Week 8 of 15, Monday 5K Race Preparation – Recovery Run

I took a week off from running because of my left knee injury. I sustained a small injury from running too fast, for too long. I didn't run for a week, but I still walked and did strength exercises. Today was my first recovery run and I know I felt pretty good prior to the run but wasn't sure how I am going to do during the run and afterwards. Overall, it was a good run. I was able to run 4 miles with slow pace. There was a tiny pain in the left knee that I still felt, but it didn't grow on me during the run. Afterwards, it feels pretty good. I am very pleased with the run and the ability to slowly get back into it. Through the years of running I have noticed that I don't need to wait to a point where I completely pain free, but rather it's better to start doing easy runs as soon as the pain is manageable and is not increasing during the run. I found that this strategy helps my body to heel a little faster and I don't loose my strength. The exercise and movement helps for the blood to flow better and injured tissue to clear up better and faster.