Knumb Knees

I can't feel my knees.

Was it the rounds I ran in Ultra last night?

Or was it the Mexican bean soup I had for dinner?

Ultra Running
Last night, Ultra was a runner's study hall packed with people cramming for the upcoming Condura Race this Sunday (Yep, guilty as charged). I ran with my friend, Allen, who would be running her first 10K. I spotted other familiar faces as well: Coach Rio and his team (Go Nike Clinic coaches!); crazy marathoner Iah, who was training with The Bald Runner team; and marathon buddy Dave, who would be running the half marathon.

I ran for 40 minutes, and did a little speedwork for 10 minutes. Admittedly, I kind of took it easy after last month's Cebu Marathon. This 2nd full mary was an idea I toyed with, but didn't really think I'd actually sign up for. But was I that out of shape that my body is now complaining after being on standby mode for a while? Does the lack of long runs really have much bearing, even after a recent 42K? My mind says no, but my knees say otherwise. Hmm... who do I believe? Stubborn head or dumb, numb knees?

Jalapeno Craving
After the training session in Ultra, we met up with other friends to have a "light" dinner at the cozy Mexican place, Jalapeno, in Ortigas Home Depot. (Ooh, you know what else is in Ortigas Home Depot? Second Wind Running Store. I finally dropped off my race bib to post on their racing wall. Check out The Wall. It's so cool!) I was craving for Jalapeno's gooey Baked Jalapeno Cheese Nachos and super yummy Vegetarian Burritos (which doesn't seem vegetarian at all!). My mouth is watering already. I ordered the Mexican Bean Soup as appetizer first. It was good, but now that my knees are hurting, and I wonder if the beans (from the soup and burritos) did me any good at all. I actually don't have gout though...

So, what's with the sudden pain in my knees? Was it too much running (40 minutes is hardly much compared to the 5++ hours on Sunday), too much Mexican beans, or {gasp!} purely psychological because of the looming race on the Skyway? (My first Skyway Run last year was disastrous. Ugh!)

Hmm....