Over eager

Rob and I started our drive to Gainesville on Friday around 5:30 PM Central, which means we got there around 2:00 AM Eastern. I slept for about an hour and a half on the ride down, and then woke up at 6:30 Eastern and ran a very slow 8 miles. I made the very stupid mistake of doing leg strength the day before my long run (never again) so my quads and calves were sore from the get-go. I ran an 11:04 average without even making a conscious effort to slow myself down to that pace...the combination of little sleep and sore muscles slowed me down plenty. It was dark when I started to run, and as I ran through campus there were already people up setting up their tailgates for the 12:00 kickoff! I got a lot of "Go Gators!" as I ran past...it was quite entertaining. It was very foggy, so I didn't get to see the sunrise I had been looking forward to and it was pretty chilly because I was so damp from the mist.

My knee felt fine during the run...there were times when I thought I felt something weird, but it could have just been my imagination. I was pretty happy about finishing the 8 miler, considering that I haven't run anything over 6 miles since my half marathon in September.

After I ran, I stretched really well and foam rolled. I thought my knee was going to be okay, but I wrapped it just in case and took some ibuprofen. I didn't plan for the amount of walking that we were going to be doing that day, and I think that is what really did me in. Rob and I stayed in a hotel on the northeast corner of campus, and we walked all over for the game yesterday. My knee started really hurting after the game, when I turned awkwardly as I tried to squeeze between two people in a crowded space. It hurt all day today too, and I'm icing it as I type. It doesn't seem to be as painful as it was after my last long run, so I'm hoping I'll get over it soon...but I think it may be time for me to go see a sports doctor (now that I have health insurance--yay!) :( I just want to be able to run this marathon... I really hate feeling so powerless.

This game was much more stressful than 

it should have been!

My exercise plans for this week will depend on how my knee is feeling. I was hoping to do some biking today, but that isn't going to happen. Maybe tomorrow? Hopefully a couple of 30-45 minute runs later in the week.