I've been thinking and thinking all week, and would like some input if people feel liking giving it. I was training for a marathon, but got a little injury this week. Now I'm scared to hurt myself again. So I've been trying to decide if I want to jump back in and try to complete my full marathon training, or if I should cut back and just try to complete a half.
I am really torn. I know come marathon day, I'll be a little disappointed that I'm not doing the full, only the half. Also, I think part of the marathon experience is to push through when your feeling pain, tired, and soreness.
I'm sure I'm just totally scared and should just get over myself, but I do have a friend who would train with my for the half which is a bit compelling. Am I just looking for someone to tell me it's ok to give up?
I don't know, I just can't make up my mind. Please help.
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I think one thing I'm realizing is that I'm not sure if my body is designed for these super long distance runs.
My sister said she didn't have any pain at all when she was training. So maybe her body is just more designed for it.
Well it depends-what's been the miles on your longest run so far? How long will it take to recover from your injury?The marathon is 8 weeks away so if you feel like you can recover and push through on your miles I say go for it!
I absolutely know the feeling of disappointment of not getting to participate in a race-but I also know the disappointment of not running a race the way you thought you would b/c of lack of training,etc.- so you have to weigh those options as well.
I would err on the side of doing the full-because the feeling of missing out on a race stays with you until you *are* able to do it. Good Luck!! You know whatever you decide you'll totally rock it!
My maximum is 10 miles, but I started late and I'm 57 -- so given that I haven't done a marathon I can't speak to directly to the half/full marathon.
BUT in general -- it depends on the injury. How serious, how painful, how permanent. Hobbling around for 10 years after the marathon because of injury is just not worth it.
Second, what's wrong with the accomplishment of a half? Have you done one already?
Third, are you training on pavement? or the gravel/dirt on the Trinity path?
Are you reading Runner's magazine (or running books) for tips?
Those are my thoughts but most of all -- good luck whichever you decide.
not to sidetrack here-Francis, which is better running on the pavement or the gravel at the Trininty Trails? I see most runners running on the gravel-but I run on the pavement because I'll be running on pavement for the Cowtown.
PS. Becca, if I won't slow you down I'll be happy to go running w/you sometime.
I basically have two injuries, the first is what I believe is either bursitis or hip tendinitis. I've had bursitis in my hip before so I believe this is going to be a constant issue. However it will be there whether I do the full or the half, I figured that would be a manageable injury. Cost of being a runner I guess.
The second one is the one I am most concerned about.
I pulled my hamstring. It is not an injury that will last forever, but how long is enough time to heal, and how much training will I lose in the mean time. As Josie mentioned the marathon is 8 weeks away. Will I be able to recover. I'm not very knowledgeable on how long hamstrings take to heal, but I do know that if I push it, it will be an injury that keeps coming back.
Josie, I've heard running on gravel is better on your joints. The book I am reading suggested any soft surface over pavement. I have tried to do some of both. I think it does help to be familiar with the type of surface you'll be doing the race on, but it's also about repetitive motion.
I haven't done a half before so there is no shame in doing it, except feeling a bit like a quitter.
I agree with Melinda on talking with someone . . . Josie: the guys from the Fort Worth Runners Club don't run on the concrete which is the hardest surface to run on. I do see them run on the "gravel/dirt" at Trinity River. "Black top" or macadam is softer than concrete, by the way. The rule, as I have been told, is to train on the softer surfaces most of the time. If you are a frequent runner and not 18 or younger hard surfaces are hard on the joints.
It all really depends on you and how it all feels. If it were me, I'd lay off a few days and then build back up. Don't take two days off and then try and bang out 10 miles. What you could always do, is sign up for the whole marathon, train like you're going to do it and then make the judgement call when the track splits. In Nashville we split at mile 10 or so, so that gives you some time to decide day of. Plenty of people do it here. Finishing is an accomplishment, but you don't want to feel like you could have done it all and sold yourself short.
I'm a fan of city running myself which is all asphalt and concrete. Pam got me a Garmin GPS watch last year and it really makes runs more fun because you just kinda wander. I get bored running tracks and paved green ways. But that's just my $0.02.
No risk no reward
Injuries stink :-( From the experienced runner...give it a rest for a few days and see how it feels. I like the idea of waiting until race day to see how you feel, then decide if you want to do 13 or 26.
PLEASE don't feel like a quitter! If you haven't ever run a half before, then it is still an accomplishment :-)
And I also highly recommend trails for training, if you can get on them.
--Rachel
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