My knee pain first presented itself during the Mobile First Light Marathon. (Read about that here.) I trained longer and harder for this marathon than I had for my first two, adding an extra day a week of running and a second 20 mile long run. I just knew that my training would result in the marathon PR that I longed for so badly. Surprisingly I experienced no pain during my training. Sure I had an occasional case of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), but it was nothing that a day of rest, Epsom salts, and an anti-inflammatory couldn't cure. Needless to say the pain was so excruciating during the second half of the race that I resorted to walking, and I didn't get that PR.
I've always followed Hal Higdon's "no racing for 26 days after the marathon" policy in the past. I used his marathon recovery plans to reverse taper or ease back into the mileage after my first two marathons. I took a week off after Mobile First Light Marathon to rest and recover. Then, I ran some shorter runs of 3-4 miles pain free. Against my better judgment, I attempted a half marathon just three weeks after the full. My knee pain returned at mile 5 of the Big Beach Half Marathon. I walked the majority of that race and clocked my second slowest half ever. (Read about that here.)
When I crossed the finish line of the Big Beach Half marathon, I feared that something was seriously wrong with my knee. I had three other half marathons coming up in February and March, and I hoped that my knee pain wouldn't keep me from running them. I pushed through the pain and continued training for the upcoming half marathons. I only managed four three mile runs before my knee injury stopped me dead in my tracks. I couldn't walk without limping much less run. The pain was unbearable. I knew it was time to get my knee checked out.
Fortunately, Michael works with the best orthopedic specialists in the area. He was able to get me an appointment within a week. The doctor examined my knee and immediately suspected that I had a torn meniscus. He scheduled an MRI that same day. The MRI confirmed that I had a longitudinal tear in my medial meniscus.
I had a knee arthroscopy on February 22,2017 to repair the torn meniscus. When the doctor went in to operate, he found that the tear was on the underside of my medial meniscus not a surface tear. Since it shouldn't cause any complications he left my meniscus intact.
However, the doctor did discover a soft spot on the cartilage surrounding my tibial plateau. He performed a chondroplasty, stimulating the area around the soft spot and injected me with PRP (platelet rich plasma) which will help with recovery. It's a good thing that I had the procedure done when I did because too much more wear on that soft spot could have cause full blown arthritis.
My cartilage damage was caused by overuse from logging so much mileage. The doctor told me that I could attempt some shorter races by late Spring, but he advised me to take a break from the longer distances especially the marathon. Cartilage damage is like wear on a set of tires, once the tread is gone it's time for another set. I don't want a knee replacement before age 40. Although I don't like the thought of never running another marathon. I have unfinished business with that distance.
The doctor also advised me to cross train, which is something that I've never done consistently. I did a few weeks of PT and rode on my bike trainer as part of my recovery. Once my incisions healed, I tried lap swimming. Swimming was my first love. I swam competitively for several summers when I was younger. After a few days of swimming on my own, I attended a Master's Swimming practice. The group was so welcoming and I liked the organized workout. I joined the team after three practices and I've stuck with it. If there is a silver lining in all of this, it's that I rediscovered my love for swimming. I've met so many great people through my master's team, and they make me feel accountable for attending practice. I haven't been consistent with my running since my injury, but I've found a cross training program that works for me.
