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My Knee Hurts, But, I Have A Race On Saturday

4/7/2015

6 Comments

 
My goal is that you are able to run efficiently for years to come. I would not choose to share this if I wanted you to remain injured and inefficient, or have you bouncing from challenge to challenge.
My goal for each and every athlete I have the pleasure of working with is that they are able to run efficiently for many years to come. Unfortunately in endurance sport 20-70% of athletes will undergo challenges every year. Racing when you are injured, or undergoing challenges, is in my opinion utterly stupid.
Here is a conversation that I have had countless times, and fortunately or unfortunately will continue to have:
Athlete: Do you think strapping my knee (insert any treatment / modality) has any benefit?
James: What is the challenge?
Athlete: ITB friction syndrome (this could be any physical challenge)
James: When did you become aware of the feedback loop (discomfort-pain)?
Athlete: Mid way through a road run on Tuesday. I had a day off on Wednesday, then did a hard session at the track and a spin class on Thursday. I have a race on Saturday. My hip is also not great.
James: You need to NOT race on Saturday. Strapping your knee is not going to solve the problem.
Athlete: I can't not race, I have already payed for my entry (insert justification here).
James: My goal for you, if you look after your body is that you will be running efficiently for many years to come. If you have a different goal, that is your decision. My advice is that you don't race on Saturday, and that we look to address the underlying challenge and allow you to develop greater efficiency moving forward.
For many of you, from the outside looking in this conversation will seem ridiculous, though it is alarming how often I have had this discussion with athletes.

Here is a conversation I am yet to have, and suspect I never will have:
James: How did your race go?
Athlete: I was unsure whether to run, my knee wasn't right going into the event. I strapped it up, and took some preventative pain killers. I'm so glad I raced, I ran with a massive smile on my face, had heaps of fun, and my knee is so much better than it was before the event.
6 Comments
Lynda Pope
10/7/2015 02:50:54 am

I found this quite an interesting read considering I am experiencing that same problem at present. About a month ago I started out on my usual early morning run and felt my knee start to tighten and didn't think too much about it but it became progressively worse until I couldn't run at all and had to phone my husband to come and get me. It was identified as ITB so I stopped running altogether and have been working on getting the problem right with a foam roller, massage and stretching. I tried to run again about a week ago but it started to tighten again after a short time so I stopped immediately. Its frustrating but I guess the good thing for me is I'm not training for anything at the moment so I've got time on my side. James is right, continuing to run with a problem just prolongs the healing process.

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James Kuegler link
10/7/2015 03:26:24 am

Unfortunately far to many people can resonate with this discussion. With respect to your ITB symptoms remember that you need all four ducks in a row (technique, joint mobility, muscle flexibility and strength). Look forward to catching up soon.

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Forsyth Thompson
10/7/2015 05:10:47 am

Such a difficult one this. I ran Taniwha injured and wish I'd skipped it, but at the same time raised over $1000 for SHINE and wouldn't swap that for some discomfort. Then I ran Tarawera quite seriously injured which has led to months of no running. But again, if I ask myself if I'd do the same again, the answer is unequivocally yes.
I think what I would change completely would be my training and build up to it and injury (non)management. Splitting hairs perhaps?

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James Kuegler
14/7/2015 01:23:05 am

The joints of the body are functional for millions of movements through their range of motion, and certainly enough to see someone to the end of their life. Unfortunately the joints are capable of millions of movements through an abnormal range of motion. The bi-product of abnormal biomechanics is dysfunction and destruction of those structures.
So, whilst I understand the self-transcendence of coping with the pain, my goal in this article, and my interaction with people is long term efficiency, so that they can still be running long into the future.

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PatriciaHP
13/9/2015 09:29:24 pm

Thx for reminder James 😉

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Sonia
2/3/2016 09:10:15 pm

So glad we had this conversation just after Kepler and my knee issues again which made me not run Tarawera. After treatment and rest I am back to enjoying my running and looking forward to the next event with renewed enthusiasm.

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