Okay, so we normally do our long runs on Fridays. Well, the forcast is predicting a 90% chance of rain on Friday...and a 60% chance of rain on Thursday. So basically, the girls have decided to move our long run to TOMORROW. (We all have plans for the weekend with it being Easter, plus I have tri practice on Saturday, so the weekend is out.) Mind you that I didn't even do my 4 mile run yesterday because I still don't feel recovered from Friday's 10. On top of that, since this is our last long run before St Louis, one of the girls wants to run 12 instead of 11. I'm really starting to have reservations...
I was okay about it earlier today. I made arrangements for my oldest daughter to get picked up from the bus stop tomorrow so I can go run after work. I've had it in my mind all day that I'm running 11 miles tomorrow (we haven't made a for-sure decision yet about the 12).
Well, I went to the gym after work to do some training for my triathlon. I was going to have a light day of just 8 miles on the stationary bike, and 2 miles on the treadmill. I did my 8 miles on the bike, got over to the treadmill, and only made it through .6 mile of agony. My left calf and right hamstring are NOT feeling good at all. My knees are also not in the best shape. I quickly got off the TM and came home. I took some naproxen and I'm about to use some sports cream on my muscles....but I'm wondering if it's been enough time since my last long run to go ahead and jump into another long run.
Now, here's my dilemma: St Louis is in 12 days. The girls I'm running with are doing their final long run tomorrow, with or without me. I'm not sure I can handle a run this long by myself....so if I don't run tomorrow, I probably won't do an 11 mile run at all. And if I don't, will I truly be prepared for the half marathon having not ran further than 10 miles by race day?? What do I do? I'm afraid of pushing myself too hard and ending up injuring myself. But I'm also wondering if I'm just being a baby and psyching myself out? I'm so torn....
*EDIT* I just got off the phone with Kristen, one of my running partners. I think I'm just going to start pushing the water like crazy tonight and make sure to just stretch really well for the next few hours. I have yoga tomorrow too, so that will help. I'm going to make sure to eat really well tonight and tomorrow and make sure to take a naproxen in the morning and again right before the run. I'm also going to take some sports cream and just pray that I can make it through the 11 miles. If I can make it through, I get a 10 day break from long runs before the race. If, at any point tomorrow, I start to feel REALLY bad, like I just can't run anymore, I'll call it a day. But I feel like I have to try.
Oh, and I'm also nervous about having to get up at 4:45 the following morning to work rather than sleeping in and recovering. I will definitely have to figure out an outfit that does not involve HEELS for both Thursday and Friday. That will be tough since I pretty much only own dress shoes with heels and long dress pants intended to be worn with heels. In fact, I better go figure all of that out right now.
WISH ME LUCK!!! And if you have any advice on how to get through all of this without injury, please share!!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009: muscle conditioning, 8 mile bike, .6 mile run <--lame :\
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7 comments:
good luck girl!!! just make sure to listen to your body and not push through too much pain. if it hurts (injury hurt) then stop. sounds like you have the right thoughts... eating well, hydrating and stretching. hope it goes well!
I don't really have any advice, as you know your body and its limits better than anyone. I think if you attempt the run on Thursday and your body is screaming no, then definitely don't carry on. You've worked so hard and I would hate to see you not able to run the half marathon because of an injury. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't push yourself in that long run if you feel any pain. The reality is that you are inside of two weeks at this point, which means that nothing you do now will help your endurance for the race. Your body won't assimilate the training in time to benefit you in a race only a little more than a week away. All you can do is damage the base you have built. It's much better to get a lot of rest if you are nursing an injury so you have the maximum amount of healing for the race. It's not about 'toughing it out,' it's about training smart. Most of us have unfortunately learned these lessons the hard way (especially me!) Good luck!
Okay, I have only done 1 half marathon, last spring. While training for it, the longest run I did was just under 10 miles, and that was a few weeks out. I think you would be fine with just 10 miles under your belt, if not, maybe try a couple 6-8 milers within the next week. Just my two cents. Just don't beat yourself up over this 12 miler run if you decide not to do it with the others. And make sure to listen to your boday! (I agree with what Chad says as well.)
After reading your post and your apprehension, I don't think I would do the long run. If you were spent after todays smaller run then tomorrow may not be a good idea.
You know most half plans call for a 10 miler as the longest run.
Don't be a hero and push too much tomorrow, Listen to your body.
Good luck! I am excited to hear how it goes.
I am the same way about running mileage - if it is supposed to be 11, and I have been planning for 11, it throws me off when someone says, "let's just do 12!" - especially if they don't bring it up until mile 10.
But at the same time, I think if you only ran 10, you could find it in you to do that extra 3.1. What is 3.1 after 10 miles? Just another 5k!
Seeing how close the 1/2 is, it's better to take care of your body in my opinion, than to push through pain. It's what I'm doing now. If your calf hurts (mine is going on 10 days now, still hurts) do the elliptical tonight, it is so much strain on your legs to do those outside. I did the elliptical that doesn't have the arm movers and set it on interval for an hour at a time. That worked pretty well, I concentrated on making a big effort while doing it as well.
And ICE and STRETCH. Yoga will be good, I've been going about 3 times a week and I think it is helping the calf issue. Oh and I never did more than 10 miles before my first 1/2 marathon and finished just fine. You will be okay no matter what now :) AND YES, AVOID THOSE HEELS!
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