so i picked up a copy of marathoning for mortals, by john bingham and coach jenny, before making it to the beach last week. i'm more than halfway through and am slowly realizing i may not be as prepared for the marathon in october as i thought i might be. i realize it is still like 20 plus weeks away, but the last month has been pooptastic and today my knees and right hip kinda hurt. they aren't screaming in pain, but they're just nagging enough that i know i shouldn't ignore them. especially since my primary source of income requires me to be walking for 8 hours.
i've spent the last year learning to run basically on my own. reading, researching, and briefly joining a training group that i had to drop out of a few weeks later because of scheduling issues. considering i am no professional, it makes sense i didn't do it all right all the time.
so instead of trying out hammer out this marathon at the expense of the health of my limbs, i'm going to do it the right way. by consulting with a doctor first! GASP! I KNOW! who woulda thought? i'm paying for health insurance, i may as well damned use it. even if it is an hmo.
first order of business is to make an appointment with a sports medicine person (uh, what are they called again?) i'll continue to ice and advil. and i'll have to make friends with other forms of exercise. which is a pain in the arse because the only thing i really enjoy other than running is kickboxing and considering it's high impact that isn't an option. i might just dive further into dorkhood and buy an aqua vest for water running. and/or take the swimming lessons i've been wanting to take.
either way, i think i've made peace with the fact that 1. running intensely right now might not be in the cards right now. 2. i might have to cut the marathon i paid to run to a half marathon. 3. as much as i hate crosstraining, it WILL make me a better runner.
8 comments:
Your plan for recovery sounds good! Take care of those aches and pains now before they stop you in your tracks. With the base miles you have 15 weeks can get you to marathon. YOU CAN DO IT!
Eric
Sounds like a plan, sweetie! "MforM" was my bible when I trained for my first half. I think, with cross-training and a professional consult, you still have plenty of time to properly train for the Big One. But you sure don't want to risk further injury.
An orthopedist? Is that who you're going to see?
Also, I wouldn't discount your readiness for a marathon. If you follow an 18 week plan, and don't skip out on the long runs (I skippe dout on so many of mine and I think that really under-prepared me), you'll do fine. But preparing to change your plan now is also wise.
I read that book at the end of week 7 of my 8 week training plan and it forced me to reconsider and doubt myself (and I don't believe in self-doubt). It didn't change my mind, but I felt more anxious after reading that book than I did on marathon morning staring at myself in the mirror at 4am.
I don't think anyone gets it right all the time, but with a good base, which you have, a 16 week training program with a few 16 or 18 milers should be sufficient to get you to the finish line. Assuming, after all, that is the course you decide to take.
Cross training and strength training will definitely make you a better runner in the end though. (at least in my opinion)
I think you'll be able to tackle the full come Oct. Just take it easy.
For my first (and thus far only) full marathon in Oct 06, I started training in April (using FIRST). I did a half in mid June and developed Plantars Faciitis in my left heal. I saw a Podiatrist and took nearly 4 weeks off from running. When I resumed training in mid July, I incorporated swimming.
A did another half in Sept (9 weeks into training and 4 weeks away from the full). To comply with my training plan, I had intended on running the half and then another 5-6 for my last long run before taper. However, I fell on the 11th mile that resulted in a hip to thigh bruise that still occasionally aches to this day when my toddlers sit upon my lap. Needless to say, I didn't get that 18 miler done. I forced myself to do another 12 the next day, though.
Therefore the longest run I did before the full was 16 miles 5 weeks out. During the full marathon, my goal was only to finish. I was strong and steady until mile 21. I then hit a wall and was fortunate to have a friend who jumped in to see me through the last 6. It was tough but I did it!
I know that with continued training and hopefuly fewer setbacks/injuries I can run future marathons better.
Sorry to have monopolized the comments with such a lengthy response - I just wanted to show that you shouldn't give up on that full in October just yet. You have many, many weeks to slowly build up your miles and prepare.
Smiles!
Sounds like a good idea to meet with a doctor! We all should be doing that!
You have enough time to train for a marathon even if you're not 100 percent right now. And it's a good idea that you're incorporating biking and hopefully swimming into your exercise routine. That will make you a better, more well-rounded athlete.
Preventive maintenance is so smart -- I totally encourage it lest you be crying later.
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