I started my last long run in the barrel of an MRI machine and finished it 9.2 k later skipping up the steps of the local Morrisons where my lady was waiting.
I felt on form and on top of the world.
Somewhere between then and now my running world took a big knock. My wandering leg pain that had been focussed in my calf for the whole of November, shifted to the front of my knee and then I got the results of the MRI.
I called the Doc for the results and it seems I have a small horizontal tear of the medial meniscus with a little cyst. The recommendation from the Dr, who I’ve never met before was that I strap it and quit running.
I think it’s a pretty obvious response to tell me to quit. I’m not designed for running, I’ve been specially moulded for the couch, and at the best of times it’s hard to imagine that running could be beneficial for knees. 
I need to ignore her advice though, running has done wonders for my mental health, it’s brought me confidence and spirit and pride and for someone in a constant battle with the scales it’s the only thing that has enabled me to exert some control over my spiralling body mass.
I’m not sure what to do just yet. I’ll try and see a specialist but in the meantime I’m looking for options. Maybe a knee brace will help or perhaps I could try my next running commute with a pair if Nordic poles.
I feel this years London marathon slipping away from me before I even start and Janathon could be a litle shaky as well.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh noooooooooooo, hope you get it sorted. Don’t overdo it though, Shaun was on crutches for weeks because he was desperate to do the London Marathon.
Get a second opinion! In fact, get a third or fourth opinion until you know you’re talking to someone who knows what they’re talking about inside out and how much running means to you. If you’re taking some down time and haven’t read it already, Chris MacDougall’s “Born To Run” has a lot to say about finding the right help for injuries that supposedly make you ‘unsuited’ to running…. don’t give up!
Jules
Besides the obvious injury… try finding a biokinetisist who does muscle activation. I could not run further than 5km without sustaining some or other injury. I went to see a biokinetisist who discovered that certain major muscles were not “switching on” I went on to run a half marathon with no injury!!
Oh no! How very very rubbish! I hope you feel soon, but do take it easy – it may be heartbreaking if you can’t do it, but there will be other marathons. Get yourself well first. And to add to what Catherine said, I know nothing about a biokinetisist, but my osteo/physio did wonders for me when I started having some shin issues. Really helped.
Heal up soon and fingers crossed you’ll be marathon fit!
Really sorry to hear about your injury, you have been so excited about and determined to reach your marathon goal. I hope you get the right help soon.
I urge you to see a specialist. I had to see numerous doctors and specialists before being correctly diagnosed with a torn adductor and finally got some good advice.
I had to take a few months off and went through a period of intensive physio and although things aren’t perfect, it is much better.
Like other people have said, there are other marathons out there and pushing yourself through the pain barrier will probably do more damage than good.
I really hope you don’t have to quit running as your blog has been an inspiration for starting my new blog.
Neil
That is really frustrating news. But, to add to the comments, and speaking as someone who’s been told many times – no more sport, there are ways. Definitely get another opinion, try and find a doc who works with professional athletes. After that, have you tried clinical pilates? Not the regular 20-people-in-a-class-trying-to-breathe stuff but done by a physiotherapist trained in the clinical side. This is what repaired my list of injuries.
http://www.clinicalpilates.com/ – the aussie site but for sure you can find them in the UK too, i used the site to find people in Ireland.
This is bad news. I hope you find a second opinion from someone who knows about the need to run. In the meantime be very careful. Is it possible to cycle?
Best wishes.