My body is falling apart!

Paddys Wigwam

I am running the Berlin marathon. Id say over the last 5 weeks I would have 3 X 2hrs runs (approx 16miles), 1 X 2hr 20min ( 18miles) and did 1 X 2 hr 40 min (21miles) at the weekend.

I was hoping to try and push for under 3 hrs for the marathon but I think the closer I get the less realistic that becomes. I still hold out a bit of hope though.

Im under 4 weeks to go now, so the plan is do one more long run at the weekend (dunno about distance but Id like to get 3hrs into my legs as the times I have done so far aren't long enough..) and then taper off. Problem is my body is starting to give out to me pretty badly now. I have had to take ibuprofen for the last few days as knee and Achilles are starting to swell up. I have been getting massages alright and use foam roller regularly too. I to go for a fartlek run today and had to stop after 5 mins. My body just feels broke up (and that’s after a rest day Monday). Pretty pissed off about it!

Have you any recovery or training tips – any good EPO dealers out there . Any opinions on how realistic a sub 3 hr marathon is would also be appreciated

Mr Marri

Sounds like you might be over doing it and could do with a break for a couple of days. remember this is a hobbly so you should be enjoying it :eek:. over training is a slippery slope and only goes one way, down! so take it easy and see if you can get some mojo back.

BeepBeep67

Mr Marri wrote: »

Sounds like you might be over doing it and could do with a break for a couple of days. remember this is a hobbly so you should be enjoying it :eek:. over training is a slippery slope and only goes one way, down! so take it easy and see if you can get some mojo back.

Freudian slip

ecoli

Paddys Wigwam wrote: »

I am running the Berlin marathon. Id say over the last 5 weeks I would have 3 X 2hrs runs (approx 16miles), 1 X 2hr 20min ( 18miles) and did 1 X 2 hr 40 min (21miles) at the weekend.

I was hoping to try and push for under 3 hrs for the marathon but I think the closer I get the less realistic that becomes. I still hold out a bit of hope though.

Im under 4 weeks to go now, so the plan is do one more long run at the weekend (dunno about distance but Id like to get 3hrs into my legs as the times I have done so far aren't long enough..) and then taper off. Problem is my body is starting to give out to me pretty badly now. I have had to take ibuprofen for the last few days as knee and Achilles are starting to swell up. I have been getting massages alright and use foam roller regularly too. I to go for a fartlek run today and had to stop after 5 mins. My body just feels broke up (and that’s after a rest day Monday). Pretty pissed off about it!

Have you any recovery or training tips – any good EPO dealers out there . Any opinions on how realistic a sub 3 hr marathon is would also be appreciated

Hard to give advice without a bit more background.

Whats you running background? Whats your weekly mileage? What does your usual week look like in terms of training (and how many days do you train?) How long has your marathon build up been. What are your times for other distances

This close to your taper will be hard to make too many dramatic changes to your training but main thing I would advise would be to try and pull back a bit and hopefully remain a little undercooked and hopefully a three week taper will be just what the doctor ordered for repair

Mr Marri

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Freudian slip

Marthastew

I am so happy I read your post, well obviously I am unhappy for you but am glad that I am not the only one who feels exhausted....

I have enjoyed the responses, particularly the one about running being a hobbly:)

I've been following p&d 55mile 18week schedule and up until this week I've managed more or less to stick to the schedule, this week I've cross trained instead as I am exhausted and shin splints are starting to kick in. I plan to do my 11miler tomorrow and resume the plan if all goes well.

I'm assuming it's just because we're coming to the end of training that we're so tired but I know exactly how you feel; it would be great to feel as fit and strong as at the beginning of training. At this stage we need to make it to the start line uninjured and feeling optimistic, missing a few days training may well have an impact on time but it would be disastrous to mess things up at this stage.

Take it easy for a few days, good luck!

Paddys Wigwam

Thanks for the advise everyone.

I have been off my feet since last Tuesday and the physio has advised that I should pretty much keep away from running until the marathon in 3 weeks (bar perhaps 1/2 runs beforehand).

