6 days and in the midst of the biggest freakout yet...
Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, but have I mentioned my marathon is next Saturday and I am in the middle of an INJURY?!!! Yup, it's that damn hamstring again. I just ran for the first time since 20 miles over Labor Day weekend and, well, let's just say it didn't go the way I would think a person less than a week away from running a marathon would expect a short run to go...
Thank goodness I have that orthopedic sports medicine doctor appointment on Wednesday to calm my nerves, but besides that, what can he really do? It hurts. Bad. And I've been following the ice/heat/stretch regiment like it's my new religion.
So again, I beg and plead for advice. I mean, I guess I could run the marathon in pain the whole way, but I'm thinking, that little 4 miles I just ran hurt really bad, what's it going to feel like after say14 or 24?
posted by Stephanie @ 11:19 AM
12 Comments:
Speaking from an injury myself I think it's probablly best to save the freak out until after the doctor's appointment. Until then, do what you can do. Ice, stretch, medicate, and think positively.
If it were me I would race with the pain. I'd start practicing now with mental imagery and motivational type things. Whatever ammunition I'd need to get through.
Remember everything you put into training for this race, remember what it means to you, remember how much you want it.
But that's just me. When the decision comes you'll know what to do.
Thank you Jeremy. I'll run this race no matter what, but am not too thrilled about the pain...
I can't believe it's so close, Stephanie. After reading your blog all this time, I really wish I could be there in KC to cheer you on!
Take care of yourself and try not to freak out too much (easier said...I know). You can do this. I know you can.
You have to ask yourself - and more importantly, your doc - if running with the pain will do further damage. That may be a factor in you final decision.
Jeremy's advice to save to freak out until after the doc appt. and to keep up the icing, etc. is spot on perfect.
I'll be sending my positive ju-ju (vibes) your way!
i am sending positive vibes your way too. hopefully the doc has good news!! i like the running chicks advice on the further damage part.
I have a radical suggestion, but I hesitate to suggest it until later in the week cuz maybe it will seem like i'm giving up on you recovery, which I AM NOT...on the other hand, maybe it will help with current freaking out?? So anyway, feel free to disregard, and I know this was definitely NOT in your plan
(omg, enough caveats already!) here is my suggestion: you can run/walk. You can finish in a decent time by run/walking and and not invite further injury.
And anyway, every single thing i've read has said that the only goal for a first marathoner should be to finish ...
And maybe you won't need to use this method, and you'll be better by marathon day. I'm HOPING! But I'm with running chick about the wisdom of running through the pain. Ask doc first, of course,.
Anyway, if you want to chat more about run/walk, write me:
mccannjl@mindspring.com
Add my "feel better" vibes to the list!
Dianna mentions the one major point. Make sure from the doc that you're not going to cause any further problems. It's not worth pushing through this one if it will harm you. (Especially if it will end your running career or something crazy like that.)
Anyway, that's all I'm going to say about that now. Obviosuly, we're all pulling for you, and we definitely want you to run this race.
Feel better soon!
You are so close to your run and do I understand it correctly that you are feeling real pain from your ham strint after four miles?
My advice would be to listen to the doc on Wednesday. I have a friend who tried to push through his injury and complete his first marathon on schedule. It cost him a year on crutches and almost two before he could start seriously training again.
Why not join us in Vegas in December instead? :)
I hope the doctor gives you some positive news and this pain just magically goes away after one of your icing and stretching sessions. Stranger things have happened. Stay positive. Your readers are behind you all the way.
Oh Steph! A big hug from DC. I have no advice, but previous commenters seem to have good thoughts. I'll have my fingers crossed that the doc gives you the go ahead on Wednesday--and that the pain goes away.
ohhhh stephanie!!! if taking your hammy pain and adding it to mine would allow you to run this weekend... i so would!!! i hope hope hope it gets to feeling better. i'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!!
hey steph
i join the others in sending along positive vibes. i too had doctor's appointment the wed before my marathon. first doc (non sports doc) said not a good idea to run. sports doc said runnnig would do no permanent damage so my decision was made. i used aleve before and during the race. i was in minor pain the entire race. no, neither medication nor pain is ideal. neither was the 6 weeks that followed without any running due to itb pain. and id do it all again. so ya, listen to doc, see how it goes.
but i would add...if doc says not to run, why not ask about running a dec 4 marathon in, say, vegas?
good luck, girl, let us know how it goes!
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