1/2 marathon in one week and not ready.
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My philosophy is don't mess with back injuries. I understand how disappointed you must be. I had to bail out of a Spartan race earlier this year. I'd trained for solidly for months and got sick in the days before it with a chest infection. I was super bummed but I couldn't breathe properly on the couch let alone carrying a sandbag up a hill coveted in mud in winter. It sucked I couldn't race with my team but that's life. There's always another race.
It's possible you could do intervals the whole way and be fine. Or you could do more significant damage that could sideline you for months or years. It's your call.
Eek ya that's what worries me, wouldn't want to be bed ridden again. I have 3 small kiddos that won't let me rest, even during my time where I was unable to walk, I had to crawl around the house cause I had no help with kids and I'm sure that Played a part as to why recovery took longer..0 -
3dogsrunning wrote: »There is swag? Well of course, run it! (just kidding)
Not that it matters, 100% of the races I've entered this year have zero swag.
It's the OP's first half. I get that as motivation. I doubt the swag has anything to do with it.
I get the whole "challenge" thing, I really do. I do best with a HUGE, hard to achieve goal. There is a time to push yourself, there is a time to play it smart. I've had under prepared races where I finished, while feeling totally and utterly crushed (I do not recommend). I've had beyond miserable races I've pushed though. I've also had back pain. I don't mess with back pain.
I would vote, like most of the others, that this is the time to play it smart and not do it.
Heck.ya. There's a.finisher medal and tshirt. I don't want to miss that!!! Plus free food
)
Well. The more I read feedbacks, the more I think it's probably better to sit it out. I can't deal with another injury. It was far worse then labor and ive had 3 kids!!! My youngest is 9 months old so I definitey haven't forgotten it lol0 -
ephiemarie wrote: »I ran my first half in May and dealt with lower back pain (disc compression/SI joint issues/spasms) for the final month leading up to the race. I had twice weekly chiropractic adjustments, did tons of stretching, bought an inversion table and used it religiously, and kept running as much as I could handle. Although my chiropractor strongly advised against it, I did the race anyhow.
Because my training had been somewhat sidelined by back pain, I didn't have enough practice with fueling and hydrating on long runs and ended up essentially bonking around the 10th mile and doing run/walk intervals for the final 5K. I had done a couple 10-13 mile runs in training but not enough to really figure out how to push past the wall. After the race, I was incredibly frustrated with my performance and didn't feel that awesome sense of post-race satisfaction. Because I didn't allow my back to heal properly, my gait changed and I developed IT band issues and recurring knee pain and dealt with those all summer.
In hindsight, I regret pushing myself to run that half. My performance was disappointing and I ended up with other injuries I could have avoided had I listened to my body and my doctor instead of my stubborn heart.
OP, since you're conflicted enough to pose your question on this forum, I believe you already know the correct answer but don't really want to accept it. Perhaps it would be helpful to register for a different half taking place a few months from now.
I keep swaying my answer. A week ago I was saying no I am not going to do it, this week I'm feeling better and I feel like I might go for it but it's probably not a good idea. The more responses I read the more it sways me back to "No don't do it". I'm going to pickup the packet Fri and decide Saturday night. I.may just do the 10k cause I'm pretty sure I can handle it. I've been doing a lot.of 5-6 milers and other then the fact that I'm.slower than before, it hasn't bothered my back. I took the plunge and did a run/walk 8miler, I'm feeling pretty good so far but my last spasm didn't come until 2 days after my 9milers racepace run. Big mistake doing that one racepace and I jumped from 7 miles to 9 miles without adding intervals to build up
i guess we live and learn. But I definitely appreciate your input and experience. Very similar to what I'm dealing with 0 -
Did you injure your back in the first place from running? (If so, then your answer is already clear: don't do the event. Go cheer instead.).
Yes my injury was caused from one of my long runs, I was running on adrenaline rush and did too much too fast and couldn't walk for a week and my lower back is still tender 3wks later.
Ya my head is.telling me no, but Im having a hard time accepting that answer.
Ok that puts proper perspective on things. Your injury was as a result of a training failure / over-exuberance which resulted in a serious injury with significant impact on your life. There's no reason to believe the outcome will be different next weekend given the underlying factors are all exactly the same, but worse -- you've already suffered, and recently, an injury!
