69 replies to this topic

[twosheds]

Don't worry - I would almost always have at least a niggle 3 weeks out from a marathon. last year it was my calf- swelled up hideously after my last long run, one before that was a foot injury, this year  the hip. Cant remember the others. Made it to all 3 marathons and ran well in 2 of the 3. The one I didnt run so well in I was wishing the foot would get sore in the event so I could have an excuse- but it wasn't the foot - it was just me and a bad day at the office.
so my point is - 3 weeks is  along time to heal up most things. I have found water running a great way to compensate without contributing to the injury.
Having said that- I think you are crazy to aim for a  time on the training you have done- but almost definitely think you will do it if you don't( despite your sore foot).
Good luck- the body has an amazing ability to heal itself.
twosheds

[MintCondition]

You can still hop around on your good foot this weekend!! Chances are it won't fracture. If every foot niggle turned into a fracture there'd hardly be anyone running. Being conservative has probably helped you though. When I get a niggle I'm pretty much the type to keep running on it and take a wait and see approach...in the blind hope it goes away after a while. I'm also the type that will never go to the physio unless it's an absolute last resort. In the past few months at various stages I've had had a complaining left ankle, left hip, right foot and right knee. Only the right knee (ITB) didn't just go away on its own after a few weeks. And my treatment of that was still all DIY and it's worked!! hehehe I'm like a model of what not to do according to a physio.

[wickl]

Thanks guys just tell me to tuffn up! Twosheds I don't really have a time aim, will just run at a pace that feels comfortable, definitely not going to push beyond my comfort zone until I hit 30km as I'm sure each of the 12 after that will be uncomfortable no matter what pace I'm at happy training this weekend all and remember when it's hurting you during your run keep pushing coz at least you're out there

[Running Angel]

Go see a physio and get an MRI so you know if there is any stress reaction or fracture now. At least then you will know what you are dealing with. If you continue to run and it is or does fracture, you will be in a boot for 6 weeks and potentially no running for 3-4 months. If the discomfort continues you need to know what you are dealing with so you can make an informed decision about whether to start the marathon. I say start cause chances are if it is a stressie you wouldn't finish (sorry to be blunt!)

Hopefully its not and everything will be ok

[wickl]

Yes I agree with u running angel...the physio has given a preliminary diagnosis of a stress reaction so I have been off it 3 days now and if not back better by Tues when I go back I will request an MRI.

My father was an ironman triathlete and ran through many bad injuries but now he is mid 50s and had had his right ankle fused twice and his left knee totally replaced so that's a bit of a reality-check as to how far to push if!

Saying that, I'm still positive and hoping to be there from start to finish in 3 weeks!!!

[TCMB]

Have been putting in the kms but have only had time for lots of 10-15km runs.
Took a day off work today to have a long run, was a great day here and ran a flat 35km.
Ran at 5:40 pace and felt good but could feel it getting tougher during the last 2 kms. Ended up being a +2min split.
No niggles, just a bit stiff and sore (better than after C2S). Don't think I will chance a run this long again so close in, but will get a couple of 25km runs in amongst a few shorter runs.

Feels like I have a marathon finish in me but am doubting it will be under 4hrs this time round.

Hope everyone's training is chugging along smoothly. Sorry to hear about the injury wickl.

[Running Angel]

TheyCallMeBruce, on 29 August 2011 - 07:44 PM, said:

Have been putting in the kms but have only had time for lots of 10-15km runs.
Took a day off work today to have a long run, was a great day here and ran a flat 35km.
Ran at 5:40 pace and felt good but could feel it getting tougher during the last 2 kms. Ended up being a +2min split.
No niggles, just a bit stiff and sore (better than after C2S). Don't think I will chance a run this long again so close in, but will get a couple of 25km runs in amongst a few shorter runs.

Feels like I have a marathon finish in me but am doubting it will be under 4hrs this time round.

Hope everyone's training is chugging along smoothly. Sorry to hear about the injury wickl.

If you can do a 35k training run at sub 4 pace then chances are on the day you will get your sub 4 unless you totally hit the wall! Good luck

[wickl]

Well done TheyCallMeBruce! You are in great shape - im sure you will be under 4 hours!

