A couple weeks ago I tweaked my knee. From running 11 miles in crap shoes, to attending too many spin classes and getting the B.A.C. (badass chills..this is when you know you are going HARD!) I of course didn’t listen to this nagging irritation in my knee, and I continued to workout on it. I took it easy in spin, but I didn’t take it easy with running.
I actually had the best run of the year this past Sunday. A 12 miler around my favorite lake.
Aaannndd then shit hit the fan. The second I hit stop on my watch I felt my knee yelling at me. Ugh..WHY! It was swollen to the point I couldn’t make out my patella anymore. I’m 99.9999% sure I have a slight case of runners knee. I’ve had it once before, and without the $20 copay and some cold hands rubbing all over my knee, I’ll do my own self diagnosis.
Here’s the dilemma: I have a half marathon this Sunday. *&#*#&$@@!!! I am not a natural runner, half marathons take training for me. I have been training for two months for this race, and I am so excited. I am staying optimistic that I will still be able to run this race (even if my pace is 15:00min/mile!) I’ve been R.I.C.E-ing like it’s my job, and I am not doing ANY physical activity this week. No running, no spinning, no WALKING! Nothing. I’m skipping three days of scheduled running in HOPES that I can still participate this weekend.
It was clearly my turn to get spanked with the injury stick, but boy is this rough. I never understood how hard it was to sit back and do..nothing. It’s only been THREE days, and I am going stir crazy without movement. For all my friends out there that have serious injuries and are sidelined for months..you have my sympathy and support! I’ve naturally been drowning my sorrows with cupcakes, and I made these on Sunday night. I of course veganized the recipe and they turned out pretty good, not enough mocha flavor though.
My pictures were not pretty, so I am using theirs.
Tomorrow is Valentines day, and then the day after that is my birthday. I would loveee to run a half marathon for my birthday…just sayin. Happy day of love to you all.
My favorite accessory.
Q: Any tips/suggestions/comment/ideas/stories about knees, or about cats that anyone can help me withhh!!?
Blissfulbritt 
57 thoughts on “Taking A Week Off”
Alex @ therunwithin
oh noooooo!!!!! right before your half? gah I feel you pain lady and I wish I could give you some advice but I am lucky (knock on wood) and have never struggled with knee problems. I think what you are doing, resting it and stretching it is a great idea. i want to say just run the race and then take off as much time as you need after but in the end if it isn’t feeling right, don’t prolong the injury by running the race. You will be smart, I have no doubt
EverdayLivingPNW
Take it easy! Don’t blow out your knee….hang in there!
lindsaybscheele
I would continue to R.I.C.E and see how you feel the day of the half. If it were me (obviously I don’t know how much pain you are in), but I would try and run. I figure worst case scenario you don’t finish the race. Sorry your knee is giving you trouble! Injuries are the WORST!
thoughtsappear
I have a story about cats and knees! My cat scratched my knee last week…little punk.
Take it easy! Don’t do anything that’ll cause more damage.
spectacuLAUR
From one who has been sidelined for two years, listen to your body. If Sunday comes and your knee does not feel good, DO NOT RUN this race. Go and support other runners and maybe volunteer but do not run. Things can get much, much worse to the point of surgery. And believe me, when I had my first one… I did not expect three more and still things not being right. Seriously Brit, there are SO many half marathons you can do in the future but not if you blow out your knee. Please, please, please do not run on Sunday if it does not feel good. Please.
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Oh NO! That’s terrible. Fingers crossed that taking it easy for a few days (and support from birthday wish granters) is enough to get you on the course Sunday.
In the meantime, you should eat another cupcake.
charles bronson
Hey!
If you asked me, i would not do that half marathon this week…instead of that, look for a doctor to have a look at your knee, and once you have a clear result of the injury, do what’s necessary to be fit again asap!
