BrindleRun wrote: »

A little background I’ve been a distance runner for years. Track and XC in high school, XC in college, last year I ran a 10 mile race, 2 half marathons and a 25k trail run. I got tendinitis in my left foot and took some time off to heal. I started training for the marathon in January following the hal higdon marathon novice 2 training program. I ran almost weekly runs on the treadmill and longer runs on a soft trail. I thought I would feel strong and ready but I feel slow, weak and injured. I have some discomfort in my left foot again but it’s not as bad as the tendinitis was. Marathon is in 3 weeks. I’m hoping I’ll feel better after tapering?

I'm not sure if I understand... you were running "almost weekly" - does this mean you were running less often than once per week? Or are you saying you were actually following Higdon's plan and your shorter runs were treadmill while longer were dirt?

If you have been able to keep up with Higdon's plan, what has your pace been and what is the cutoff time for your race?

While I'll acknowledge I've asked a lot of questions, the answers to those questions are not likely to change that I think you can finish anyway. It is just a question of how long it takes and how strong you will feel.

As to tapering? Personally, I'm not a fan. Some swear by it and others (like me) find that we become de-trained very quickly. You might have a good idea for you based on your prior experience, though.

I really think you will be fine. I've only been running for a few years and have had plenty of ups and downs during that time. I've completed races when I felt weak, when I was weak; and while struggling to remain conscious in a couple of races. I believe you will finish and will boast a decent time also.

If you took some time off and then jumped into marathon training, I'm not surprised that it is feeling pretty hard. You did a big jump in mileage from zero to 40+ mpw. When training for a marathon, the miles you do the six months before the race make a big difference in the outcome.

Feeling as you do at this point in training is not unusual. I did a marathon in March (#5) and I could not wait for taper to begin because I was so tired from the hard training. Everything hurt. I did feel better on race day, thanks to the three week taper. Look into getting a good massage. Your whole body is probably pretty stiff from the ramp up in mileage. If you were able to do all the runs, you should be okay on race day. You won't be as fast as you would be without the break in training but you should be able to finish.

Before my first marathon, I was dealing with a hamstring strain. I wasn't sure I could finish the race. During the race, it never surfaced. Other things hurt (quads especially since it was a hilly race) but the injury I was worried about had gotten enough rest to see me through.)

I don't know. But I wouldn't like to start a race that long with any actual pain.
I'd suggest keeping your options open. If you still have pain at the end of your taper, consider waiting for the next marathon. Or start the race with permission for yourself to stop before the finish line if the pain starts getting worse.
Good luck.

It seems very normal to feel tired and doubtful at the beginning of taper. Hopefully you'll feel better before race day, although for me the fears/nerves get stronger until the gun goes off.

excellent - well done.
Have you signed up for the next one?