Im still out of action at least until Friday - its killing me not being out there. Definitely concerned about losing my running fitness now, even if the foot does heal up to run.

[wickl]

Good news-saw a different physio last night and not bone-related at all!!! Was a muscle issue and after a few jabs of acupuncture and some massage of trigger points it is AMAZING how my ankle/foot feels today!!! Staying off it for another four days but hopefully then can do a couple of short runs and make the start line.....and the finish line!!!

I'm worried 2 weeks off will have caused a loss of running fitness so all time goals are out the window and I just hope to finishy first marathon on sept 18!!!

[twosheds]

wickl, on 02 September 2011 - 11:36 AM, said:

Good news-saw a different physio last night and not bone-related at all!!! Was a muscle issue and after a few jabs of acupuncture and some massage of trigger points it is AMAZING how my ankle/foot feels today!!! Staying off it for another four days but hopefully then can do a couple of short runs and make the start line.....and the finish line!!!

I'm worried 2 weeks off will have caused a loss of running fitness so all time goals are out the window and I just hope to finishy first marathon on sept 18!!!

Consider it a blessing in disguise if it means you will not think about time  at all. It will make minimal difference to your fitness.

[MintCondition]

Great news wickl! I'm sure it won't make too much difference to your fitness, especially if you can do some other stuff like swimming in the meantime.

Just over two weeks!! Ahhhhhh

[wickl]

Thanks guys!

[wickl]

I just wrote a long post....but it doesnt seem to have loaded?!!

Anyway, in case it appears miraculously again, i wont repeat myself - just wanted to check in and say - YYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

3:58:57!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MintCondition]

Well done wickl! Top effort in that heat and everything considered. Glad you proved a lot of people wrong. I had pretty much the opposite experience (posted in the main thread), and did the last 25k's or so with a bad knee and two cramping legs! Managed to finish, but about 56 minutes behind you!!! You did the smart thing by getting your injury out of the way just before the race...I wish I'd done that!

[wickl]

Oh MC just read your post in the main thread-still a tremendous effort in those conditions!!! Well done!!!!

I think the cautious advice I got on this thread did me the world of good-I went into the race knowing I was undertrained so I was very focused on steady pace and hydration!

As for my time.....told u I was competitive and needed something to aim for-just scraped in with a minute to spare and that took a massive effort to run the last 2km at a much faster pace!!

I'm so glad we both finished our first ive said it's my last but this morning I'm already wondering about the next

Oh and I hope your knee is okay today?? Maybe get to a physio to get you recovered ASAP

[MintCondition]

Yeah the knee is a bit sore this morning, I know a physio who lives across the road so might ask her what she reckons. My instinct tells me it just needs a week or two of rest and is nothing too debilitating. I can put weight on it okay. The worst thing about it was that it completely stopped my rhythm and I think that's what led to my cramps. So annoying because I haven't had any cramp in training for ages.  

I felt really good at the 4 hour pace as well until my knee thing happened. I remember being really confident at 14k that I could do two more of those. Not long after, bang! I definitely have to do at least one more. No way I'm retiring with a 4:55. And haha given your experience you must be thinking that with a better prep and cooler weather you'd be a chance at 3:30 or so! Funny how two experiences at the opposite ends of the spectrum bring about the same thought to do it again.   

I can't help being a bit disappointed. But I thought going into it that if everything works out I'll do sub 4 hrs and be ecstatic, if I just missed out on that I'd still be happy, and if things went wrong for whatever reason and I had a bad day but still finished it'd make a good story. So I have a good story! Next time with any luck I'll have a good run and a massive PB.

[TCMB]

Congratulations WICKL. Massive effort given your lead-up. Well done on getting through the heat MC.

My race went very close to plan with a bit of a struggle through the mid 30 kms. Some training in the middle of the day was beneficial for me and running with a water bottle helped as I had water on demand to drink and wet the head.
Was a succesful first marathon for me with a 3:54 (+5min split). Must have been running pretty close to you WICKL for some of the way.

Other than being sore I think the body came through 100%. Definitely some more training needed before the next one, good to know what the 35-42km stretch feels like, no longer unknown territory.

[wickl]

MintCondition, on 19 September 2011 - 07:30 AM, said:

My instinct tells me it just needs a week or two of rest and is nothing too debilitating.  

