As you are aware I am in the middle of training for the Publix Georgia Marathon, which is just over a month away now. I was behind on the training for the marathon when I committed to run it which we will not go into right now, and so I am in desperate need to build my mileage and build it fast. I am an avid believer that building your mileage too fast will set you up for injury, something I am very in tune with and trying to avoid each day.
I have already decided that I will not be trying to set any records at this marathon as there will be plenty more to come that I can go for the next PR at. I instead am going to use a very conservative plan to get me across the finish line, happy and injury free. I am sure there are many of you that don't understand running a race if you don't aim to better your time and run your best race possible, but I also know there are many others of you out there that fully understand that sometimes we have to make the call to be wise and not fast, which still has the same ultimate goal of running your best race possible.
Running to win is not always translated as running fast, sometimes slowing down and running smart is the only way you will truly win the race.
You see, I could go out and keep pushing the mileage and try to get to the starting line ready to pull out my next sub-4 marathon, but doing so will almost certainly cause me to pull something much more painful long before ever getting to the starting line at all.
I had gone through all the trouble of dressing for the 27 degrees this morning, and walked out to my starting point. Only moments later I find myself walking back home after less than a tenth of a mile. I wasn't in so much pain that I couldn't run, but my thigh was sore enough that I knew running the 4 miles I had planned would make it worse and not better. I am not injured, but rather just at that level between sore and injury. I know the feeling is more than just a little "let's go run through it sore" This feeling is more of a "you have been building your mileage a bit too aggressively" sore.
If I am smart I can avoid injury and still make it to the starting line injury free. Times like this morning are critical in that quest, even though all I really wanted to do was run.
What are your thoughts?
Good call. It can be frustrating not being able to get that run in but it is better to be on the safe side when the marathon is knocking at your door.
ReplyDeleteI agree- very good call. I had a similar situation and I always called it quits when I was getting that feeling. However, I was not so lucky. The real set-in of my injury happened during the San Antonio Marathon. I'll save you all the details... Just be careful. This kind of injury can come up fast- boo!
ReplyDeleteYou did the wise thing. It can be difficult some times but think long term is the way to go. I run many races as training runs, including a marathon this Sunday. It will be my long run for the week and a LSD run as well.
ReplyDeleteYou made the right decision!
ReplyDeleteYou made the right thing. It is frustrating to do have to turn around but it will pay off in the long run.
ReplyDeleteYes! Back off and listen to what you just told us. I regret with every fiber of my being that I did NoT back off when I should have! Do it!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay don't get too excited when you read this. You've won. Love it, hate it, ignore it. You do what you want with it!
ReplyDeletehttp://amberwrites.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-would-like-to-thank-members-of-press.html
Tim,
ReplyDeleteThe Publix Marathon needs to be a long run and not a race, so you're in the right mind-set. Your training needs to reflect this, no taper, no hard workouts, just easy, 'form-focused', running. After all, with less than five-weeks until the marathon the likelihood of gaining any noticeable fitness is almost out of the question. What you can do, however, is improve your efficiency and become more comfortable with the amount of time you're going to be running. As far as the, "I am not injured..." Not the case. You don't have a severe injury, but it sounds like it's definitely altering your stride and it's noticeable enough you called this mornings run off. My advice, keep the mileage low, ice the area as much as possible (2 - 3 times a day, 20 - 30 minutes), and get outside and walk. No need to be completely stationary; in fact, not doing anything may even lengthen the amount of time it takes to recover. If your planned run would have taken an hour go outside and walk an hour, as you get warmed up you may even find that run-walking is possible. Also, start implementing some strengthening exercises while you're recovering: lunges, squats w/o weights, double-leg hops, single-leg hops, etc. This will help build muscle, tendon, ligament, and bone density to help reduce injuries like this.
Sorry about the sore thigh.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the words of encouragement and suggestions. It is not always easy to stop, but many times it is what causes us the most trouble.... not knowing when to do just that... stop.
ReplyDeleteTrey - thanks for the information and suggestions! You are right, I should call it what it is, an injury. It is one I would run through 98% of the time, but this came up last week as well but hurt worse then. A couple days off last week and the pain was gone. That was the reason I stopped today, there is no reason to keep it injured, regardless of the extent of the injury, it needs to heal and running on it when it felt the way it did this morning is not smart. Thanks for the time you took to write this out! I may be in to see you shortly for some replacements for my 769's!
Good call, but it's so hard to do it. I'm still learning how to listen to my body and when it's my body talking vs. my head.
ReplyDeleteUgh. Since I got injured last year, I am so paranoid about it. So I know how you feel!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carlee and Kerrie!
ReplyDeleteOh, no! Be careful!
ReplyDeleteYes! Back off and listen to what you just told us. I regret with every fiber of my being that I did NoT back off when I should have! Do it!!!
ReplyDelete