Can I still run ?

Question
Im jogging since now 2month 1/2, 5 times a week, i run for 40 minutes for 3 days and 50 for 2 days, last time i ran, i felt like i wouldnt make it... I had my period so i though it was it... but then when i woke the next day, the exterior side of my left knees was painful, couldnt come down the stairs.... now i know i have to do some streching, i know i should drink more water, I will check up my shoes, but what i really want to know is: Can I go on and run ??? all i read is rest... but i dont want to rest i want to go on and run.... Can i do so without damaging my knee, if i do it smoothly ?

Thank you

Caroline

Answer
The answer is yes, if you want to make your knee weaker, your recovery to be prologued, and  the pain to worsen.

Sure, you can still run, in a matter of time, but it also depends on how  much work you will be willing to do to keep it rested. What you probably have is close to patellofemoral syndrome, in english, knee not being connected strongly enough to the muscles of your upper leg. Knee problems, with knowledge, can seem to heal themselves, based on how you use that knowledge to correct it. When you are bending your knee after you notice the pain, you are not healing it. So, let's get down to buisness.
First you need rest. Two weeks of rest should let you start exercising it again. Now like I said, if your knee is priority, you will buy some flexible sports wrap, wrap your knee up so your leg is always straight (without cutting your circulation off, no need to do that) and walk a little bit weird for 2 weeks. If your knee is not priority, you will keep walking on it, continue to feel pain, and not heal up for maybe a month, get a bad start on your running, and feel the pain all over again.
While resting, you need exercise, and there is no better exercise that involves straight legs than jump roping. Jump rope as long and as much as your heart desires. You may sleep with your wrap off, and it doesn't hurt to prop your leg on a pillow and bend your knee a little bit.

After your recovery, the pain will be gone, but the more challenging and scary part: starting running again. I would recommend running with your wrap on for a week, and then you should be safe to run your 40 to 50 minutes. I'd say if you've had this knee problem, you need to focus on prevention rather than training again, right? So if you are dedicated to healing this problem, do yourself a favor and run hills and do a little biking. Mix this in with your schedule, and you can feel absolutely safe running in grass. It is always harder on your knees when you run on cement, even if your shoes are very cushioned. Running on cement is synonymous with knee problem.
This was a general few paragraphs, feel free to ask about any specifics you may have.
Good luck, and be patient.
Jared