How soon is too soon...?

savlyon
savlyon Posts: 474 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I ran my first half marathon two weeks ago. I just found out about another one in 4 weeks. I haven't stopped running, but I have slowed down a lot compared to the few weeks prior to the half, largely due to an injury sustained by the training. I REALLY want to run this one...is it too soon? Should I wait awhile? I'm afraid it will get too cold after mid October...

Whatcha think??

Replies

  • JennLifts
    JennLifts Posts: 1,913 Member
    if you're not injured, it's not too soon.
  • PBmaria
    PBmaria Posts: 854 Member
    It's totally doable. How much do you run in a weekly basis? How long are your long runs?
    The key here is to NOT get injured so you have to make sure 4 weeks is enough to rest from #1 and start up again for #2.
  • savlyon
    savlyon Posts: 474 Member
    I'm down to 10 miles per week tops, but I have been increasing weight lifting, cycling and swimming. Instead of running I have done the elliptical as well. I want to do another half next May for sure, and am really considering training for a triathalon. I'm obviously still in shape to run 13 miles. This injury is a sore calf muscle (or something?!!?!) that has hurt for about 6 weeks now. It hurts when I run, or anything with similar impact. When I take ibuprofen the pain completely goes away until I run again. I took ibuprofen pre run and was able to run the half with zero pain.

    I think I'm going to do it.... it's around a lake...in October. It will be amazing!!
  • JAllen32
    JAllen32 Posts: 991 Member
    I think you can do it! You are not out of running shape, and I think its plenty of time between. Sign up!! You'll do great!! Good Luck!
  • mollymoo89
    mollymoo89 Posts: 202
    I wouldn't push it with the injury because you could wind up just making it worse. But you know your body the best.
  • Choltor
    Choltor Posts: 65 Member
    First off, congrats on the half-marathon! I've started running again myself, and with luck won't be too far behind you...

    So with this injury, it sounds a bit like what used to happen to me when I was younger...I would overdo it, and get muscle strains which would sometimes last several weeks. Anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) made the pain much better, but just temporarily. The only real cure was to rest those muscles as much as I could.

    What I would do in your situation would be to train lightly to give the best chance for recovery, and see how you feel on race day. Covering up the pain with ibuprofen during the race might make further injury more likely, though.
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