory pills and told me to stay off my knee for a few days, then slowly get back into things like stationary bikes and swimming for a week. This means 1 week of no running. With only 3 weeks until the race, it isn't the greatest news, but I am ready to take on the set-back and push on! She also said my hamstrings were super tight and I should work on massaging my IT band which I have now been doing both of those twice a day and I can already feel the difference.

I do not like scares like that, but man oh man am I glad it wasn't a serious injury. I was surprised as it is that my knees had held up so well with all the running I have been doing... then to injure them on an escalator? Just by stepping down it? That is so something I would do.