Marathon Training Dilemma

az2wp0sye65487

I'm wondering what I should do....

I'm due to run a 22.5km long run today as part of my DCM training plan (I'm in week 7 of the Hal Higdon 18 week training plan).

The problem is that I may have picked up a small injury during the week. My knee felt slightly strained on Thursday, and got very stiff that night. It felt ok all day Friday so I decided to go out on it again. But I had to cut Friday's run short because I could feel it starting to get sore again.

I did nothing yesterday, and it felt great all day. But when I moved certain ways I could feel a faint hint of the strain.

So I don't know if I should do my long run today and risk injury; or rest it and miss out on some vital mileage!

What to do???

G-Money

I'm very inexperienced when it comes to running and athletics but in the small amount that I've done, I've picked up a few niggling injuries here and there. The most recent was when I was when I'd completed a day on Couch to 5k. I decided later on that day to go out for a 3 mile walk or so. Then the following day I went for a 7.5 mile walk and during that walk I could feel one of my knee's start to give me some grief. I rested the following day but then the day after that, went out again to jog and walk a bit and that's when the injury came on. I ended up with quite a sore knee when walking up and down stairs and even on flat ground it was sore enough.

I went to the physio and it turned out not to be anything serious but it kept me on the shelf for about 2-3 weeks.

I remember thinking to myself if I'd only just taken heed of the niggle that day after the 7.5 mile walk and rested a few days, it might have not got worse.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, if it's still giving you trouble, my advice is to rest for a few days. Better to miss a few days than a few weeks.

Although there's probably a lot more knowledgeable people on this forum than me who can advise you too.

rainbow kirby

If you had to cut Friday's run short, I would skip the long run today and get thee to a physio just to get it checked out. Best to get these things sorted sooner rather than later.

az2wp0sye65487

grandmaster wrote: »

I'm very inexperienced when it comes to running and athletics but in the small amount that I've done, I've picked up a few niggling injuries here and there. The most recent was when I was when I'd completed a day on Couch to 5k. I decided later on that day to go out for a 3 mile walk or so. Then the following day I went for a 7.5 mile walk and during that walk I could feel one of my knee's start to give me some grief. I rested the following day but then the day after that, went out again to jog and walk a bit and that's when the injury came on. I ended up with quite a sore knee when walking up and down stairs and even on flat ground it was sore enough.

I went to the physio and it turned out not to be anything serious but it kept me on the shelf for about 2-3 weeks.

I remember thinking to myself if I'd only just taken heed of the niggle that day after the 7.5 mile walk and rested a few days, it might have not got worse.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, if it's still giving you trouble, my advice is to rest for a few days. Better to miss a few days than a few weeks.

Although there's probably a lot more knowledgeable people on this forum than me who can advise you too.

It really hurt when I was walking up the stairs to bed on Thursday!

jmdsk

Sorry to jump on board, I have a question like that as well but at the same time I might answer yours.

Was following a program all going well up until 3 weeks ago. Was up around the 13 mile mark.

Then I felt a little strain in the groin, rec fem area (think i adjusted the saddle on bike to far forward and restricted movement) but kept on running. The last 3 weeks I have ended up not running.

So If I was you I would get the leg checked to be on save side. For the sake of 1-2 runs.

And here lies my question. I hope to get the all clear this week so could I rejoin the program I was following after missing 3- 4 weeks or would that be pushing the mileage a bit much for this years DCM?

G-Money

Louie Acidic Peroxide wrote: »

It really hurt when I was walking up the stairs to bed on Thursday!

Yeah, my knee was very very sore when walking up and down stairs the day after. To the point where I was having to lean on the hand railing to take the weight off my leg on that side.

If you're really concerned, go see a physio. But at the very least, I reckon you should rest up.

RacoonQueen

Louie Acidic Peroxide wrote: »

It really hurt when I was walking up the stairs to bed on Thursday!

Sounds like it could be ITB related - more biomechanical than muscular anyway. You could try a short run today and see how you're feeling, if it hurts quite a lot from the get go - give up and go home. Plenty of stretching and a visit to a physio. It's not harm to miss a LSR at this stage, you've plenty of time.

neonman

Pain while walking up or down the stairs sounds like runners knee to me. Rest, keep the knee up and ice it and go to a physio.

If you push it to much you risk a worse injury that will keep you out for longer.

Perkina3

Yeah it definitely sounds like your IT Band.... I have just come through that problem in the last couple of weeks. Putting ice on it will help alright but ur best bet would be to go to your gym and get a couple of stretches....

I was told the hip flexer was good and there is another but I can't remember the name of it!!!

Yeah I am having a nightmare period for training...missed my LSR in week 5 cuz of the IT band problem and missed this weeks cuz of a stomach bug.. I am going to try make up this weeks one tonight....