You’ll surely have other chances to participate in a race, so, don’t hurry! 😉
Megan
UGHHHH. Be a trooper. Keep your butt firmly planted on the couch, your plate full of cupcakes, lots of IB profin to reduce the swelling, and then take some IB profin or other sort of anti inflammatory the morning of the race. You may be sore after but I doubt that you will be derailed from running. If it were me I would go for it, I’m kind of reckless though so take my advice with a grain of salt!
missymiller
Aw, girl I am sorry.
Learn, right? And promise us you will think REAL hard about this weekend okay? Ok.
Actually — I didn’t comment on that post where you wrote about your shoes but I thought about ya the other day when I was putting my insoles into my sneaks….Since you don’t like to spend the money to replace the kicks as often perhaps you can look into extending the life for about a month or so with a quality pair of insoles? Just a thought.
However I think the main point is too just spend the dough.
Brittany
It’s funny you say this, because I had that EXACT thought! I have some insoles for a pair of shoes that are SO old..but I still use them. My boyfriend kindly advises me that just like shoes, the insoles wear down too. Of course I refused to listen..but I think maybe I will try insoles in regular shoes. As for running, I am sold on switching them out sooner, even if that’s not why my knee is bum I will forever be convinced because I WILL NEVER go though this again..I refuse. HAH.
pickyrunner
That is not good. Not good at all. I really REALLY hope you’re able to run this weekend! I think taking this week off is extremely smart and your knee will feel better. As for Saturday, I think that you will probably be able to start the race and if it doesn’t feel good partway through, DO NOT be afraid to jump out. At least you’ll get a good tempo training run out of it 🙂
p.s- cupcakes. Bomb.
di @ life of di.
Such a bummer that the race is this weekend 😦 Take it easy over the next few days and see how you’re doing on Saturday night. Maybe you’ll feel up to it – could you run/walk it?
At the same time, you don’t want to push yourself because you don’t want to really damage your knee. Then you’d be down for a LONNGGG time and that’d really be a bummer. Ah. I’m sorry this happened so soon to your race. 😦
Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen
Ugg hope your knee feels better! Doesn’t sound fun 😦
An Unrefined Vegan
Oh gosh, hon! I want you to be able to run, too, but please please listen to your knee and skip the race if you are still having pain/swelling. It is NOT worth the permanent damage and the longer recuperation time. Learn from someone who ran anyway. My left knee is toast now and no good for more than 5 miles at a time.
Britta
Ughhh man 😦 I am crossing my fingers that you’ll be able to run on Sunday! I have knee issues as well, so I know exactly what you are going through!! Glad the cupcakes are helping out and hopefully you’ll be good to go for Sunday.. even if you have to walk the bad boy 😉
FEEL BETTER! XOXOXOX praying to the running/knee gods every day until sunday (and after that too obv) for ya!
Choc Chip Uru
Ugh feel better my friend!!! Don’t rush anything at all!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Karla @ myhighonlife
Gahhh! I am sending warm thoughts and love to you and your knee. I really hope you can run the half marathon but remember-if it’s still bad it’s not worth it. Imagine how you’d feel if it became a month-long recovery and you had to be inactive. If 3 days is getting you itching I wouldn’t recommend it. But I still hope you heal quick 🙂
Chocolate fixes everything. Good thing tomorrow is Vday-a day just for chocolate if you ask me ❤
kaityscooking
oh nooo ! stuff like this always has to happen before something big! I know all I do when my knee bothers me is ice and heat and eat very healthy.. def stay off of it though. You got this youll do great once your there! and that lake is the best i would loveeeeeeeee to run around that !
kepotts
Bummer! So frustrating when something like this happens, I was injured right before a race a few years ago, to the point where I just couldn’t do it! I agree with the icing & rest & see how it feels day of. I know it’s hard, but if it’s going to make it worse, then don’t run. Happy Early Birthday, hang in there 🙂
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile
Ahhh I hope you feel better ASAP!! That would be the best birthday ever!
gillian
I have struggled with knee pain on and off – it is often IT-band or hip related, so foam roll the heck out of that thing. As hard as it can be to skip a race, sometimes it is better to do that than risk longer-term injury.
