So, that's what they mean by pain...

I learned something yesterday...exactly what people mean by "running hurts". I know the burn of lactic acid from rowing in college & weight lifting (although I suspect that is a different kind of burn). However, I had yet to fully feel the burn from running. Sure, my legs are tired when I'm done. Sure, they get sore. But, downright hurt...hadn't felt that up until yesterday.

I logged my longest training run to date at 12 miles. The first 6 were not a problem. Had a Cliff Power Shot at mile 5 followed by the world's fastest pee break (thank you Valero!). Mile 7 started the pain. Knee pain. Friendly, sharp, feels like someone stabbing me in the kneecap pain. However, this is common of my left knee and stops when I stop running. Mile 8 brought on the same pain in my right knee & prompted a "wow, pain, you're new..." thought to run through my head for the entire mile. Mile 9 was "pain...stop now...I need to finish". Mile 10 brought on the celebration, as my last attempt at this distance was a disaster. However, that was quickly followed by "I hate pain". The last 2 miles were pure agony. I actually feel into a nice reverie of "pain, pain go away, come again another day" & "I'm going to beat you pain...I will finish".

Needless to say, I did finish & in just under 1:30 (a nice pace for me, as a first time runner). Here I was, thinking I was done with the pain.

I promptly called Crazy Running Mom (CRM) & told her of my accomplishment & that I was in excrutiating pain. The nurse in me was screaming that I just destroyed all cartiledge in my knee & that's why it hurt so bad. CRM said to take Ibuprofen & a cold shower. I was already cold...that was not happening.

So, I took my warm shower & due to increased pain, ended it standing in freezing cold water that was directed at my legs. Ahh...relief.

I have felt the pain....now I say bring on the race!

Ouch, my knees.

Yesterday was rough. I did not want to wake up to go to the gym to run (since at 4 am, it's still to freaking hot). So, I told myself I would go after work. And, I did. Had to leave early from work to do it...too bad, right?! Nah, that was the nice part.



The bad part...1 mile in, my left knee started hurting...again. It did this the other day when I was running on the treadmill, but the nurse in me said to ignore it. (Because the nurse in me hates doctors...so she must ignore all minor, and sometimes major, issues). However, by the time I was done (3.75 miles later) I could hardly walk off the treadmill once I stopped it. Normal aches, right? Maybe...we shall see.



The run was boring enough, since I was at the gym, on a treadmill, staring at the gym sign on the other side of the wall to keep focus on something other than my hurting knee. I was able to complete my desired mileage without having too much trouble breathing. Thanks to my previous lightbulb moment. However, the burning leg sensation was somewhat new. It was pretty much constant the entire time. And, I have a feeling had I not been on a treadmill, that I would have stopped running.

After my run, I took a "runner's shower"...or just changed, whichever way you put it, and headed over to my friend's house for Mac's first play date with a dog about 10 times her size. Picture my small terrier mix running around with an Italian Mastiff. Kind of funny actually. Poor thing almost got stepped on numerous times. However, after the initial insecurity, she came around and started playing like she knew the dog forever. So cute.

However, back to work.