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The Flying Pig Marathon weekend rolled around once again, but things really got kicked up a notch this time. Last year I had hoped to run the 10k (my first), but knee pain set me back and I had to switch to (and struggle with) the 5k. Going into this year I resumed that goal and took more care in my training – ramping up my running more gradually from December onwards. I even managed to talk Mark and Justin into training to run their first 10k with me, too.

The 10k was tough. Not twice as hard as the 5ks I’m used to, but certainly harder. I had forgotten about the inclines that go along with crossing the bridges over the Ohio – not steep, but long and steady. It was also a notch warmer and more humid than the Pig’s usual. But hey, at least the rain held off! I finished just above my goal of an hour, and just over a 10 minute mile pace. I was happy with this (and especially with not finishing the race in pain), but it was a bit frustrating. But then I looked back at my 5k times over the past two years and realized this was a close second to my best pace, and at twice the distance. No complaints!

Of course all this paled in comparison to D’s goal to run her first full marathon – and with the hills of Cinci, a tough one at that. After our race us boys relaxed, enjoyed a few beers, and made a few signs to support D and her running mates the following morning.

Chasing around the marathon as a spectator proved to be a lot harder than planned. Getting across town with all the streets closures was tough, then we got confused and hung out on the half marathon route a while. When we finally caught up with them around mile 13 D’s knee was in full blown revolt and we sped off to get pills. We caught them again again a couple miles later, and it was clear they were going the distance. Getting to a spectator spot at around mile 20 was impossible, so we took up position near the finish. We had fun cheering on strangers for about an hour. At around 5 hours 30 the ladies came rolling in with a final spring in their step. Imagining that they had just run slightly over 4 of our 10Ks back to back to back, was mind boggling and awesome.

So I went. And it helped (my knee).

Back in late-March I started having some knee pain during runs. It’d usually kick in after about a mile and grow steadily worse. Afterward, it’d be really sore and cause me trouble climbing stairs for a day or two. I was pretty sure I knew what was up. I have had problems with “runner’s knee” back around college. Knowing it is an issue of overuse, I cut way back on my runs and kept a skeptical eye on being able to race in the Flying Pig which was approaching in six weeks. Things didn’t improve much and I switched down to the 5k at the Pig. I was still hurting after a mile and noticeable limping by the end. I decided it was time for pro help.

A sports doctor quickly confirmed there was no real damage, and that I was experiencing a very common type of runner’s knee (Iliotibial Band Syndrome). One thing I learned is that this sort of thing just can’t be improved with more running. Running is great exercise and builds stamina certain muscles, but for the most part you need need to get strength from other activities. He referred me to physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility. I spent the following five weeks not running at all, and attended therapy twice a week along with other exercises at home every day. Ankle weights had become my friends. Last week I officially finished PT, with a continuing regimen at home. I wasn’t very confident I’d improved much, but it was hard to tell until I hit the road. Last weekend was my first 5k since the Pig and all the conditioning.

The Redlegs 5k went surprisingly well. It was a hot, humid morning but luckily the rain had passed just before the start. As I approached the first mile marker, I expected the ache to appear, but it didn’t. At around two miles in, I did start feeling a bit of discomfort, so I choose to walk up the largest hill of the course (inclines are the most aggravating to the condition). Then at the crest I picked it back up and finished pretty strong. My cardio wasn’t great, partly die to the heat, but mostly since I haven’t had a regular running schedule, but my knee held up well with only a slight ache afterward. The reward for participating in the Reglegs race – a chance to come down to the Reds field and dugout, which was pretty cool.

I was really surprised how much better things went from the Pig just six weeks earlier. Even though I have work left to do, I managed to take a minute off my best time in the past 2 years.

The Flying Pig Marathon (and other races) is the biggest running weekend in Cinci. Last year I made my return to racing with the Pig’s 5k. It was slow and rough, but a success. This year I had planned to move up to the 10k, which would be a first, plus prepare me for a 12k a couple weeks following. But sometimes bodies like to challenge your plans.

As I increased my training distances past about 5 miles mid-March, I started feeling something distantly familiar. After another run, I was sure the Runner’s Knee I had back in college decided to return. Runner’s Knee is the common name for various types of trouble caused by the muscles around the knee cap. On the bright side, the condition itself isn’t a sign of damage, but just overuse. When it’s acute, it’s hard to walk, let alone run, but a day or two of rest brings things back to normal. With the onset of that, I had to cut my training back to nearly nothing the few weeks leading up to the pig. I got in some elliptical time and a couple 1 mile runs, but it wasn’t much.

The morning of the race was perfect – sunny and just a bit cool. It’s always a blast to run through the street of downtown Cinci, and with awesome weather it’s even better. I started at a good pace and felt great for about the first mile. Then the ache started to set in. As the ache turned more painful I stopped about every half mile to stretch and walk a little. That’d provide some brief relief then I’d get back to a decent jog. I’m not accustomed to stopping like that through a race. Even though I might slow, I usually refuse to drop to a walk, but that just wasn’t an option this time out.

In the last half mile the course is always lined with tons of people watching and cheering and it’s really exhilarating. Even for the 5k, the crowd gives you that nice sense of accomplishment. Feeding off the energy I finished strong, almost at top speed. Amazingly, even with the pauses during the last 2 miles, I still managed to beat last year’s time by nearly a minute! I think that speaks a lot for my improvement over the year, and I’m excited to see my times once I’m past my injury.