Better Outing

Still pretty warm today but felt better overall. That breeze out of the south helped again. My knees were okay, no issues, and I've been wearing my knee sleeve the past couple of days but didn't on the actual 5-miler. It was a long day of phone calls, and nice to get outdoors and feel some freedom for a bit.

Laziness

 No excuse for not running on Saturday other than laziness. Today I ran 5 miles, 85 degrees outside, and it went pretty well with a walk every mile. I wore the sleeve on my left knee and overall both knees felt okay. I feel like neither has been 100% over the past several days. Every so often I'll take a step and there's a bit of tenderness, or sometimes even a pop. That's a little alarming. I keep thinking I need to go to the running shop and see what other options there are but I just haven't done it yet. I also need to go do early voting but I haven't done that, either. So many things to do...

Not Mixing It Up

 I wore the sleeve on my left knee again and did not mix it up today. The temperature was way lower, in the 60s with a stiff breeze, so I ran the whole way at a pretty decent pace. The knees still felt good. I think wearing the sleeve during the day about four hours each knee is helping. The 5 miles today was consistent and felt strong.

Dealing With It

I have a knee sleeve that I bought either last year or earlier this one. It might be a compression sleeve if it was a size smaller, but overall it works pretty well without causing discomfort. I wore it yesterday for four hours on my left knee and another four on the right. Today I did the same. Then when I ran I moved it to the left and hoped it would help. It did.

The tenderness I felt on Saturday was nowhere around me today. I went 5 miles, with walks every mile because it was over 80 degrees, and it was a great run. I have to admit to being a little bit surprised. I think it helped me maintain a good stride, and I plan on doing the same routines over the next couple of days.

I might even wear it on the right knee for my next run just to mix it up a little.

LaFortune Run

 The Wife and I went to Tulsa for our anniversary weekend. I ate too much food, but at least I did get a little bit of a run in while we were there. Yesterday morning I ran around LaFortune Park, which I have not done in...I don't know. It's been awhile. I only went around once since my left knee was acting all tender again. That meant I ran 3.5 miles according to my GPS. I walked a couple of times and then finally got back in stride again by running faster. I need to look at my shoes and maybe order a new pair. Shoes have always been the issue when my knees get gimpy. I'm starting to wonder if the Asics I've worn for the past 15 years or so have evolved to where they no longer work for me. Perhaps a visit to the running store is in order.

That Same Twinge

 I was fine on today's run, walking every mile because it was 85 degrees, until after my walk at the third mile. I started down the slight slope and felt the left knee acting all tender again, like a moonstruck teenager. Okay, that was uncalled for. Nevertheless, I walked the last half-mile of the 5 miles. I might take a couple of days off. We'll see how it feels tomorrow and the day after.

I did notice that as I continued running my posture affected whether or not I could feel the twinge in my knee. As I went on I felt my shoulders hunching forward just a tiny bit, but when I pulled them back and ran more upright I couldn't feel any pain in my knees. I've noticed my bad posture when sitting at my desk all day, and obviously it's something I'll have to work on more as I'm running, too.

More Than a Feeling

 This was one of those mornings where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. I got up and dressed for a run, and then was sitting at my desk inventorying my aches. My hip hurt, right knee was tender, a little pain in the lower back, etc. I was all decked out and ready to go when I thought well, maybe I should skip it today. Let all these things that feel bad have a rest. And in that moment I figured I should at least get out the door and if something wasn't right then at least I could walk a few miles. Plus it was only 60 degrees and perfect for a run. 

Needless to say, it actually turned out great. I ran 6 miles and as I've done in the past I kicked up the pace a little to try and do something different. I ended up at a 9:30 pace for the whole run, which all things considered wasn't bad. Not super-fast - in fact I got passed multiple times - but it kept those aching parts on their toes. As it were. I'm glad I didn't listen to the complaints or the feeling that I should stay home. Then I cut down two bushes in the front yard before lunch. So much for feeling bad, but that sense of accomplishment helps.

A Little Twinge

I did 5 miles again today. The first couple I felt like I was struggling with my stride to make sure it was in line and using glutes for power. At the two-mile mark I walked for a minute to reboot. Everything was fine until I walked up the big hill toward the end  and started to run when it became level again. My left knee immediately barked at me and I stopped after just a couple of steps. I walked the last quarter-mile. I don't think it's bad, though. It felt fine during the walk and tomorrow is a rest day. We'll see how it goes Saturday.