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To Doc Fit or Not

Should I run or not?  I’m registered for Doc Fit 10k tomorrow and I’m still undecided about showing up.

Let’s see.  Since January, I’ve sought the advice of two of the more popular ortho surgeons, two acupuncturists, and a great PT.  All have advised me to CONTINUE RUNNING, with a matching reassuring look whenever I ask “Are you sure?”  Yes, they’ve said the Runner’s Knee/ITBS problem is a muscle imbalance that will disappear with stretching and strengthening.  In the meantime, they advise me to continuing training especially, as my PT advises, if I want to run well for Condura Half.  (Talk about pressure!)

Then, there is Runner’s World.  If you browse through the articles and forums (which is, uhm, a daily habit for me), almost everyone will tell you to REST if you want to fully recover from ITBS.  I also have a well-informed and super helpful runner friend, Alvin, who is not just a marathoner, but one who did it after recovering from ITBS.  He knows his stuff and he’s been telling me to REST, REST, REST.  He said that over and over even when he caught me running at Bonifacio High Street last Thursday.  (He knew I was on a secret two-week hiatus from running, which I failed because I gave up on the 9th day!)

What to do?!  Why the conflicting tips?!  Times like this, all I can believe in is Dean Karnazes.  He was right in saying: “Listen to everyone.  Follow no one.”

At the end of the day, a runner can only listen to one’s body and decide from there.  So, I shall remain silent for the rest of the day, patiently waiting for my tight thighs and misaligned kneecap to tell me if they want to join Doc Fit tomorrow.  They better decide soon because there are only a few hours left in the day.

See you if I see you!

Posted on 02.28.09 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 11 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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11 Responses to “To Doc Fit or Not”

  1. I have always listened to my body. My only fault is I often negotiate and make compromises with it. Instead of resting, I bargained for lower mileage, slower pace, race cut-back, and cycling in the guise of cross-training. I cross-trained, strength-trained, did stretches, got massages, consulted a doctor, had a PT session, and changed shoes. The doctor said all I had was muscle pain so I continued with the compromise. Until one day even walking became excruciatingly hard. So stubborn me finally gave in. I have been resting for six days now, and I intend not to run nor bike until every little pain is gone. I hope my legs will be happy now. Happy enough to run on the Skyway.

    ricov said on Feb 28 09 at 8:46 PM Reply

  2. Pray and discern. Romans VIII:28

    kinderdorf said on Feb 28 09 at 8:50 PM Reply

  3. it’s so hard to NOT be able to run for a week. i won’t be able to compete for botak’s paa-bilisan 10k tomorrow as well. hehehe hopefully i’ll be ready by march 15 then the half. get well soon!!

    chuabol said on Feb 28 09 at 9:29 PM Reply

  4. my 2 cents: for long term recovery:rest.for short term recovery: train light.i know its easier said than done.i’m injured now,have’nt run in 6 weeks.having sleepless nights w/o my running.but i’ll be back and promise myself to beat boss patrick c. next time! hehehe.goodluck!

    eric cu said on Mar 01 09 at 11:39 AM Reply

  5. don’t run! but what you should continue is jogging :D if there’s still constant pain, even when you’re not doing anything, or just walking… then rest it for now. but if the pain is gone, that means the inflammation is less and the affected area is already beginning to heal. during this time, you can already begin doing some strengthening exercises… and maybe do a little bit of jogging. this will allow the area to heal itself according to the activity that you’re training for. But since the area isn’t completely healed yet, you shouldn’t overexert yourself. you should stop yourself once you feel any discomfort :D hope this helps…

    joe said on Mar 01 09 at 2:11 PM Reply

  6. Hi TBR. Like you, I’m in pain. I don’t want to say I’m injured because I’ll only feel worse. I have plantar fasciitis; its been 2 years, even more. It comes and goes. Like you, I stop running as the doctor/ or others advise; but heck I still run after awhile. I run thru the pain. I try to lay off but it drives me nuts; I feel more injured that way. So, I avoid nil running and instead do slower if not shorter runs. I feel better that way: I feel whole. Of course in the end, you’ll know what’s best for you:-) You’ll feel happier! So did you run?:-)

    Ronnie Celestial said on Mar 01 09 at 9:53 PM Reply

  7. When a runner cannot run she is devastated.
    Depression, anxiety, frustration and all negative thoughts sets in. It changes your character. A character that you do not to like to see in the mirror.
    Your immortality has become mortalized. You become just one of the billion people in the world. You have lost your uniqueness that separates you from the others.
    But do not worry, because Like everything else in life that “Hump” on the road will pass. You will eventually run again. And this time you will be hungrier than ever. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
    Take care

    runningshield said on Mar 02 09 at 10:14 AM Reply

  8. how was it jaymie? were you able to run at docfit yesterday? i really wish you will be well soon. i know you will… good luck, ingat, regards and see you soon! ;)

    kulitrunner said on Mar 02 09 at 11:09 AM Reply

  9. hi. i think i told you i have the same problem as you but i really wanted to run docfit (and i did). my magic pill -antiinflammatory pill – helped a lot so i felt only slight pain during the run, but it started to hurt again afterwards. anyway, im contemplating really resting it (because my friends and literature says thats the best and ultimate cure for it) but the condura run is just around the corner so complete rest is unlikely to happen. good luck with your knee.

    rob said on Mar 02 09 at 1:51 PM Reply

  10. so did you or didn’t you do Doc Fit?

    Runningfatboy said on Mar 03 09 at 5:52 PM Reply

  11. Hang in there jaymie.

    You have done everything possible except total rest for your knees.
    It’s the only thing left to do.
    Just keep focused on the fact that the longer you rest, the sooner you can get back to running pain free again.
    What’s the point of doing awful quality short runs with pain every now and then and getting more depressed afterwards when your knee is killing you?
    Bite the bullet and rest.
    REMEMBER, getting over an injury like yours is not like a sprint race but, pun intended, more like a marathon. And we runners LOVE the marathon!

    Alvin said on Mar 04 09 at 10:44 AM Reply

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