Christina Does It All
feel better! i suck at recovering from injuries/illnesses because i refuse to not exercise…..bad. lol.
happy almost birthdayyyyy!!!!!!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Rest, rest, rest. Ice, ice ice and then more rest and ice.
I so hope you can run the half marathon. I’ll be sending positive knee vibes your way.
Cat stories: my oldest feline, Max, has a food addiction and yesterday, when my back was turned, he climbed onto the kitchen counter and tried to eat my red onion. Brat. He’s eaten bell peppers, kale chips, cookies, pasta, bread and pretty much everything. No food is safe with him in the house.
Brittany
Hahaha best story ever. I want to meet Max, and climb trees with him and then feed him some of my onion. A cat that likes onion..so bizarre!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I should have told you the other story. He once carried an entire loaf of bread from the kitchen, up the stairs, to just outside our bedroom door. He then proceeded to tear open the bag and pretty much eat half a loaf of bread, all while we slept blissfully unaware. We no longer keep loaves of bread, even in bags, on the counter for him to snag.
Brittany
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA oh my god no..I am dying. I want this cat. Better yet, I’ll just come visit you and play with him all day long.
Heather
I feel you on the knee injury! It has been 7 freakin WEEKS since I’ve been able to run and I had to miss the marathon I was training super hard for. Is there a another half you could sign up for a few weeks later to insure your knee is better? TRUST ME when I say you don’t want to make it worse, haha. Can’t wait to try those cupcakes! I’ve never made vegan cupcakes before but have always wanted to try 🙂 Sending positive healing thoughts your way!
Life After Swimming
Oh no, girl! I really hope the few days of rest helps! A good race would be a nice birthday present 🙂
Colin DeWaay
So sorry to hear! Injuries suck and especially and such inopportune times like this! Thinking good thoughts for you, get that thing healed up!!!
Vanessa
Ahh that’s no good! I often have knee problems and I am currently training for a half in May. I always RICE and it helps so I’m sure you will truck through it! Good luck and happy early birthday, Britt!
Lou
Oh boo, what a bummer man. I am sending knee-healing vibes your way for sure – rest up and keep eating those cupcakes!
cleaneatingveggiegirl
Knee pain while running is SO frustrating. Unfortunately, I cannot help you out much with it because I am still dealing with it on a daily basis and cannot run yet :(. Boo!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Ack! Sorry to hear about your knee, girlie! I wish I could offer you some good advice, but I’ve never bad to deal with any running related injuries so I really don’t know what to tell you! Definitely sending good healing vibes your way though!
TorontoRunner
awww bday soon!!
Man, I am SORRY to hear about your knee!! so sorry..Keep resting it and I really, really hope you can do the 1/2. I do have to say I hope running on it doesn’t make it worse – (I did that before with my quads. ugh)
Erin Runs
Bummer about your knee injury! I would advice you to run with a phone (if you even start the race) and call someone to pick you up if your knee starts hurting!! Don’t push through knee pain.
jessielovestorun
Just keep taking it easy girl & you’ll be good to go (fingers crossed). Bake some more yummy treats, and if you need too… feel free to send some this way 🙂
Khushboo Thadani
Ohh man..so sorry to hear about your knee, Britt- so disheartening but PLEASE rest as long as you need for it to recover! I know it’s hard to see it now but even one run can prolong recovery so much! Use this time to rest up, eat lots of veganised cake and you will definitely bounce back stronger!
Happy birthday Eve!!!!
Melissa @ Mouthwatering Morsel
oy vey! I hope you get well soon. esp so close to race time! eek! birthdays! if you lived by me I would make you your own special cake.
jessiebearwhat
Sorry about your injury! Sending positive thoughts your way. At least ya got yummy cupcakes! haha
GiGi Eats Celebrities
SUCK IT VALENTINE’S DAY! It’s the stupidest holiday of the year… Well actually it ties with Halloween… BUT ANYWAYS I am not here to rant about dumb holidays that make single people feel like a P.O.S.!!
