Cursed Realm of the Faceless Ghost

April 19, 2024

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Location:

Provo,UT,

Member Since:

Apr 07, 2010

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

5K - 17:11 (Cougar Run)

10K - 34:35 (Deseret News)

15K - 57:33 (Utah Running Club)

1/2 - 1:22:26 (Mountain View Trail)

50K - 4:22:31 (Sapper Joe)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Sub-2:45 at Saint George Marathon

Win the Antelope Island half marathon

Long-Term Running Goals:

I'd like to run the Angeles Crest 100 at some point. And I'd still like to go sub-4 at a trail 50k. Other than that, I'm open to suggestions.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/4808912

Personal:

I was a competitive cyclist for years. In 2009, after racing in the Tour of Utah, I decided I had plateaued as a cyclist--I could continue to improve, but I wouldn't break through to a new level. So, I started looking for a new challenge.

I thought that challenge would be mountain biking, but I'm a terrible bike handler. I married Catherine in January 2010 and a couple of weeks later I entered the SLTC Winter Training Series with her. A couple of weeks after that I decided I'd like to run ultras, so I signed up for a couple of 50Ks to get started.

Those first races came and went, with varying results. I was looking forward to running more and possibly pushing into the longer distances, but I injured my knee in June 2010 and I've never been consistently healthy since.

I started law school in August 2010, which meant less time for training. In June 2011, Baby Elliott was born, which meant even less time for training. But she's worth it.

Baby Nora joined us in October 2013, with the same effect on training as Elliott (who, incidentally, is no longer a baby).

I (finally) finished school in April 2014 and now I'm an evil corporate lawyer in Salt Lake. I have no illusions that I'll ever get back into the shape that I once was, but I'm perfectly at peace with that. I still have many goals to accomplish and many years in which to do it.

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00

Mon, Apr 04, 2011

Total Distance

5.30

Before the Buffalo Run, I was worried about the soreness in the IT band on the outside of my right knee. But since the race the pain has been on the inside of my right knee. I took almost an entire week away from running after the race, and then I went for two long runs (by my current standards) on the trail. I felt okay during the runs, with a few twinges, but now my knee hurts again.

And I don't know what to make of it this time. I usually feel fine when I'm just walking around. But when I sit, my knee tightens up and hurts when I move it or stand up. But once I'm up and moving again, I don't really notice it. It makes me wonder if what I've got is some sort of a sprain, and I'll be fine running as long as I stay off the trail for a while. Or maybe I have something just waiting to explode. When the semester is over, I hope to get into see a doctor. In the meantime, I hope I can keep moving forward in my Squaw 50 prep.

What bugs me most is that I've now had four knee injuries in less than a year. And although all four have been on the same knee, there have been three different types of injuries: the runner's knee (behind the kneecap), the ITBS (twice), and now this new one on the inside. I hate to think that my knees just can't handle running, but you have to wonder.

Anyways, I'm seeing a doctor on Friday. But for now, it's infuriating, really.

As for my workout: I spent about thirty minutes at the gym this morning, pumping my guns and strengthening my IT band. In teh evening I went back for an hour while I watched the first half of the NCAA championship. 45 minutes on the stairstepper, followed by 15 on the treadmill, I figure I can get more out of limited mileage if I soften my legs up first, Fritz-style.

Brooks Launch Miles: 5.30

Weight: 169.00

Comments

From Aaron Kennard on Tue, Apr 05, 2011 at 12:48:00 from 98.245.117.176

For about 8 years I had relegated myself to the thought that my knees and body just weren't made to run long distances because I was chronically plagued with IT problems and knee pain in both knees and couldn't run farther 5 or 6 miles ever, on a good day, with tons of consistency. Since radically adjusting my running form and being able now to run marathons etc...I have also radically adjusted my opinion of what my body was made to do. I don't know what that may mean for you...but I share that just to perhaps give you some idea of other things to try. Different shoes and different running form were the factor for me in freeing me from knee injury in general. May not be the same for you but I can definitely say I feel your frustration. I had all but given up on ever running long distances fall of 2009.

From Lily on Tue, Apr 05, 2011 at 14:39:38 from 67.199.178.210

I agree with Aaron. Your form and getting the right shoes for you is a HUGE factor. Try running while sticking your chin out about an inch or two in front of you. I know it feels dumb but that helps self correct your form.

BTW- morning of the buffalo run, I had to wake at 5:15 and I was sooooo tired. I saw what you wrote on your race report haha! ;)

From Faceless Ghost on Wed, Apr 06, 2011 at 00:37:48 from 98.202.112.51

Aaron -- that makes sense. Jun and I were actually talking about that on Friday. he pointed out that I have nothing to lose by trying to change my gait. Worst case scenario, I wind up with a new stride and a knee that still hurts.

Lily -- Good for you for volunteering. I don't get up that early on a weekend if I'm not racing :)

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