have jus been to a 6 day orienteering festival with about 5k each day and sprained / pulled my knee on day 2....i was in pain for the rest of my run but managed to run fine on day 3 and 4 with the help of ibrobrufane (cant spell it) then forgot to take it on day 5 (as i felt no pain when walking) and had to be stretchered off for ice on my left knee and pain in my right hip (from running diff to reduce pain?) and in my lower back. i since havent run for two weeks but went out to try and run yesterday and felt the same pain. i am suposed to be running for wales on saturday / sunday, is this sensible and should i still just keep taking ibrobrufane and is there anything i can do to help the healing process. went to the docter and he just said up to 3 months rest which i cannot afford to take so what should i do? hope it goes away? or seek mor ehelp / not run? and by taking ibrobrufane before hand and so not feeling the pain, is there a chance that i am actually doing more damage?
thanks, Jen

did the doc tell you anything else other than rest for 3 months? like maybe what is actually worng with your knee and how you did it and how you can avoid doing it again (while maintaining an active life)? if not, i'd go get a second opinion. because the only way you're going to get better is when you know what's wrong and what you can/can't do. for the time being though, i'd just make sure to stretch well before your race, take ibuprofin if it helps, stretch after the race and then ice. maybe try some other non-weight bearing activities though, like aqua jogging? but really it all depends on what's wrong.... above all, listen to your body!! your health is more important than a race. good luck!!

:) annie