It wouldn be too bad but I am away with the army and on holiday for the next 2.5 weeks so running opportunities are going to be limited. Its my nightmare scenario cuz I planned to use the holiday to rest before hitting the larger LSR's...now I need to bring my gear with me and keep up training albeit a little reduced

az2wp0sye65487

OK so i rested it all weekend, and Monday too. Felt great!

My schedule had me doing a 6.5km run lastnight - which I did. Generally there were no problems until about 5 mins before the end, I could feel the niggle again. I kept going until I got home.

Did my stretches (including an IT band stretch) when I got home, jumped in the shower and then sat down to dinner. After dinner I sat with my legs up on the sofa to relax for a while... when I went to move again I was in agony!!!

Iced it for a while last night before bed. It was sore all night and then sore again this morning. Still a little stiff to walk on today. A friend of ours is a physio so she's gonna take a look this evening.

I'm entered in the 10miler in the Phoenix Park next Saturday, and am determined to do it!

dna_leri

Louie Acidic Peroxide wrote: »

I'm entered in the 10miler in the Phoenix Park next Saturday, and am determined to do it!

If the 10 miler is your goal race then you probably will want to do it, if on the other hand a marathon is your goal race you will probably want to take your physio's advice so you do not get a more serious injury and risk your key goal.

ectoraige

I was out of training for about six weeks due to knee strain. I only started running in April, and started getting knee pains when I started increasing the miles. I thought I could get away with easing back on the miles for a few weeks, how wrong was I. The pain persisted everytime I went out, so I took a short break and looked into buying better runners. I ended up ordering a pair of Kayanos and when they arrived I'd been off for two weeks so I was excited to get out again after a two-week break. I could instantly feel the difference, unfortunately I really lost the run of myself and did a training PB. Following day my knee was worse than ever. :rolleyes:

I learned my lesson, and found some knee strenghtening exercises. I started doing these and restricted myself to weekly cross-trainer sessions in the gym. After a few weeks of this I started running again, short distances on soft surfaces, and wore a knee-brace. That lasted a few weeks, I've since returned to the roads, and have ditched the brace. I still apply an ice-pack as a preventative measure after running, and have continued the strengthening exercises.

With regards the 10-mile - if you're not fit for it, skip it, as it's not what you're training for. My wife and I did the 5(4.9) mile both with chesty coughs, and ended up having to taking a further two weeks out from training on antibiotics as we developed bronchitis.

Your training has to match your fitness level - if you're risking greater injury, you're doing it wrong.

az2wp0sye65487

OK, so I got some physio done last night. It was sore at the time, but when I woke up this morning my knee felt brand new!

So I've to rest it for a few days before even trying a short easy run. It seems to be IT band related, but I was also told that both my legs were very tight all over generally. So a bit more stretching to be done.

I was also recommended to get a proper gait analysis done... Must look into that!

ectoraige

Louie Acidic Peroxide wrote: »

OK, so I got some physio done last night. It was sore at the time, but when I woke up this morning my knee felt brand new!

So I've to rest it for a few days before even trying a short easy run. It seems to be IT band related, but I was also told that both my legs were very tight all over generally. So a bit more stretching to be done.

I was also recommended to get a proper gait analysis done... Must look into that!

Yeah, that's what led me to getting the Kayanos although I didn't get it done "properly"; I went into two different Elverys and both people came to the same conclusion, so I figured they might be right. I assume the physio also advised you to forget about the 10-miler?

az2wp0sye65487

ectoraige wrote: »

Yeah, that's what led me to getting the Kayanos although I didn't get it done "properly"; I went into two different Elverys and both people came to the same conclusion, so I figured they might be right. I assume the physio also advised you to forget about the 10-miler?

She didn't advise against it as such... but she didn't recommend it either. I'm gonna rest up for a few days, be more conscious of my stretching - and see how I get on by easing myself back into it. If I feel good by the time the 10 miler comes round, I want to do it!

Jacky08

I was at 15 miles in my Long run - spent the last three weeks out with a calf strain - just hope I can get back to that distance by the end of August - have done two 6.5miles runs this week with no after effects but at a reduced momentum - injuries are a pain - I'm taking advice form colleagues at work who have experienced running for Ireland at marathon distance and they assure me that I'll reach DCM no problem -- I'm not so confident

az2wp0sye65487

Jacky08 wrote: »

I was at 15 miles in my Long run - spent the last three weeks out with a calf strain - just hope I can get back to that distance by the end of August - have done two 6.5miles runs this week with no after effects but at a reduced momentum - injuries are a pain - I'm taking advice form colleagues at work who have experienced running for Ireland at marathon distance and they assure me that I'll reach DCM no problem -- I'm not so confident

Best of luck with it... I feel your pain!