Swolen/Locking knee

Question
I have recently started running with a personal trainer and after my last run last night my knee has swollen around the joint from front to back, it feels like a huge blister inside the joint, it is making my knee difficult to bend and hurts to walk on, I am realy concerned as I do have future plans of running marathons but for now I would be happy to run 5K, can you offer any advice?

Thanks
Terry

Answer
Sorry Terry, but I can't explain causes or ways to fix an injury such as yours, or any other injury for that matter, by email.  I couldn't even do it face-to-face with people because I'm not qualified to evaluate injuries in a healing/treatment manner.  I would seek out a doctor or chiropractor for medical treatment for your knee.  

On a side note from a runner's standpoint, not everyone is built to be a marathon runner.  Those of bigger frames and less of a history with running/sports in general are not good candidates for entering marathons.  Sure, the thrill of achieving the goal of running/completing such a race can be exciting, but to me, its not worth it if the body is going to be over-trained and an increase in injury happens.  I have seen a lot of runners to try to build up to running for, or training for a marathon, and they run into many problems with knees, hips, ankles, & lower back issues.  Many other trainers have been seeing this, too, where some runners just don't have the right kind of frame to their body, to handle such forces.  If a guy is 6'4" and 220-230 pounds and starts running to train for a marathon with no running experience, he's bound to suffer some major injuries along the way of his training. His weight would increase the amount of forces displacing through the muscles, joints, & bones, moreso than a leaner, shorter runner (like a 5'7", 150 pound male). In this case, a 5K would be a better fit because of its shorter distance and higher intensity: less forces overall to transfer throughout the man's frame, and it would be easier to recover from.  I guess I am more of an 'anti-marathon' trainer because of these issues.  I don't believe all running advice should be based on marathon training, which it seems to 'root' itself from.  So, those are some concerns to keep in mind.  I am only guessing that if you are trying to train for marathons, perhaps your body isn't built for that type of demand.  Its the same reasoning why most powerlifters are short,stocky guys, and not tall, lanky guys.  The shorter guys have less distance to push/pull the weight, versus the taller guys, and can, by physics alone, be able to handle higher weights than their taller counterparts.  

I hope this helps you well,
Rick Karboviak