Your knee! UGH! I really really don’t want you tearing your ACL or MCL! Imagine if you did that, then you would have to take off WAY MORE THAN A WEEK! You have to weigh the pros and cons and see how you feel the day of your 1/2 marathon. I WISH I were there to magically transform your puffy knee to that of a sleek and sexy gizelle leg that would take you through that 1/2 marathon in an HOUR flat! Shhh… Don’t tell anyone that I have magical powers.
Brittany
I LOVE HALLOWEEN!! It’s like…second to Christmas HANDS down!! HOW do you not like Halloween!? I don’t like dressing up or any of that shizz..no no…I just love the decorations and treats!! Well, I guess you don’t like the candy ( I don’t either though cause it ain’t vegan friendly) but still!!! OKKKK I still love you. I kinda like Vday too..but only because I’m not single. I think if I were single I would shank Vday. I will be your Valentine though..I can pimp myself out and be multiple Valentines, only to women though. One man…lots of women.
Your magical powers are safe with me, but only if you COME FIX MEEE UGHH!
folycakes
Oh no! I just recently started running (4 months ago) so I consider myself a runner now, I actually love it and I would be devastated if I couldn’t run for a while. Here’s hoping it gets better soon (maybe by Saturday) but certainly don’t put too much stress on it so that you won’t be out for too long!
Tessa at Amazing Asset
Bahhh so so sorry to hear that this is happening Brittany! I do want to congratulate you on that stellar 12 mile run though, fantastic stuff right there, although then you have the knee issues… doh. I am hoping and praying that your knee is better for the Half, you deserve to run and I know what it feels like to give up a particular race due to injuries/fatigue… it sucks, plain and simple. So yes, here are some healing vibes!!! Feeling them yet? 😉
Oh and I bake out of frustration/stir-craziness a lot too, a most excellent choice
noshingonasphalt
Oh no!! Sounds like you have a good plan for making it to the starting line but I hate that you got injured so close to the 1/2. 😦
Alisha's Appetite
oh noooooooo!! Fingers crossed it will be okay enough for you to run!!
HollieisFueledByLOLZ
This honestly seems a bit like when I ripped my knee tendon last year around this time. Have you been foam rolling the back? That is the only thing that truly helped me besides actual rest. It wasn’t that I couldn’t run it just hurt when I stopped. Email me anytime girl! I would personally run the half and take a lot of time off after (by a lot I mean however long it takes to heal..). I’m giving you the advice that I would personally do…not saying it’s the best advice.
B
I don’t have any tips but I hope you’re able to run your race!
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because
Oh man, I’m so sorry to hear about your knee! I’m the same way; halfs take TRAINING and it’s such a bummer to hit a SNAFU right before the race.
I’d probably do the same thing – rest like hell, then cross my fingers for race day. Definitely not go for a certain pace or time.
katalysthealth
Oh me and knee pain are like best friends. I literally feel pain in 1 of my knees everyday, and its just something I learned to live with. I say just ice like crazy, foam roll, stretch, and TRY to take it easy!
Lisa @ Lisa the Vegetarian
Oh no, that’s such bad timing and injuries are no fun at all! I hope everything works out and that your knee starts feeling better soon.
glutenfreezen
Bummer about the knee! Just wait until you’re old like me…then all kinds of things start malfunctioning. 😉 Thanks for stopping by my blog today.
Amy Tong
Oh my! Hope your kneed will get better soon before the run. 🙂 Take care and take it easy.
Amy Tong
I meant “knee”! 🙂
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gabby.runs
Ouch! Hope everything works out and, as everyone before has already said, ice and rest! Best of luck running today and happy birthday! 🙂
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