And on

So I took 3 days off running, out of sheer panic over my latest bout of knee pain. Then I ran about a 3 yesterday and a 4.5 home from work tonight, and everything seems ok(ish.)

On Chad's advice, I've incorporated the wall squat to my routine - to which I must return religiously. I repeatedly make the mistake that when the running appears to be going fine, I slack off on the strengthening/stretching exercises. Clearly, I'm going to get injured over and over and over, unless I get serious about prevention. I read my way through 3 years of old running diaries last night and counted at least 11 separate occasions where I complain about left knee pain - a couple of those times it knocked me out for months.

Last Thursday I couldn't do the wall squat for 5 continuous seconds. Now, 5 days later, I'm up to 90 seconds with reasonable ease. Sure, I feel the burn, but it's bearable.

So, it's still 1 step forward and 2 back for me. I read the progress other people make with their comebacks and marathon achievements (serious congrats to Chelle and Josh on their recent PRs!), and wonder when it'll be my turn. I've figured out the logistics of squeezing running into my overloaded schedule, I have the enthusiasm, the heart, the will. All I need are strong knees to carry me there.