I had a race to run yesterday. The Jack Frost 10K. 

I registered for the small, local run one month ago.

I was excited to cross “run one race” off my Fall Bucket List. 

I was excited about my short ‘n’ sweet training schedule.

I was excited about crossing the finish line.

The problem: I think I was a little too excited.

Not even a full two weeks into my training,

I encountered unfamiliar pain in my right knee.

A simultaneous head cold and joint discomfort lead me to believe I was experiencing a case of overtraining.

The following week, I scaled back on my training and had daily dates with the ice pack as I found my holiday spirit in the Christmas classics on TV. 

…but, apparently, that wasn’t enough.

I picked up my race bib Saturday morning.

I knew then, however, I wouldn’t be running the next morning.

I could have masked the inflammation with Ibuprofen, smothered my knee in an Ace bandage, and let the endorphins take care of the rest… 

but why!?

As hard as it is for me to not follow through with something, especially a goal I had set (and paid for),

the price I would have paid would not have been worth it after those short 6.2 miles were said and done. 

I chose to R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) than to race. 

I didn’t want to chance doing more damage to what has already been done.

I want to run twenty six point two someday. I do not want to be a young woman with worn down knees. 

And you know what… a leisurely breakfast with a girlfriend is much better than running a race in the cold, cold rain anyway.

Lemon blueberry cornmeal pancakes for the win.   

This isn’t an official diagnosis, but of high likeliness. Inflammation is evident through my very “squeaky” knee cap and most of the pain lies inside (anterior) my knee. 

Despite my “this is the end of the world” attitude regarding my minor injury, life does go on and can be somewhat enjoyable at that. I am considering taking a true break from the box until my knee is 100% (positive thinking!), but that didn’t mean the CrossFit Christmas Party was out of the question.  

The price I paid for my ugly Christmas sweater was certainly redeemed as I took home a prize ($25 Lulu gift card — yippee!!) for the cookie contest. Peanut butter and dark chocolate never fail.

From my cozy couch to yours, 

Hill on the run

 

Give me hope…

How did you get through an injury — mentally and physically?

Have you had success with kinesiotaping? 

Favorite holiday cookie?