Seems like you know what to do. Wait for another half. Train for that properly, scale up, avoid injury - you'll have a much better experience. Save your Half Marathon Virginity for the right date, not just "any" date.
Take it easy, get fully well! We wouldn't want to lose you as a runner forever!0 -
My philosophy is don't mess with back injuries. I understand how disappointed you must be. I had to bail out of a Spartan race earlier this year. I'd trained for solidly for months and got sick in the days before it with a chest infection. I was super bummed but I couldn't breathe properly on the couch let alone carrying a sandbag up a hill coveted in mud in winter. It sucked I couldn't race with my team but that's life. There's always another race.
It's possible you could do intervals the whole way and be fine. Or you could do more significant damage that could sideline you for months or years. It's your call.
Eek ya that's what worries me, wouldn't want to be bed ridden again. I have 3 small kiddos that won't let me rest, even during my time where I was unable to walk, I had to crawl around the house cause I had no help with kids and I'm sure that Played a part as to why recovery took longer..
You had to crawl to take care of your kids, still are in pain, and you really wonder if it is worth it? Rest. There will be other races.0 -
Did you injure your back in the first place from running? (If so, then your answer is already clear: don't do the event. Go cheer instead.).
Yes my injury was caused from one of my long runs, I was running on adrenaline rush and did too much too fast and couldn't walk for a week and my lower back is still tender 3wks later.
Ya my head is.telling me no, but Im having a hard time accepting that answer.
Ok that puts proper perspective on things. Your injury was as a result of a training failure / over-exuberance which resulted in a serious injury with significant impact on your life. There's no reason to believe the outcome will be different next weekend given the underlying factors are all exactly the same, but worse -- you've already suffered, and recently, an injury!
Seems like you know what to do. Wait for another half. Train for that properly, scale up, avoid injury - you'll have a much better experience. Save your Half Marathon Virginity for the right date, not just "any" date.
Take it easy, get fully well! We wouldn't want to lose you as a runner forever!
Agreed.0 -
Just walk, like many of the others.0
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Just walk, like many of the others.
Or, you know, actually rest your back and do another race. It takes awhile to really recover from that type of injury and it doesn't sound like she's been able to properly rest it. Walking 6 miles isn't going to be doing her any favors at this point. Rest OP!
And maybe see a doctor if you haven't? From experience with back injuries, it's better to be safe than sorry.0 -
I was in exactly the same position last year. I had an overuse injury and I did back out of my first half marathon. I ran one a couple of months later and this was a good decision as it took me without the race over four weeks to get pain free.0
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I got an injury several years ago when trying to run my first half marathon. I walked the 5k fun run instead. After that, I made the decision walking or running in a 5k every year was a good thing. For me.0
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Don't let ego supercede sensibility here. Say you finish the race, but somehow injure yourself badly enough that you probably can't do it again? I've worked with people to rehab injuries due to "warrior" mentality instead of listening to what your body is telling you. It's not the end of the world and there will be many many other races. Why go into it at only 50% of your capability anyway?
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Listen to the folks with letters after their name like ACE, NASM, MD, DO. If your doctor, nurse practicioner or healthcare provider says lay off and do another run later, I say go with that. Granted I do not know the extent of your injury etc but if you haven't been able to train, you WILL get hurt on the run.
I didn't follow my training plan as closely as I should have and was able to finish my first ever half marathon (but was hurting) and that was without any injuries. Don't screw with your back because it can become a life long nagging pain that does not get better and makes daily living difficult. I've seen that (as ninerbuff, an MFP moderator, mentioned).
Be careful and take care of yourself. Listen to qualified people with real experience rather than those with anecdotal evidence about how it could work out just fine. Don't want to be harsh with you but also do not want your exercise and running lifestyle to negatively change long term either.0 -
Eek ya that's what worries me, wouldn't want to be bed ridden again. I have 3 small kiddos that won't let me rest, even during my time where I was unable to walk, I had to crawl around the house cause I had no help with kids and I'm sure that Played a part as to why recovery took longer..
That is the only thing you need to think about when considering running. What happens if your probably not fully healed injury gets injured worse this time....?
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Here's a thought. I'm with the others who say skip this race by the way. The mental toughness that comes with running is when you must step aside and recover, with the confidence that you will run another day.
A setback is not the end.0
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