I'm dealing with some knee problems currently and it's bumming me out a bit. "Runners Knee" specifically. Knee cap pain kind of on and under toward the middle and top. I can technically run through it but that's not wise. I felt it 2 weeks ago after a long run, but it slowly got better during the next training week. Then I did another long run(22m) and felt it again. I ran on it the next day since it was a peak back to back long run I felt I needed to get in. Don't think that made it worse. Haven't ran all week trying to rehab it. Although I haven't done much to rehab(strengthen anything) other than ice the knee, a good diet, yoga and stretches. I did the elliptical last night for 30 mins and I don't think it made anything worse. It's peak training for me so that's a bummer. Going to try the stationary bike and maybe easy stair-master tomorrow. No matter how my knee feels in a month, I'm running my 50k no matter what. Maybe I can maintain some fitness until then.
I feel your pain. During my 50 mile I started getting runners knee around mile 35. I took it easy and it eventually went away before mile 40. Right before my training block started my knee would flair up around 14 miles into a long run. What worked for me was to just take it easy. Basically followed an 80/20 or 90/10 rule. Mainly, my training weeks were 80% or 90% easy running the legs and 20% or 10% moderate - hard running. I think that really helped me out long term. Still got the miles in too. Above all else, go by how you feel. You're going to kill your 50k!
Appreciate the support. I do tend to operate at 80/20 and sometimes 90-100% easy on some weeks. I feel the last 2 training weeks, while scheduled to have some harder workouts based on my training plan, I pushed too much. Maybe. Especially my long run 2 weeks ago. Although I felt good fitness wise, it still may have been too much.(?). That's probably not a direct cause, but just a quick thought looking back. I'm sure it's a little bit of a few things added together. I'll be fine. And still the thing of needing to do strength drills and some weights at a more consistent rate. Theres always going to be some bumps in the road in our sport for sure.
I know I’m petrified of snakes in the woods around me, but that’s something else. At least the snakes don’t hunt you. After taking 2 weeks off of running from some “Runners knee” issues everything seems to be ok now. In those 2 weeks I swam 3 times a week and did elliptical a couple times a week. Stretched, yoga, foam role, a lot of turmeric/ginger/meadowsweet tea. Ran Sunday and yesterday easy with no issues. Runing longer(8) today and then a 15-18 run on Saturday. Maybe something short on Friday or Sunday. Keeping everything easy and maybe just 4 days a week until my race on the 23rd. Don’t want any issues popping up, but don’t want to regress my fitness. Sucks I missed out on some longer back to back weekend long runs in a critical training block, but it’s whatever.