Life Past 30

For those who don’t already know, I completed the 26.2 mile Marine Corps Marathon on October 26, 2008.  Immediately following the finish, I was in pain and ate everything I could to help speed up muscle recovery.  Since then, I have been taking it easy, walking a lot, and watching my diet.  All this aided in helping me become pain-free by Halloween.  Up until yesterday, I was feeling wonderful and decided to go for an evening walk after work.  The pace was normal for me, which is fast, however, I began feeling a little pain in the back of my right knee.  This is the knee I had surgery on 10 years ago.  Luckily, it was not pain associated with an injury, but rather of fluid build up.  I slowed my pace to isolate the exact origin of the pain, soon realizing that the back of the knee was slightly swollen.  When I got home, I immediately began massaging the area and then propped my feet up on a pillow.  From that point on, I relaxed until it was time to go to bed.  The last thing I want is an injury and will take extra care when walking to prevent one.  The walking will continue at a slightly slower pace than my usual until whatever is irritated in my knee heals itself.  When I start training again in three weeks, it will be slow and methodical, yet beneficial.