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Ran the Chicago Perfect "10" on Nov 10,2012

guest — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:56:12 GMT

Needless to say, it has been a journey for me getting back to running after my knee surgery. That said, I wanted to post that I went, ran and finished the Perfect 10 at Chicago's Navy Pier on Sat, Nov 10th. Preparation for this, my last race for the year, I think, started a week before. My last run was two days before race day. Carb dinners,w protein, started two days before and hydration started three days out. I knew I wouldn't sleep good the night before, so resting up also started three days out. All strength training ended 5-6 out, with some cross trng. The plan was to finish without being exhausted. I was determined not to start too fast and to chop the race into sections. I wasn't sure of this plan when i was being passed by so many runners. It worked, each sections of the race i ran in slow,medium and a faster/steady pace. I passed many of the runners that had blew past me. I was not exhausted at the finish and actually had energy left for the rest of the day. I'm sorry but I don't believe that running is an easy sport. In fact it takes planning, preparation and strategy. This was only the 2nd season for this race, but i will make it to the next one for sure. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of running the lake front at Navy Pier, the crowd(tons of runners) was awsome, and the course. Did anyone else run this race and what did you think?

Re: Run for the Athletes 5k Reviews

guest — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 21:27:22 GMT

Wonderful race. Great location, running through the farm trail was the best for the scenery and the energy. Leveled, fast course. Everything was well organized and my favorite had to be the refreshments offered and the metal given, after the race. Of all the races i have done i never received, the ultimate recovery drink, "coconut water". Had the best time. Looking forward to next year.

Calling all Penguins (slow runners)

guest — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 02:06:19 GMT

check out this website, http://running.about.com/od/racetraining/a/10Kbeginner.htm . You may also benefit from some strength training or circuit training.

Ran a 5k, Training to increase speed...suggestions?

guest — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:58:32 GMT

Let me start by saying that the advise posted by Raf66, about u wanting more speed, was right on the money. He even touched on some issues i was having. Thanks Raf66.

I finally got around to visiting the site after some time away. I wanted to respond to your post because we are so much alike. After years of strength training being my primary focus i fell back in love with the idea of being "a runner" again. Last year I felt something "tweek" in my knee weeks before my first 5k, but continued to train through the pain, bad idea. Looking back if I would've taken some time off to recover I never would have torn my Meniscus and strained my MCL on race day. That race and my stubborn brain knocked me out of running. After I had surgery i was out for almost a year. Now I listen to my body. I only where shoes that are right for me( overpronator w/ stability, Asics, NB and Saucony). I changed my form more toward a midfoot striker and shorter gait. I take it slow when i don't feel energized, I take an extra day off to rest when i feel i need it and cross training is a must, to build a strong core, upper body and leg muscles. Biking actually strengthen the ligaments in your legs. I've only done 3, 5k's and presently training for a 10k, Aug 4th. Mostly I just run. Don't get so rapped up into the speed thing, run and it will come. If you are dedicated to running ur gonna b doing it for a while so be patient. Unless ur jsut going through a phase. If u push things ur gonna burn out and lose interest in running. Saturday I pushed my long run to 5.5 mls. a few days later i barely finished my scheduled 2.5mi. I knew it was not a good day and took it easy(which the training called for). I suggest throwing in some Yoga and Meditation to get more in tune with your mind and body. No joke, when u learn to listen to your body, and get your head out of the way, it can make a big difference in your training. Good luck, keep running and "Run for Health".

48 year old

guest — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 15:25:21 GMT

Thanks for the post. I enjoyed reading the replies to your post. It gives me inspiration to keep training and moving forward. I'm 52 years old. I ran a little in college then fell into the strength training craze the majority of my life. I was able to keep myself in decent shape but always loved the thought of being a runner. After retiring from the police force last year I trained and ran in my first 5k(since college) in May'11, Running with the Wolves, in Chicago's western suburbs. Unfortunately I tore my Meniscus and had to have surgery July'11. I vowed to recover and never give up on my dream of becoming a runner. In May'12, I once again ran that race and finished, injury free, at 36:00mins. The sence of accomplishment was addictive. Training and finishing that first race, now I'm hooked. Since then I've ran another 5k and currently following a training plan to run in a 10k in August( the Chicago Bank of America 10k). My time is slower than i would like but I feel my base improving, the distance is getting longer and I'm recovering faster. Its this great feeling of competing against yourself and your body responding to the training, i can't explain. To read about other men in my age group blasting out the miles at those times is truely motivational. The only advise i can dare add is to sign up and train for a race, then another. It's the great motivator to train. I love this feeling. Thanks. Be careful, train smart and Cross train to help keep you injury free. TRAIN TO BE INJURY FREE! I love Asics and New Balance!