He recommended cycling/swimming as a way to keep up my fitness but I am worried that the time out from running will kill me come marathon day.

Any advice or people who have ahad a similar situation and could give some advice would be much appreciated. Which is better to keep the legs active - running/swimming or crosstrainer?

RubyK

Would you try aqua jogging? It's supposed to be very good for keeping your fitness levels up.

PVincent

Tapering is one of the most difficult aspcts of the marathon training . You are tired ,so the physio is right, you need rest and recouperation to allow yourself to arrive at the start line reasonably fresh. Focus on what you HAVE done rather than on you HAVE NOT done. Stay postive and ditch the thoughts of a sub 3hr marathon . Not because you cant do it , but purely becaue its the wrong focus . Focus should be on running to the best of your ability on the day and enjoying the day. If you focus on time and suddenly its a windy day , or you wake up with a cold , the mind is immediately placed into negative mode and you start the marathon behind the black ball. If its to be , it will happen for you ...you have done plenty of training ,so train the brain so that you have the mental capacity to face down the tough challenges that Berlin will bring ...

if you can get hold of it a brilliant book 'Marathon Running for Mortals ' is a terrific read , especially the chapters that are about preparing , strategy, and tapering .

Good luck in Berlin...You can run a good marathon..Just believe in yourself

cwgatling

Not trying to give medical advice, just some perspective:
I would get a second opinion if I was you. 3 weeks off before racing a marathon does not sound like good advice to me. If you need 3 weeks off running, the last thing your body needs is a race of 26.2 miles as the first run back.

What did he say the problem with the achilles was? Why not take some time out/reduce intensity and reschedule?

neilc

cwgatling wrote: »

Not trying to give medical advice, just some perspective:
I would get a second opinion if I was you. 3 weeks off before racing a marathon does not sound like good advice to me. If you need 3 weeks off running, the last thing your body needs is a race of 26.2 miles as the first run back

Agreed, the lead up to my first marathon pretty much sounds the same as the OP, didn't run a mile in the 3 week taper as a result of injury. The marathon turned out to be a world of pain. In hindsight I just shouldn't have run it. I just didn't want to give up the dream of the marathon after putting in so much work. Being a little further down the road now in my own running life I'd like to think I'd be able to make the tough decision as hard as that may be. Not saying what you should do but as cwgatling said, just some perspective.

Paddys Wigwam

Right, both my achilles are still fairly sore but I tried some aquarunning and it seemed to be ok.

I have developed a plan with my physio to try some cardiowork that wont stress my achilles. The plan is below and is matched to the previous one I was folllowing for running. For the runs ill stop if I feel any pain.

Any comments are greatly appreciated!

Wednesday
7th September
10 mins Warm up, then 6 x 3min, 2mins between reps, 10 mins warm down
1 hr, x-trainer. 8
Thursday
8th September
6miles easy, inc. a few strides
45mins, bike.
Friday
9th September
Rest
1 hr, aqua running.
Saturday
10th September
Warm up, then 5miles at marathon pace, then warm down
2 hr, bike
Sunday
11th September
Race 6-10miles or 10-12miles steady
try 20 mins run
Monday
12th September
5miles easy
30 mins, aqua running
Tuesday
13th September
6miles steady
1hr bike
Wednesday
14th September
6mile fartlek, inc. 10x1min fast
30 mins, aqua running
Thursday
15th September
5miles easy
1hr bike
Friday
16th September
Rest
rest
Saturday
17th September
Warm up, then 3miles at marathon pace, then warm down
1hr cycle
Sunday
18th September
10miles steady, in your racing kit. Practise your pre-race routine
20 mins run
Monday
19th September
Rest
rest
Tuesday
20th September
30mins steady, inc. 6x1min fast
30 min aqua running
Wednesday
21st September
20mins easy
20 min cycle
Thursday
22nd September
10mins jog, then 1mile at race pace, then 5mins jog
20 min aqua running
Friday
23rd September
Rest
rest
Saturday
24th September
20mins jog, inc. a few strides
stretch, 3 min jog
Sunday
25th September
RACE DAY
Marathon