I Knee-d Your Advice

Sometimes things happen that really make me question myself. I’m not sure if I’m getting older or just more stupid, but here's what happened today:

I love, love, love to read. And, not just Runners World and 50 Shades of Gray. I use the website Good Reads to log books I want to read and the books I’ve read, as I’m sure many of you do too (if you don’t, it’s a great way to keep track of what your friends are reading and current book reviews). I haven’t been on the site in forever, so today I went in to update some things. I’m currently reading The Weight of Silence, which is totally gripping. I went to enter the book title. Guess what I found out?

Back in 2009, I had posted a review of this book after I read it. YES! I’ve already read the book I am reading now and didn’t even know it. Something is wrong with me. I told my family and they just laughed at me. AT me, not WITH me. The sucky thing is, I was really into the book and now I don’t have a book to read because what kind of loser re-reads books when there are so many books to read?

Please tell me you have done this before.

Later, my confused self and I went for a run. I am jumping for joy because this heart rate training is really working. I ran 7 miles at 155 average heart rate and my pace is markedly faster than it was 2 weeks ago at the same heart rate. Mind you, I am still running like a slow m-effer, but it’s progress, and I love it when 7 miles feels effortless.

I do want to ask you about my knee, however. A few days ago, the inside of my left knee started aching a bit. It’s more annoying than anything, but I am so paranoid about injury, I tend to freak out with any ache or pain. If I have to drop out of running again due to injury I will make everyone around me miserable and hurt people.

I do think this knee thing is related to two things – my shoes (Brooks Pure Cadence – I love them, but they are worn out) and the increase in the number of days I run per week (I’m now doing five). I think my body is still adjusting.

Today I ditched my tired Brooks (look closely, you can see where the right shoe is torn. That happened right after I got them – my only complaint):

I slapped on these new Mizuno Wave Elixirs. As part of their Mezamashii Project, Mizuno sent me these shoes to try out. I’ve worn them a couple of times before. I think they’re pretty cool looking if you’re into purple zebras.

Yes, I always put my feet on the kitchen counter. If my kids do it, they lose their inheritance.

I have been trying to move to less of a shoe, and these have a pretty substantial heel and heel to toe drop, but I wore them anyway. My main goal is to strike mid-foot and I can still do that in these shoes. I like that this shoe is light and flexible and comfy, although they seem much bulkier than the Brooks. Yesterday I ordered some Saucony Kinvara 3s (got them on sale at Running Warehouse for $72 after using a 25%  online coupon). I’ve heard a ton of good things about that shoe, and I like that it has only a 4mm drop like the Brooks. I’m very anxious to give them a shot.

So – my knee ached a bit over the 7 miles. I’ve never had knee pain while running before, but I know it’s common. I’m icing it, but that’s about it.

Oh, and one last unrelated and random thing. You have got to go make this zucchini carrot bread I found on Fit Sugar (recipe HERE). It’s relatively healthy with whole wheat flour, flaxseed, and veggies. I cut back on the sugar by a 1/2 cup. It does have one whole cup of oil, which you could reduce and combine with applesauce. I happen to like oil and fat, so I used the full cup. This bread is very good for a “healthier” version of traditional zuke bread. Don’t get scared thinking those dark things are raisins or rabbit droppings. Of course not. They’re chocolate chips.

Any advice on knee pain? Have you experienced it before?

Have you ever run in the Saucony Kinvaras?

What are you reading now? I just finished Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man. It was haunting, intriguing and disturbing. My favorite books are memoirs and I’m kind of fascinated by addiction, so this was a slam dunk for me.

SUAR