I Will Do Two Hour Half Marathon If It’s Cold and Knee Holds Up
In my last article, I wrote to you how I came closer and just missed finishing a half-marathon, 13.1 miles, in two hours at Virginia Beach, Labor Day weekend. It will be colder for my next two attempts, Haloween in Greenville, and Kiawah December 12. But will my knee hold up? That is the question.
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My right knee has been bothering me off and on for the last two years ever since I have been abusing it with race walking and running-jogging to prepare for one full and nine half marathons. My knee does not bother me too bad when I have been walking, but it has more so for running. I completed physical therapy in the summer of 2008 for my knees before preparing to tackle my whole marathon last December. I have started abusing the knee again with the running on the concrete and not doing my balancing exercises on Wii. (http://healthmad.com/fitness/how-wii-helped-with-my-walking-running-marathons/). (I have been putting too much weight, 60%, on my right knee.) I have been working on speed work during my taper period which has been since October 2 with the half-marathon in Greenville October 31. Today, I did my best for 4 miles, 34:44, more than a good enough pace to make 2 hours if I keep it up another 9.1 miles. However, the knee is starting to take its toll. I need to do things to rest up and be fully ready for Greenville next Saturday:
1. Walk the rest of the way in training- The speed work is good. Now, I have to save the knee to see if it will hold up in Greenville.
2. Work on my balance- In my walking and during the day, I need to work on balancing left and right to make them close to 50-50 on the weight.
3. Regularly do the knee strengthening exercises that I learned in physical therapy. They make the knee strong and feel better, especially the right knee.
I am so happy since it has finally started to feel like fall where I am. My lungs love the cool air and I have much more energy than I have during the hot, brutal six month summer. I know this has contributed to my strong time in my recent speed work, especially today and a 35:01time for a 4 miler last week. Greenville should be nice and cool since it is in the hills. I am hoping for a day where it is about 40 degrees; I can wear shorts the whole race then. Any temperature close to that will be fine.
I am getting excited about Greenville since it is next week. I just need to rest the knee and pray for cold. If not, I will be ready for Kiawah December 12. Happy training!
