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Runner's Training Tips: time off during marathon training

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberhleepert
    • CommentTimeAug 30th 2008
     
    hleepert
    I am in week 12 of Hal Higdon's novice marathon training program.  This is the second time training for Chicago and although I covered the distance last year I did a great deal of walking due to the excessive heat.  I am awaiting a diagnosis on my knee which could be either a partial patellar dislocation or a bone spur on my knee.  I had been running through the pain but I skipped my 12 mile today and am wondering how long I can go without training and still be ready for Chicago on October 12th.  My longest run this year has been 16 miles and last year I did complete the 20 mile long run at about a 9 minute pace.  If the doctor says take two weeks off will there be enough training time before the marathon?
  2.  
    JeremyPrendergast

    hleepert,

    I am going to say YES!  Even with the walking on your last run, you will be surprised to see how time off may actually help (or at the worst, "lost fitness" will be minimal).  I am training for my 6th marathon.  Last year I had a rough training season on Chicago's Lakefront, it seemed like no matter how early I left in the morning, it was still hot.  Then the marathon, OMG!

    Anyway, I thought I had a knee problem and took 3 weeks off, I went to the doctor and she told me it was not a bone spur or a knee problem then sent me to a physical therapist. 

    It turned out my knee problem was from a tight IT Band and a simple 6 inch foam roller was the cure.  I was as good as new within a week, prior to that I thought it was the end of my training season.

    I did a 5 mile run in mid September, then three weeks prior to the marathon went right into the 20 miler.  It was tough, but I did it. 

    Due to the heat of the summer and the Marathon Day, I felt ript off.  A month later I flew to Harrisburg and ran that marathon (55 degrees was the high), I shaved 45 minutes off of my time compared to Chicago and only ran one 5 miler in between.  Never underestimate the power of the heat.

    Hot and Cold = Night and Day when it comes to performance.

    Good Luck!  Keep up the good work, I will see you out there on September 20th for the long one!

    Jeremy

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberhleepert
    • CommentTimeSep 1st 2008
     
    hleepert

    Thanks for the post Jeremy!  I am much more encouraged since reading it.  I will post back once I get my results from the ortho on Wednesday. 

     

    Lee 

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberhleepert
    • CommentTimeSep 3rd 2008
     
    hleepert

    So I am back from the ortho and have found that I have a torn meniscus, bone spur and bakers cyst on my right knee and an OCD in my left knee.  The doctor said I could keep training and he prescribed an anti-inflammatory and said to ice after each run.  Am I crazy to think I can finish my training and run the marathon on October 12th???

    Lee

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdoxeysmith
    • CommentTimeSep 11th 2008
     
    doxeysmith
    Lee, I don't think your crazy, but it's really something to think about. As it is you contacted a Dr. Do you trust the doc? If you have a good relationship and have leveled with him/her as to you goals and situation then trust em. Be sure to talk about the what ifs. What if I keep running, will I do more damage, or is the damage done and it's just a comfort issue, etc. If you asked questions like those, and got answers you thought were reasonable then do what you want/think is best. If you don't feel good about running, then stop! For pete's sake there's no shortage of marathons or other runs out there. Its not like this is your last (or only) chance. Assuming their is no dire consequence, it'll also feel xtra-super-cool if you do keep it up and accomplish your goal despite the odds. Hang in there, but be smart, you only get one set of knees. brooke
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberTXRR
    • CommentTimeSep 17th 2008
     
    TXRR
    "Torn meniscus, bone spur and bakers cyst" and the doctor says go ahead and keep running?  If I were in your shoes, Id get another opinion to be on the safe side.  Ask yourself what is more important....one more marathon or the ability to be running 10 years down the road? Respectfully, TXRR.
    • CommentAuthorFree Memberhleepert
    • CommentTimeSep 18th 2008
     
    hleepert

    Thanks for the comments!  To my surprise I have been able to complete all of my training runs including an 18 miler two Saturdays ago.  I have run 20 so far this week and have the 20 miler coming this Saturday.  The anti-inflamatory and icing routine so far are working well.  My knees are actually feeling better now than they were a month ago.  Up until the 23rd of August my cross training was slalom skiing three to four times a week but I have since cut that out of my routine and I am guessing that this has helped me out.  One reason this marathon is so important to me is that I am bringing 7 novice marathon runners with me including my brother, niece, brother in law and four friends from church.  I specifically asked the doctor if I was going to do additional damage that would put me at risk for future activity and he felt if I cut out the skiing and listened to my body that I would be okay.  If I make it through the 20 Saturday I will continue on and if not then I will have to drop out.  Thanks again for all the comment!

     

    Lee

  8.  
    gallegosrun

    Also worried--

    Did a 6-mile run a little over a week ago and started feeling mild pain on the outside of my right knee. Took two days off, then attempted my scheduled 23-mile long run. By mile 12 it was starting again, and by mile 14 I stopped running and brisk-walked another mile or two til that started hurting, too. Then I took a taxi home, discouraged.

     I've taken 8 days off, have iced, rested, eaten well, and taken NSAIDs. My first marathon is the 26th. I managed a 21mi. long run in Sept. (doing marathontraining.com's schedule) though seemed to suffer a mild case of hyponatraemia afterwards (quick weather change that week to cooler weather, too much water and too much water w/out electrolytes).

     I'm pretty sure I overtrained on my last shoes, so ordered a replacement pair (same shoe, which I love). I've seen that Higdon's training doesn't even require the 23 mile run, but if I switched, I'd need a 20 mile run in 1.5 weeks.

    Assuming my first short run tomorrow is ok and things proceed, will I be ill-prepared for my race? I'm getting really discouraged. Should I rest more? It doesn't hurt at all when walking, and even on that last long run, was fine for most of it. It started kicking in when stop lights made me start/stop often around mile 10. Each time I re-started it hurt worse.

  9.  
    julianparsons

    go see your dr about the pain. if on outside of knee, that is a common symptom for ITBS (google for an explanation). Basically one of your muscles in your leg is rubbing against the bone on the side of your leg and causing inflamation/pain.

    If it is ITBS, there is lots of advice out there... DON'T KEEP RUNNING WITHOUT SOME AID OR IT WILL GET VERY BAD!! most advice means taking a long time to recuperate, which is necesary, but won't help you get to the marathon finish line this time around (takes a long time to fix properly).

    however, there is a really simple solution to address the symptoms, and to stop it worsening (for me it was a total solution). buy an elastic bandage that is firm but not too constrictive at about an inch above your knee (in the UK we have a product called tubigrip). You might need to adjust a little to get it in the right place. Fold it so you have 4 layers of the bandage at about one or one & half inch width. That should put enough pressure on the ITB to stop it rubbing on the bone. That stops the aggravation, and reduces inflamation, and in turn stops the pain.

    There is a product described here:

    http://fitnessproductsplus.com/ecom.asp?pg=products&specific=jokpdqh4&gotogrp=5&gotopgnum=1

    I bought a set of these but found they pulled the hairs out of my leg and rolled at the edges making them uncomfortable for me. Lot's of feedback suggests that it works for others.

    Anyway - after my knee totally locked up, this worked a treat for me. I didn't lose any training apart from when I was researching a solution and I completed all my races with no problems at all.

    Good luck!

     

  10.  
    billbradski

    GET OFF HIGDON AND GET ON LYDIARD.

     

    PERIOD.

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