After recovering from Meniscus surgery, I am back running.

guest — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:37:11 GMT

I haven't posted anything new lately. Its been a long haul recovering from last years 5k that put me under the knife. I was sure that the pain would never go away after my Meniscus arthroscopic surgery that I was starting to believe my desire to run would never come to true. I'm here to tell all of you that at 45 years old I am back on the road and signed up for my next 5k. This Saturday( Dash for Dads for Prostate cancer, in Joliet,IL). If anyone has to have this type of surgery please understand that if you want to make a strong recovery its all about good quality rehab, and putting the time into your rehab on your own time. Balancing exercises and strength training really helped me. I got better by mixing running with walking, slowly i was able to run more and walk less. As i get older and hopefully more wise, i believe that you have to listen to your body, if it tells you that it's feeling beat up, take an extra day off. After a long run my body needs two days of no running before I'm ready to go again. Check out all the helpful videos on YouTube about proper running technique. I got better by working away from heel strikes and more toward landing on my forefoot. I also found a great video about shortening my running gate. Now i have a shorter foot strike which i intent to make into a faster turnover over time. One last thing, slowing down your run, training in the proper heart rate zone(using a heart rate monitor), works wonders for building a strong base. Search for that also on youtube. Good Luck to all and train smart. I'm off to hit the spin bike.

Clicking noise on top of knee after knee Meniscus surgery

guest — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:38:46 GMT

In July i had partial knee meniscectomy(removal) surgery. I have followed the protocal toward recovery and my hopeful return to running. However i have been left with one last nagging symptom. I'm still experiencing slight discomfort in the medial(inside) part of my knee, the area of the surgery, but that has not interferred with my training and excercising program. The problem i'm currently having is a constant clicking and popping on the top of the knee, just above the knee cap. It is'nt painful, more irritating, and leaves me concerned. It started last week while i was cross training with some backward and forward, assisted lunges, that night the clicking was there. I have been working on strengthening the thigh muscles but there is no change. Has anyone experienced this problem before and will it get better? I have been working hard on making sure the knee is tracking good and have been doing knee tracking exercises. Thanks

Very informative knee injury/rehab site u gotta check out!

guest — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 01:38:19 GMT

If you injured your knee, like I have, and on the road to recovery, like I am, and/or don't want a dreaded knee injury, ur always in search of that website that'll help in the moderate/advanced stages of your recovery you didn't get from those basic p/t sessions u went through, then please visit this site. Most of u have probably heard of it, "bulletproof knees". I don't know if it'll help anyone. I found it very helpful. It helped the popping/clicking in my knee I had meniscus surgery on. I hope it helps someone. http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance_repair/18_tips_for_bulletproof_knees

Question about recent partial Meniscectomy to medial right knee

guest — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:05:55 GMT

Hi all, i dont know if anyone has been following my recent thread, that i recently had surgery to remove the frayed, unrepairable,medial part of my right knee. I'll hoping that someone else has had a similar surgery and can gve me some timeline on recovery and what to expect in the future.

Here's a break down of my stats: have been active all my life. Injured knee running a 5k in April '11, Mri determined that i had a torn medial meniscus. Had arthoscopic surgery 4 wks ago, partial meniscectomy, where the damaged part was removed.Doc said,"no problem u'll be able to run again". I was on cruches for 3wks( not one wk most people say), currently still finding it difficult to walk, up and down stairs is a challenge. I am doing PT 2x's per week working on quad and hip strength and flexibility. I am riding my spin bike everyday, except PT days where i ride there. PT says to ride bike everyday. I have not had much pain or discomfort in the meniscus area(some), but more soreness in the quad.

I would like to know how long it took for someone is good shape to return to running? Please don't believe all the hype that says, if ur in gd shape u will b back running in 6 wks. My ortho doc told me i will recover from the surgery in about 6-8wks. I don't think so. P/T says my swelling alone can take up to 6mnths to completly gone. I'll b lucky to b back running in 4mnths. Feels gd on the bike anyway. Thanks

Re: Meniscus surgery went well, "I hope". On the road to recovery

guest — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 01:18:40 GMT

Its my pleasure to share my experience w u. I hope it helps u. When i was in college it was all about strength training and how much weight u could lift. I would always see guys staining w heavy bench presses just trying to get that first rep in. I learned through education how to lift the right way, by tailoring my sessions and breaking down workouts in a set/rep ratio to fit my my body. I read everything, muscle and fitness, flex. Now its mens health and runners world, and of course, active.com. As time passed, as well as many of those fitness crazies, i came to embrace the "healthy body".Big and balky was out and the "fit" look was in. I learned that a great body is build by incorporating strength with cardio.I'm still working on the proper diet, that still elude me. Running has always been my first love and i'm glad we were able to hook up again. Because of my strength training past i'm fairly healthy and feel my body recovering at a rate quicker than most, who has had the same surgery.. Now i stride for the well balanced body by doing yoga for my mind, running (again SOON) for my heart, spinning (a new love), to build strong ligaments and tendons where i need the force, and push ups, pull ups, lunges and presses for overall strength. Find a way to balance out your workouts and i think u will have a healthy, strong body. Do different things on different days, don't obsess, like i did, over workouts by doing too much in each session, DON'T push it, get lots of rest, take days off just lying around, recovering, and, as always, when your body tells u its time to take a break, tell your mind to listen or it will cost u in the end. Cheers! with a corona and flip flops, got my knee resting with a wnba game on universal sports, Good luck. One more thing, i stay motivated by watching lots of marathons, triathlons and track and field on TV in my spare time, it really gets me pumped.