If you go to a podiatrist will tell you need a custom orthotic in your shoe to change your knees alignment. A chiropractor will have you come back every week for life to adjust the pain away. An orthopedic doc will schedule surgery to remove a bit of cartilage or meniscus. A GP or sports med doc will give you a script for PT where you will be taught some stretches and exercises, you will also be asked to come back for several weeks. All will say lay off running for a while or to back it down, not to mention all will require an x-ray, CT scan or a couple thousand dollar MRI!

OK ... you can go to a doc if things continue to get worse or the pain is not manageable. You may even need custom orthotics, some physical therapy or worse yet, surgery. The point of my doc talk is to warn you that there is no magic bullet and after the appointment you often back to square one.

What to do? Feel the pain out. Ice is the miracle drug, always ice after a run, maybe even a second time each day. Yes, you may need a few days off to calm down the pain. Change your stride, your running route, your pace, or your shoes. You may have to run every other day for a bit and build up slower than the schedule. So be it. You will learn about yourself and what you need to do stay pain free. We have lots of time! Read about your pain on-line on sites like runnersworld.com. After rest, days off, self help and patience you have a good chance of getting back on track ... If not or if things are getting worse, then it may be time for intervention.

Hang tough,

Randy Step