Good to hear, hope you're right!!

MintCondition, on 19 September 2011 - 07:30 AM, said:

I felt really good at the 4 hour pace as well until my knee thing happened. I remember being really confident at 14k that I could do two more of those. Not long after, bang! I definitely have to do at least one more. No way I'm retiring with a 4:55. And haha given your experience you must be thinking that with a better prep and cooler weather you'd be a chance at 3:30 or so! Funny how two experiences at the opposite ends of the spectrum bring about the same thought to do it again.   

I can't help being a bit disappointed. But I thought going into it that if everything works out I'll do sub 4 hrs and be ecstatic, if I just missed out on that I'd still be happy, and if things went wrong for whatever reason and I had a bad day but still finished it'd make a good story. So I have a good story! Next time with any luck I'll have a good run and a massive PB.

Were you sticking with the 4 hour pacer? I found the pacers were running quite quick for the first 30km.....we actually were running BEHIND the 4:15 pacer for a lot of the way (we were aiming for even splits) but in the last 10-12km we overtook and went from there.

I dont think a 3:30 is possible for me!!! I feel a lot of my success was to do with the fact I was running with my own personalised pacer and a good friend! If i didnt have that there would have been many reasons to stop and/or slow down :-)

I think your achievement is still unbelievable!! You finished a marathon in tough conditions with an injury!!! If my leg had blown up i dont know whether i would have had the mental strength to carry on! Good luck with your training for the next one :-)

TheyCallMeBruce, on 19 September 2011 - 09:05 AM, said:

Congratulations WICKL. Massive effort given your lead-up. Well done on getting through the heat MC.

My race went very close to plan with a bit of a struggle through the mid 30 kms. Some training in the middle of the day was beneficial for me and running with a water bottle helped as I had water on demand to drink and wet the head.
Was a succesful first marathon for me with a 3:54 (+5min split). Must have been running pretty close to you WICKL for some of the way.

Other than being sore I think the body came through 100%. Definitely some more training needed before the next one, good to know what the 35-42km stretch feels like, no longer unknown territory.

Thanks and wow, a big congrats to you!! Fantastic time!! Yes i agree with the 35-42km mark..........and yesterday was just cruel considering that patch of the track was the most boring and HOT of the lot!! I didnt hit any type of wall that i thought i would, but my last 2km were tough despite the crowd, as we picked up about 40 seconds/km on our pace to make sure we got in sub 4!!

We must have been running around together for a bit of it! Next time (although i say today there's NEVER going to be a next time ;-) ) ill have to know what you're wearing to look out for you!

[MintCondition]

wickl, on 19 September 2011 - 01:01 PM, said:

Were you sticking with the 4 hour pacer? I found the pacers were running quite quick for the first 30km.....we actually were running BEHIND the 4:15 pacer for a lot of the way (we were aiming for even splits) but in the last 10-12km we overtook and went from there.

Yeah I was with the 4 hour pacers for those first 15k's...they were pacing for gun time, so I guess about 3:57 net time. The pace felt fine, the only problem I had was that they flew through the drink stations and I'd end up 30 metres behind them each time and then put in an effort to catch up. I think next time I run one I'm not going to bother with a pace group. Will start slow and build into it and just run how I feel. That's what I do on my own runs, and will run anywhere from 4:50-6:00 pace but I rarely have problems. I usually find in my training runs that my first 2 or 3 km's will be significantly slower than the next few without me really noticing an increased effort and that I very rarely go at the same pace for more than a few km's at a time. So who knows, maybe if I'd done that I wouldn't have had the knee problem or subsequent cramps (or had them much closer to the end).

I saw quite a lot of people with those v100 singlets. I'm sure one of them would have been you but I felt it would have been a bit strange if I called out "WickL" to all of them and upon a confused stare have to explain "sorry, thought you might have been someone I know from the internet" Will have to get one of these cool runner caps.

[wickl]

MintCondition, on 19 September 2011 - 02:11 PM, said:

I'm sure one of them would have been you but I felt it would have been a bit strange if I called out "WickL" to all of them and upon a confused stare have to explain "sorry, thought you might have been someone I know from the internet"

haha yes things like that can get you put in gaol thesedays