Metabo journal

Ran at the field house today and tried to take easy because there was some discomfort in my knees. Knees were ok during the run, but they began to revolt once I started to do squats (45 x 80 lbs). Did 50 each side leg lifts, 50 each front leg lifts, 50 crunches, 2 x 11 sec plank #2, 3 x 30 sec plank #1.

Ran outside today after work-tried to take it easy on the knees. I was feeling fatigued but I think it was due to having a pretty light lunch and I was tired in general. Knees are still sore from the downhill run on Saturday and the right knee seems to be slightly swollen. Observations about my knees- I can run on flat or uphill gradients without a problem, but not downhill. Squats or anything that causes a bend in the knees closer to 90 degrees tends to make them very sore. There seems to be a pulling sensation on the medial aspect of my right patella when bending my knee. I am seeing a doctor about it tomorrow and hopefully there is something I can do to get rid of this pain. I actually have a different gait when walking downstairs because I expect to feel a stabbing pain in the knee whenever I do. I hope not to get diagnosed again with a very general patellofemoral pain syndrome because I don't think the usual suspects (tracking problem, weak hips, VMO) are causing this pain. We'll see...

Ran outside around lower campus. Went to the orthopaedist today and he told me that my knee pain is not due to a patellar tracking problem. Instead my hips are rotated and my right leg is longer than the left. Also my right ankle is looser than the left, all contributing to right knee pain.

Ran this morning in the 4th Street Clinic 5K because I hope to volunteer at a clinic like this once I become a PA. The weather was overcast, but not raining, which made for a nice running temperature. We ran around the U of U campus starting at the Huntsman Center, so the last mile of the race was a lot of uphill. My average HR was 169 and my garmin read that we ran 2.89, but another runner's garmin read 3.03 so I'm not sure which is correct.

Some important things to note are that I ran with a patellar tendon strap on my right knee and I've been working on adjusting my hips (put my hips in place before and after the race) and strengthening my ankle for a few days now. During the initial downhill portion (which seemed as steep as City Creek) my knees were totally fine, I didn't feel any pain. I tried to keep my stride the same length as on a flat surface, but speed up my steps and lean a little forward. It seemed to work out well and will hopefully stay that way!!!