Running Like a Moron
This morning I was out visiting a potential account/friend of mine, Eric Ott. Eric is a killer runner and triathlete, but also the owner of Geneva Running Outfitters. If you're ever out that way, stop in. Great shop, great people, and some seriously smart employees too.
Anyway, it's no secret I've been crabbing about my knee a lot lately. I don't know what the cause was, but after today I have a good feeling it goes back to the bike crash I had over Labor Day. I was talking with Eric about my bum knee and he suggested I get on the treadmill and look at my stride.
Here's what we learned: my left leg from hip to knee is operating at less than the ROM of my right leg. What I mean is that my knee is bending less when my foot comes through, and my hip doesn't drive my femur/knee as far forward as my right side does. Makes sense, considering I smashed the pavement on my left side. Basically, this was causing my knee to be almost locked out on impact, which gives a better chance of my knee guts grinding together uncomfortably. You'd think I'd feel something as dopey as this, but I didn't. Woops.
How am I going to fix it? Flexibility, strength, and practice. Here's the problem though. Yoga is the best way for me to increase flexibility, but because of this damn crash, my shoulder may or may not be able to do a downie dog. We shall see. Regardless, I'll get this thing figured out.
Long story short is this: If you're running with pain, chances are you're running like a moron. Go see someone who knows how to run properly, and figure out what you're doing wrong. Then fix it.