With 10 days until the Frederick Half Marathon

[wvjules]

I have been advised by my doctor to NOT run. He said he strongly discourages it. I have been having horrible low back pain consistently for the past 2 weeks. I've always had lower back problems but now it is getting worse. He has ordered an MRI but in the meantime I am now on Celebrex, have a TENS unit, lidoderm and flector patches and have a back brace.

Now, I was more of a shuffle/run before so the transition shouldn't be too difficult but in the next 7 days I need to become a speedwalker and be able to finish a half marathon in 3:30. They actually CLOSE the finish line! lol

I have not done any running or walking for 2 weeks. My back still hurts but I HAVE to get out there for the next 7 days with 10 miles on the weekend. I do not want to do more than that and risk not being able to do 13.1.

Any tips? Do I need different shoes or should I stick with what I know? Any advice is appreciated.

BTW, since I have started running I have seemingly gotten broken regularly! I'm supposed to be getting better DANGIT!

 

[verticalchaos]

I don't have a lot of advice, but... Did your doctor approve you even walking it?

 

[wvjules]

I don't have a lot of advice, but... Did your doctor approve you even walking it?

Yes, I got the green light to walk it, well yellowish-green light. The running really jars my spine but he said walking it should be ok but that distance will be tough, especially if I am still in pain. I will just cover myself with the lidocaine patches and hope for the best! lol

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

No advice just hugs. I would be tempted to not participate and wait for the MRI results

As long as your doc approves of the walking, do your best and find the fun. Try to not stress about your time. 3:30 is a 15 min pace. Not knowing what your pace was previously, it will be hard to determine how you will do.

Make your best effort to remember to use your arms efficiently and swing more to the back and not so much across the front of your body. Eliminating that twisting may give you a bit more forward motion and help keep you moving straight.