Learn to Love Rest

So on Sunday I did my 8 mile long run. On the last mile or so I had some pain in my left knee. I knew this was no good because Olivia has struggled with an ITB fiction injury for some time. I know  it can keep you down. So I had the next day off and I talked to my friend Jerry who just completed an Ironman Triathlon (!). He’s also a physical therspist so he knows what he’s talking about…

He said yes, it was swollen and I needed to take it easy so it didn’t get worse. Ir’s an overuse injury so I needed to “underuse” it this week. He told me to cut my runs in half and stop if it begins to hurt again. He also said to take ibuprofen (anti-imflammatory) and showed me some stretches I could do.

I’m happy to report that I did six miles today and no knee pain! It definitely shows the absolute importance of rest and listening to your body. Training for a marathon (or any race, really) is a lot of stress on the body and we need to respect that process. According to Jerry, that’s one of the reasons we train so long…to give ourselves a chance to learn about what works and what doesn’t, to be able to rest and recover.

Thanks, Jerry!

5 Replies to “Learn to Love Rest”

  1. Ben odds are this will come and go from time to time. Another great option is using a foam roll and self massaging it in between running sessions. Go check out you tube itb foam rolling.
    Chris

  2. Ben,
    Chances apre this will come and go from time to time. Another great option is using a foam roll and self massaging it in between running sessions. Go check out you tube itb foam rolling.
    Chris

  3. Bromelain is great for this sort of thing. Any ibuprofen products will damage the stomach lining, no matter how careful you are. The bromelain will work at the tissue level, they use it in Europe all the time.. docs actually prescribe it.

  4. Sorry to hear about that! Hope you will be back to 100% in no time! What’s the count up to for World Vision sponsors? I think the last I saw it was at 7.

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