Marathon October 7th

Question
Hi,

I am training for my first marathon, (Portland, October 7th, just 8 days out.  I have been following a moderate mileage schedule(20-38 miles per week), and I have completed three 20-milers.  I am now in the "taper" phase.

Over the past few weeks I have felt stiffness and tightness in my knees, more in my right knee.  I have often gotten the sensation that my kneecap was "loose" and there have been times in my run when I stopped and shook my knee out and was able to move on without pain.  It's always been a very odd feeling but after all of the reading I've done I'm thinking chrondomalacia.

The problem is that three days ago while doing an easy 4-miler, I turned to head up an incline and the pain in my knee ended up causing me to walk.  It seems to be triggered by any inclines or uneven surface.  I rested the next day and when I went out yesterday, I had the sensation that my quads and muscles around the knees were very tight, and I had more pain in the knee.  I went and had a deep tissue massage last night, thinking that might help.  I am not sure yet if it did, as I am feeling sore today from the massage itself.

I'm sorry this is so long.  Here is my specific question: I understand that I can do some strenght training to correct muscle imbalances, etc., but not before the marathon. Do I run any more from now until next Sunday or do I just try complete rest for the next seven days?  My schedule calls for an 8-miler this Saturday and a few short runs next week.  If I don't run will I be even stiffer on marathon day?  I am confused and worried.

Any advice you have would be so much appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer
Dr. Tina
I think you made the right call on chodromalicia.All the training and preperations you have done is what you will run on.With 8 days left the only thing you can do is get as healthy as you can.First i would not run another step.Second the best tool for your situation and to correct some of the alignment and tracking problems along with some imbalances you have developed is a stationary bike.You want to have medium tension with higher spin 90 rpm.You do not want to kill the workouts,you just want to ride easy amd confortable.I would add 500mg vit c with your 3 meals a day to enhance recovery of tendons,tissues,cells, and add a couple of epson salt baths but not the week before the race.I would make the last bike workout wednesday before sundays race.If you have any questions between now and race day just get in touch or you could call if you like.My phone is on my site www.rentacoachinternational.com.I would love to know how you did if you get a chance Tina.

All the very best to you

John