Pre marathon niggle

Slogger Jogger · 30-08-2010 6:45pm #1

Hope the mods don't see this as medical advice (be nice guys). Its like the offside trap.. you need to give the forward the benefit of the doubt some times.

5 days from marathon in Dingle. Did my last long-ish run yesterday of c. 15 miles. Went fine. Afterwards the right calf muscle was tender, so iced it. Never had calf muscle problems before so no experience of dealing with it.

Did 6 miles this evening and calf muscle was very tender. Hurt at times to run. Icing it now and its sore. Soak in bath in order shortly.

What to do with 5 days to go? Tempted to do nothing for the last few days - rest, rest, rest. And it'll be alright on the day but open to ideas.

Not running on Saturday isn't an option

Oisin11178 · 30-08-2010 7:05pm

Id rest it until the day before and try 2 or 3 miles then.

racheljev · 30-08-2010 7:16pm

Very tight, sore calf here. Just finished massaging with tennis ball, stretching it out, then massage again. It's helping... kinda...

RacoonQueen · 30-08-2010 7:19pm

Massage and stretch. There are some self massage videos on youtube, tennis ball or foam roller on it would be as good as self massage.

BeepBeep67 · 30-08-2010 7:40pm

Give it a rub down followed by an Epsom salt bath to draw out the toxins - on the day give it a good lash with Tiger Balm after your warm up - if it's in pain during the race and is not easing - STOP and live to fight another day.

donothoponpop · 30-08-2010 7:55pm

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Not running on Saturday isn't an option

Hopefully you'll be ok and won't have to make this choice, but if it's still hurting and you do run... that's the kind of bull-headed arrogance that'll keep you hobbling on a damaged calf for 6 months while your South Wicklow training partner goes from strength to strength...

Slogger Jogger · 30-08-2010 8:22pm

Cheers guys. Think my target race next year will be a masters hill race in Italy. Think of the carbs (and the wine)

BeepBeep67 · 30-08-2010 8:29pm

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

Cheers guys. Think my target race next year will be a masters hill race in Italy. Think of the carbs (and the wine)

Dingle isn't half bad - think of the Guinness <preempted mod snip for advertising> Stout and music.

heffsarmy · 30-08-2010 11:24pm

I'd rest it up for the next few days, I find wearing long compression socks helps alot when I get sore calfs. I'd wear them during the marathon also if I were you to give you that bit off support too the calf. Anyways good luck with the run.

TheRoadRunner · 30-08-2010 11:34pm

If I were you I'd have to run on it a couple of times just to make sure it's on the mend and not too serious. I know that sounds counter productive but a few easy jogs on sift ground will tell you a lot. If it's dodgy Friday pack it in. Easier said than done I know.

I find a heat pack and stretching pre run followed by stretching and ice post run a big help for me.

Krusty_Clown · 31-08-2010 6:58am

Surprised that this is the first mention, but I'd suggest you go to a physio and get a sports massage. Physio can also help diagnose the niggle. They will also put your mind at rest or give you the hard advice. Could be the most important 50 quid you'll spend this week. Pm me if you want a recommendation for a solid/no bull physio in the South Dublin area.

Peckham · 31-08-2010 7:48am

If I was in that situation I'd rest Tuesday and Wednesday, and then run Thursday (2 miles) and Friday (4 miles). Real easy stuff - Thursday session on soft ground, and Friday session mixing soft ground and road.

I'd also be getting it professionally seen to for a massage or alternative solution (acupuncture, dry needling - whatever it takes).

Hope it works out for you SJ.

Patrick_K · 31-08-2010 9:05am

Completely agree with Krusty.
You've done all the training for a marathon and not running isn't an option so spend 50 quid on yourself and get it treated by a professional.
If it's just tightness a good massage could do wonders for it.
You'll at least know where you stand and that peace of mind is worth the money alone.

Best of luck
PK

ultraman1 · 31-08-2010 9:47am

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

open to ideas.

HTFU

Slogger Jogger · 31-08-2010 10:47am

ultraman1 wrote: »

HTFU

lol

Peterx · 31-08-2010 11:12am

rest up until the marathon, you need to be rested either way?
An Italian masters race in 2011 is also one of my goals for next year:)

Maybe ask Jimmy Synnott to give you a massage tonight or tomorrow night en route home from work, he's very good and sorted out a a very similar tight calf before race problem for me - it was just that, a tight calf (for me)

Slogger Jogger · 31-08-2010 1:54pm

Thanks for the feedback guys. Was onto physio. Session booked in for tomorrow. No running today. Very light stretching advised. We'll see tomorrow.

@Peterx. The way the masters is evolving we'll need a trial race to get a team

I was looking at the results. Some great times with the older categories. Theres quality in those old legs.

geld · 31-08-2010 9:29pm

Plenty of icing between now and when you see your physio and see what they say. I have found this a great help. After a few days I have had a few sessions of ice packs followed by a hot water bottle. I find that alternating between hot and cold helps.

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

@Peterx. The way the masters is evolving we'll need a trial race to get a team I was looking at the results. Some great times with the older categories. Theres quality in those old legs.

This is where the talent is at the moment. Plenty of "masters" who would put a lot younger runners to shame.

Slogger Jogger · 02-09-2010 5:36pm

I haven't run since Monday and feel all the better for it. A physio session was helpful too. As I sit here carbo loading I'm no soreness so roll on Saturday morning and a good weekend in Dingle, Daingean or whatever its called at the moment

TFBubendorfer · 03-09-2010 8:03am

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

I haven't run since Monday and feel all the better for it. A physio session was helpful too. As I sit here carbo loading I'm no soreness so roll on Saturday morning and a good weekend in Dingle, Daingean or whatever its called at the moment

It's Dingle/An Daingean Uí Chúis, nice and easy.
Great news, now load up and enjoy your little training jog tomorrow

. Look around you to admire the scenery - it's absolutely stunning.

Abhainn · 03-09-2010 8:13am

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

I haven't run since Monday and feel all the better for it. A physio session was helpful too. As I sit here carbo loading I'm no soreness so roll on Saturday morning and a good weekend in Dingle, Daingean or whatever its called at the moment

Thats good news. What a place for a long run:). Enjoy

Slogger Jogger · 05-09-2010 4:52pm

4 days of rest and one pair of compression socks later, marathon done. Faded in closing stages but pacing for 3:30 was then in the good hands of Aaron who took the pacing group.

Magical place to have a race and a great vibe around the town. Respect to those that finished all races but particularly the Ultra - a colossal achievement.

Pre marathon niggle

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