Good morning Runners, Happy Halloween!

Chilly out there this morning but at least no rain. Got an easy 6mi in.

Any of you use that KT tape? I've been having some issues with my R knee for a couple weeks. I believe its being caused by a weak glute causing my knee to drop inwards a bit. I'm not really sure whats wrong with the knee (touch of ITB, runners knee? tendonitis?) but I believe this is the underlying problem. Seems to be a little sore where the quad connects to the knee? Ive started doing some glute/hip strength work but I don't believe it will make a difference for my race in 2 weeks. I have no pain while running but after hard efforts (long progressions, tempos) it will be fairly sore for a couple days. I was thinking of trying to tape it somehow for the race and was just wondering if any of you had any thoughts on this.

Sorry about KT tape. Never used it.

Ran 6 x (2min / 2min) commuting to work this morning. In the wind. Got it done.

Morning!  I have Pilates and 7 with 8 X 100m tonight.  Probably on the TM since I have to run late tonight.

Jay, I used a lot of RockTape when I tore my meniscus.  Taping should depend on what you have.  If you think the knee is going inwards maybe taping for patella tracking for that side might help?  If around the quad, check the taping for runner's knee and see if it helps.  Google the videos, they are really helpful.

7.25 on the AlterG.

Jay -- I've used Rocktape a lot (KT cotton is useless, KT Pro gives me a rash), never had it help for ITBS, but for other knee issues, it sometimes did make a little bit of a difference.  I play around with different applications depending on where it hurts.  For something like you're describing, I'd probably start with one that looks similar to this and then adjust as needed.

Good morning!

JayB, I used Rocktape on my foot/ankle earlier this year and think it helped.  Their website has some good videos that show you how to apply it for various injuries/problem areas.

Ran to work today with my new backpack   Loved the convenience of being able to carry what I forgot to leave at work, but running with a backpack is going to take some adjustment.  I was slower than usual with the backpack, and I did take a few walk breaks to keep the hip happy, trying to ease back into it.  Got 4.6 miles.  There's a chance DH will pick me up at work to run some errands, but if he doesn't, then I will run home for another 3.

I barely made it out of bed this morning, but I got to the gym. I wanted to do legs and glutes today but sadly the squat rack was being hogged so.... I made it Biceps, Triceps and Chest today.... hopefully tomorrow I can get in there.

Then I got home, ate something and then got dressed for the cold ass run that Jetta and I were about to do. 36 degrees...... my ass was a popsicle by the time we finished the 6.4 miles...........

So sleepy today!  Power went down at 11pm last night (I assume on purpose to fix something) and came back in the wee hours of the morning with all the bedroom lights on.  Thanks for waking me up!  At least it was cool last night instead of last time they took away the power post Hurricane Irma when it was 92F inside the house.  Anyway, I already had one cup of Starbucks, but what I really need is the Cuban coffee shot that wakes up the dead.

Morning Runners,

Thinking on 4-5 later.

Jay: No, never used it.  Imbalances take awhile to fix. If you go to a PT, they might be able to pinpoint what to work on. For my knee problems it is step ups to a medium (12") step with 15 lb. dumb bells, 3 times a week-front and side, and some single leg squats, that seem to help. I do one set of 30 second wall chair while I'm doing my hand grips, and 20 regular squats as part of my dynamic warmup. For knee problems, it is common to strengthen/stretch the quads and now they are saying work on the hips, and get some more range of motion there.

Could be you are over striding when running faster too. Most of us have tight hip flexors and this limits our ability to keep a neutral pelvis when running. We then tend to reach out with the leading leg. This is the classic "sitting in the bucket or chair", position.

This is a good picture that shows what I'm talking about- but disregard the dig to heel striking. Excessive heel striking can be a problem and comes most likely from a tilted pelvis, bending at the waist, and over striding-like the picture. But slight is not a problem and the majority of runners heel strike. Most of us don't have perfect form, but it's something to be in touch with, and we can improve some with work.

If you tighten your butt muscles and push your junk forward, you get the idea of what it feels like to have a neutral pelvis-like doing a bridge. That is why bridges are good for runners, and keeping the hip flexors stretched out.

http://www.triathlete.com/2015/08/training/runners-knee-treatment-recovery-and-exercises_72793