more than a runner

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Yesterday I was suppose to run 14 miles, with Susan out of town I was too lazy to plan a route, so did my standard Thurman/Leif -> Maple -> Aspen loop with a little out an back to add a few extra miles. About an hour into the run the outside of left knee started to hurt, it did this the week before, but I figured it was because we were running longer than I had in 5 weeks, with 3 of those weeks without really running at all. It started to get so painful as I was running downhill on Wildwood to Aspen that I had to stop and walk a bit, and starting up again hurt so much that I didn't add on my extra few miles. I very rarely cut a run short. I was starting to get concerned, all sorts of (crazy) thoughts starting going though my head, what happens if I can't run? Would Susan still hang out with me? What if I could only run for an hour and not longer? What about the new house we just bought that backs up to Forest Park, that would be a big tease if I couldn't run. I told you crazy! I was feeling pretty depressed on my drive home. The outside of knee hasn't hurt any other time, so I really didn't know what was going on.

Once I got home I sent an email to the wellness center at work to make an appointment with a Sports Injury Doctor, one of the nice benefits of where I work. John walked in and asked how my run was, and whined about my knee. He asked if I had new shoes, and I said yes, but I didn't wear them because I didn't want to get them all muddy just yet (it was raining). He reminded me that every time I think my running days are behind me because my body is in pain, it is because my shoes are end of life.

new shoes are meant to be worn not kept in a box

This morning I ran 6 miles in my new shoes, I felt the outside of left knee some on the downhills, but that could be that it is still tender from yesterday. I am still going to see the doctor, and hope for the best with the new shoes. I know there is more to my life than running, and that Susan will still keep hanging out with me, but I am really looking forward to running a 50 miler next year.
Location: Wildwood Trail, Portland, OR 97210, USA

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