MARATHON RUNNING HELP

trocma30

Hey everyone,
I'm at a point where I need to make a critical decision. But first, a little background...I'm a 21 year old female currently in training to run my very first full marathon, which is May 18th. I ran 2 half marathons in the past, along with plenty 10k's and 5k's
and loved it. I wanted to challenge myself, not only physically, but mentally. I was extremely excited to sign up for this marathon, and started my 18-week training plan in January. It felt great at first, and I was enjoying it. Had minor shin splints (always had problems with shin splints), but compression sleeves were working well and I was due for new shoes so that helped out too, for a while. Then came the polar vortex crap and had to do half of my training in subzero temperatures (hate treadmills) and I did miss several shorter mid-week runs over the course of a month. Then, about 7 weeks into training, shin splints came back. I decided to rest and ended up missing a long run (12 miles) but then continued on normally with training. The following weekend I ran 13 just fine and felt great. Now I am in my 10th week, and I could barely do my short mid-week runs. I log all my runs, and noticed my average pace has significantly dropped in the last several weeks. I've developed pain in my ITB, particularly outside my knee, and it's starting to bring pain to my hips. Also, my shin splints came back and they are so bad it hurts to even walk. There's a constant ache in my legs, and I feel like I never fully recover between runs. I did 4 miles today and had to walk half of it because my legs just couldn't do it. I'm supposed to do 15 miles this weekend, which will be the farthest I have gone yet. Needless to say, I'm absolutely dreading every single long run because of all this pain I'm in and the fact that I couldn't even do 4 miles today. I'm extremely discouraged and am starting to think I shouldn't do it....I could always switch to do the half, but I was so emotionally invested into this and excited about it, it breaks my heart. I feel defeated and like I failed at something I so badly wanted to accomplish. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm so torn right now.

Tillyecl1

Awwww, poor thing. I know how hard it is to be looking forward to an event like this, especially if you've been training for it. It's a difficult one to give advice on too because I don't know exactly how you feel in terms of pain. That said if you are feeling pain and dreading your runs then those are not good things. Especially dreading the runs, you sound like you used to find running fun and now the love is gone. That combined with the pain would lead me to have a think about if now is the right time to do the marathon. It sounds like you are really suffering. I know it's hard but there will be other marathons. Maybe sit this one out (or do the half if you're comfortable with that), give yourself a break and some time to recover properly and then train for another one.
I totally feel your sadness and frustration but sometimes our bodies just won't co-operate, I think a rest and maybe some shorter runs will do you the world of good, help you get the running bug back and set you up nicely for whichever marathon you chose (you'll get there eventually, but in the mean time be kind to yourself, even the best athletes miss races as a tactical thing when they don't feel their best :-))

minnie116

Hi,

I really feel for you. When I was training for my first marathon 5 years ago now I got a stress fracture in my foot which put paid to my training only 2 weeks away from the race. I'd logged a long run of 20 miles. Earlier on in my training as I started to extend the distance on my long runs I noticed a niggling pain but decided to ignore it which was the worst thing I could have done.I obviously had to pull out after seeing a physio and having an X-Ray done at the local hospital.

I've since gone on to run a marathon last year which I completed successfully in 4.55 and loved it :-) and I'm currently training for a marathon in October. Like yourself I'd run lots of Half Marathon and 10K races before.

My advice would be to stop running if the shin splints are still there and to go and see a physio. The physio should also look at your running shoes so take them with you and advise you on whether they're the right shoes for your running style. When I trained for my 2nd marathon I went back to the physio for advice and was given an insert for my runners as I run towards the outside of my feet apparently. It sounds like your running shoes aren't appropriate for your running gait if it's a recurring problem. Also, all the specialist running shops have their own gait analysis machine to assess your run and how your feet are hitting the floor in order to give you the correct shoe.

Don't be disheartened by your pace ....I have days where I feel on top, top form and other days when even 4 miles seems an effort. It sounds to me like you need to take a step back and have a break and in the meantime go and see about your running shoes. I use Asics for my running style and have done for 15 years now...they do lots of different variations according to your running gait - Great make.

Good luck and you can get through this!! xxx

eldamiano

Dont do it then. You are not a failure because you cant do it.

minnie116

p.s. I've just noticed that you said your marathon is May 18th. The main thing is don't run if you're not physically ready - there'll be others!!
xx

st_scrivener

The advice I've read everywhere is NOT to run if you feel any discomfort that bothers you. If you're experiencing pain that bothers you enough to consider switching from a full to a half marathon, for the sake of safety, do it. A half marathon is still really ****ing amazing, and you can always train to beat your PR for that. There're always future marathons to do. Thinking of yourself first isn't failure; it's smart.

I'm really sorry.

Tribonian

I feel your pain- I had to scratch my first attempt at a marathon due to shin splints and I was very emotionally invested. Went to a sports therapist who prescribed several strength exercises to correct my stride and I haven't had shin splints since.

Running with a minor injury often leads to major injury over a long route.

If you are still really invested, I'd recommend (based on nothing but my own flaky anecdotal experience) substituting low impact endurance workouts like swimming, elliptical trainer, and cycling to maintain and improve your cardiovascular fitness and working in lower body and core strength training. Keep your lungs and heart healthy enough to support a 4-5 hour effort and try to strengthen your legs in time. On your runs, try to do short loops in a park or a route that keeps you close to transit so you can stop running at the first sign of discomfort and get home easily. Save any heroics for a race day, not a training run. Aggravating your shin splints (or any other injury) now will preclude any possibility of completing a pleasant marathon.

As others have pointed out, there are lots of great marathons. I waited 15 months from my first scratch to first full marathon. It is hard to wait but probably emotionally harder and physically more detrimental to log a DNF after 20 miles. Good luck!