Injured + Sick = Marathon Fears

[DisneyPiPhi]

I haven't posted on here much during marathon training, but I'm getting very stressed out. Our training was going well until November when I had knee problems. Physical therapy with a fellow runner got me back on track, but we missed both our 20+ mile runs because I dropped out of the first at 14 with knee troubles and had to scale back the second to 16 on the advice of my PT. Everything is good with the knee, but I was looking forward to testing it on our 20+ miler last Saturday...

...Which was the day I woke up at 3:30 AM with a sore throat! Plus, it was pouring rain here in Sarasota. We scrubbed the run and had planned to try again on Monday the 27th. (We are all teachers and off work.) I usually bounce back from colds really fast and figured I'd be over it by Wednesday. Well, here it is Saturday and I'm coughing like a mad woman.

My fingers are crossed that I can still do the long run, but as it stands, I haven't run in 9 days. Being too sick to run is not my idea of a good taper. I am very worried that having no runs over 20 (our long runs were 16, 17, 19, and 16) and having all this time off due to knee injury and sickness isn't going to bode well on marathon morning.

 

[Maddykins06]

Right there with ya!
My longest run was 17 miles due to ITB issues which I am still dealing with.
Coach Charles says we'll have enough fitness in reserve to get us through & I am believing in that & my own visualization of crossing the finish line.
We CAN do this! Anywhere else maybe not, but I am a firm believer in Disney magic (& my own stubbornness to make it)!

YOU CAN DO THIS!

 

[cewait]

Most definitely. You have enough in the training basket to get through the marathon easily. Your mission is to follow your training taper and to get well. It's ok to run when you are having issues above the neck, but not below. Just keep that in mind as you work through the next couple weeks. Race day head off on your normal training pace and enjoy the day. The course will be new as compared with your training circuit and that will help make the miles float by. Make sure to take in the prks as you go through. Even for a veteran it is easy to not open up and let the parks take hold.

Just understand that on race day you will start to feel the cap of your training miles around 3-4 miles past your longer runs. So somewhere around mile 19 or so you will starst to feel the legs com pain a little. Even if you made a 23 miler, mile 20 will start to feel a little bad.

If it is any help I have not mad a long training run further than 16-17 miles since before 2005
Take in the day and make sure that you experience the race.

 

[jmasgat]

Go into the race with a strong, positive attitude--it is probably just as, if not more, important as a strong, healthy body.

I had miserable runs of 18 and 20 for my first marathon (2010 Mickey). Come race day, I didn't feel entirely 100%, so I just tried to adjust my expectations accordingly. For me, that meant not killing myself to try and break 4 hours. My race wasn't the prettiest in the world--I felt sort of crummy from mile 15 on (blisters--never had em in training the way I did in the race)--but I made it through. I made some late on-course decisions to include 1 or 2 additional "water/walk" breaks, and I gutted it out. And I didn't miss 4 hours by that much.

So my story may not sound like all roses, but the point is you can do it with the right mental attitude and the right set of race day adjustments.

Good luck.

Maura

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Focus on getting well. Race day you will do fine. You may not PR, but enjoy what you have. Remember you have trained, find the fun!

 

[danyella522]

right there with you. Ive been sick and before that I was busy with finals. I'm afraid I haven't trained enough. Praying for a Disney miracle to finish!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

right there with you. Ive been sick and before that I was busy with finals. I'm afraid I haven't trained enough. Praying for a Disney miracle to finish!

for you!

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm going to the urgent care today because things don't seem to be getting any better.

 

[crewmatt]

Focus on getting better, you'll see no physiological gains from any workout once your 10 days out from the race. the mental side sure. I'm in the same boat, cold knocked me out for about a week. Trying to get back in the swing of things.

At the start line take it easy, watch your technique, soft on the feet. Its surprising sometimes how much having a crowd of people around you to steady your pace and encourage you can be. Oh and take it easy. Seriously till you're in Hollywood Studios just relax and enjoy the run.

 

[slp1650]

Attitude is everything. Coming from a D1 swimming background as a distance swimmer, our coach always told us it's 10% physical and 90% mental... same goes for running.

Focus on getting better and then get out there and have fun!

 

[gowensby]

I'm in the same boat. I've been doing well until I had an ITB issue. I'm learning to stretch better. A runner friend is going to supply KTape. I'm nervous as can be. I lost 50 lbs and this is something I need to do as a hurdle.

 

[FFigawi]

I'm in the same boat. I've been doing well until I had an ITB issue. I'm learning to stretch better. A runner friend is going to supply KTape. I'm nervous as can be. I lost 50 lbs and this is something I need to do as a hurdle.

Here are some yoga poses you can do to help your ITB issues.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Thanks for those yoga poses for the ITB!
(FFigawi, what is your Avatar?)

I did my first (and only, so far) Half in September, and the ITB was crucifying me the last 10km or so.... I didn't know what it was, and basically did the last 10km at a fast swinging leg walk!

Did a few yoga classes here, and plan to take in some more over the winter... never liked the thought of yoga before (the breathing thing!), but so many runners here advocate it to enhance your running.

 

[gowensby]

Thanks so much!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

An update from me, the OP...

I went to the doctor on December 26 and was told I have bronchitis. I started antibiotics that day and basically went on bed rest all week. (I am a teacher and had the time off.) My husband bought me a Nook to keep me occupied.

I was feeling better and coughing less, but now that I am back at work I notice how run down I am. I tire very easily. I am getting a sub tomorrow so I can rest before going to Disney on Friday - I don't normally hire subs when I just feel a little sick, but when the Disney Marathon is on the line, I take no chances!!

I am taking NyQuill and drinking lots of hot tea, eating my fruits and veggies, and taking my multi-vitamin. I should be good to go on marathon morning!

 

[jmasgat]

Allison Here's hoping with a little more rest....and some pixie dust..you feel great this weekend. Good luck!

Maura

 

[disEAR]

Right there with you. My attitude is I can do this! I can do this! I've stopped caring about what time I place and all I care about at this point is finishing. Think positive! You'll be okay.