Will I Run Again? | An update on my knee... 

That is my mindset at this point. It is looking like a months long recovery process. But I will be back for sure!

Thank you so much!

Thank you! I will be back!

Tough break for sure.

Thank you so much for the encouragement and for sharing your story. I know this in my head, but being reminded always encourages me to remain patient. Thank you!

Did you have it surgically repaired?

@@LYoung-et2sg No, just time & rehab. I still do the exercises my physiotherapist got me to do, even today, to support the muscles around the knee. It’s a horrible injury, because for a very long time you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel & everyday, for month after month, it seems to be Groundhog Day.

@@scousertommy8220 that’s very encouraging! My tear is small and I’m doing a sports performance based PT to strengthen the muscles around the knee like you mentioned. I’ve been walking (blah) and did a light jog which felt great but was sore later. One step forward two back.

@@LYoung-et2sg More like two forward & one back. The fact that you’ve managed a ‘light jog’, would indicate you’re just around the bend from seeing the light! Are you using BFR/occlusion bands, to assist with regenerating of lost muscle mass? If I recall, I lost nearly an inch in size difference between my left & right leg during my injury. They not only gave me a boost in my regains, but they also focused my mind to look forward & see the gains on getting back to ‘normal’. Ask your PT if it would be suitable for you & your needs?

Such a bummer. Be patient and allow for it to heal completely.

It is a good question. For me MAF is still super helpful with injury prevention. My particular injury came outside of running. Then any running was just exacerbating the problem.

I found MAF to a godsend. I’ve “only” been a runner since Covid struck, but I’m so thankful I started it by doing MAF. Yes, it’s as frustrating as hell. Yes, it’s boring. Yes, you don’t see the results quickly. But in saying that, for someone who used to HATE running with a passion (even if I was training for another sport), it has taught me patience & the appreciation of running for fun. I did nothing but MAF for 3 months, clocking in 60,70,80km a week. And overtime I’ve seen chunks drop of my pace from my very first run, to the point I’m now over a minute per km faster with the same HR. As for injuries, none to report as yet (touch wood). My opinion is MAF doesn’t allow you to put stress your body beyond what it is capable of. TBH, my only stiffness or muscle aches are from non-MAF related training.

Hi TD. I'm planning on making a video one day with my review on MAF. It has been a long dated project because I am still so divided about the subject. I don't want to make it injustice, but also would like to raise some potential limitations that people need to know if they are to invest hours and months into it. In a tiny nutshell: the formula is statistically bogus (depending on your true max HR, it can be too easy or too hard) and can represent completely different training stimulus for different people. Also there is no clear indications regarding weekly volume. On the plus side (for me the training was very low intensity) it helped me finally complete a marathon and it most likely help me use more fat as fuel. Probably helped my overall aerobic system. On the minus side, it was often boring and it was correlated with reduced Garmin estimated Vo2max and lactate threshold. I would end up by saying that the books are definitely worth a read.

@@scousertommy8220 I'm glad it works for you and for many runners out there. But as someone who used to LOVE running, MAF taught me to hate walking. I'm happy to have tossed it and now focus on feel and I'm back to loving running without the whole shebang and rules MAF enforces. Again, I fully respect it works for people. Just not my style.

I'm a fan!