Marathon Training Thread

[bluegoose]

Three days till race day, and I'm starting to worry. I was supposed to run 8 Saturday, but I got busy and ran it Monday instead. I tried to run at pace, and failed miserably, coming in at about 30 seconds over race pace. My right quad and shins were sore from the run when I woke up yesterday, and still sore today.

I ran four yesterday and about 10 seconds over pace, but the last mile I was struggling to keep my HR under 172. My heart rate was 65 this morning when I woke up, which is 10 beats higher than it was three weeks ago, and I've been running mor than enough to stay in shape.

In short, I'm really wondering if I'm in good enough shape to run this thing isub 4 Saturday. I'm going to relax Thursday and Friday (maybe even take a nap Friday PM) and hope that I can load enough carbs to pull through. Also, I'm wondering if I should start taking a 7-day course of prednisone for my shins, since they're a little sore. Thoughts, suggestions?

Sorry about the timing of all this junk. I hope it comes together this weekend. did you ever end up going to see your doc about those symptoms you mentioned eariler in the week?

I'm no doc, but I think taking something for your shins may not be a bad idea. Whether that is a steroid or something like Celebrex, it may just get you through the weekend. I'm consider getting a cortisone injection in the knee if mine keeps bothering me.

[Teenage Dirtbag]

Three days till race day, and I'm starting to worry. I was supposed to run 8 Saturday, but I got busy and ran it Monday instead. I tried to run at pace, and failed miserably, coming in at about 30 seconds over race pace. My right quad and shins were sore from the run when I woke up yesterday, and still sore today.

I ran four yesterday and about 10 seconds over pace, but the last mile I was struggling to keep my HR under 172. My heart rate was 65 this morning when I woke up, which is 10 beats higher than it was three weeks ago, and I've been running mor than enough to stay in shape.

In short, I'm really wondering if I'm in good enough shape to run this thing isub 4 Saturday. I'm going to relax Thursday and Friday (maybe even take a nap Friday PM) and hope that I can load enough carbs to pull through. Also, I'm wondering if I should start taking a 7-day course of prednisone for my shins, since they're a little sore. Thoughts, suggestions?

cowboy, I'm all for setting goals, and I know what it's like to train hard and then worry if it's enough, but you need to relax, dude.

So let's say you finish in 4:15 (or worse)...you STILL accomplished something that the overwhelming majority of people in the world will never even try. Hell, I wussed out on running TOU, I'll be in bed! I know running sub-4 is important, it's pretty much my only goal every marathon, but if circumstances out of your control prevent you from doing it, you will still be in great shape from the experience, and healthy enough to take another shot at it. But let's say you finish in 3:55 (or better)...all of your worrying was for naught. So just go line up Saturday, give it your best shot, and be proud of the result, regardless of what it is. Just remember, after 3rd place, everyone goes home with the same color of medal.

[Sea Chicken]

I finished my last run before TOU. I'm not sure I'm ready either. I only got two 20-milers in, but my overall mileage has been good. My last few races have kind of sucked so my expectations are kind of low. But, I am going to quit drinking Diet Mtn. Dew for three days. Maybe that will help.

[SteelBlue]

Went out to test the knee last night and got 0.1 mile before I had to stop. I was walking back toward the house very angry because that's the soonest it's hurt that bad. Just before I got back to the driveway I took off again and the pain was tolerable. I had to think in tenths for the first mile, "just one more and maybe it'll warm up" and it actually did. I got in 6 miles with only mild pain, and could have gone 12 if I hadn't left at 10:30 pm. So, now I have some hope again. This injury is so strange. Saturday I did the exact same thing and could never get to a point where I could keep running after 3 miles. Today I have pain just walking around and I have to avoid stairs, but who knows, maybe I can tough it out on Oct. 3rd. I'm going to try a long run on Sat. and see if I get lucky again.

[BigPiney]

Sorry about the timing of all this junk. I hope it comes together this weekend. did you ever end up going to see your doc about those symptoms you mentioned eariler in the week?

I'm no doc, but I think taking something for your shins may not be a bad idea. Whether that is a steroid or something like Celebrex, it may just get you through the weekend. I'm consider getting a cortisone injection in the knee if mine keeps bothering me.

My wife got a cortisone shot in the bottom of her foot yesterday (ouch), and was able to runa slow 5 miles this morning. Doctor said it was not a stress fracture and was only tendonitis. So if he is correct she should be good for St George.

In any case we'll be there to cheer bluegoose and his wife on.

[ewth8tr]

The closer I get to the race, the more tempted I am getting to try to run it still. I don't care about my time at all, but the half was the longest run i was able to get in. What are the chances I seriously hurt myself?

[bluegoose]

My wife got a cortisone shot in the bottom of her foot yesterday (ouch), and was able to runa slow 5 miles this morning. Doctor said it was not a stress fracture and was only tendonitis. So if he is correct she should be good for St George.

In any case we'll be there to cheer bluegoose and his wife on.

Thats good news about the non-stress fracture. lets keep our fingers crossed that this injection does the trick.

As to waiting for us at the finish line, make sure and bring a lawn chair and plenty of drinks to stay hydrated. Cuz it could be awhile after she is done before i come moseying along to the finish.

[cowboy]

Sorry about the timing of all this junk. I hope it comes together this weekend. did you ever end up going to see your doc about those symptoms you mentioned eariler in the week?

I called in to the local PA here and talked to him. No drugs, just taking it easy. I went to the health fair this morning and had my blood drawn. My vitals sucked. Heart rate: 73; BP 118/84. I wonder if it is just stress and fatigue.

cowboy, I'm all for setting goals, and I know what it's like to train hard and then worry if it's enough, but you need to relax, dude....Just remember, after 3rd place, everyone goes home with the same color of medal.

Probably good advice. I tend to be a little too competitive at times.

The closer I get to the race, the more tempted I am getting to try to run it still. I don't care about my time at all, but the half was the longest run i was able to get in. What are the chances I seriously hurt myself?

Go for it. The worst that can happen is you'll end up riding the meat wagon for the last 6 miles. A girl who worked for me ran St. George two years ago in 5 hours and she had never run over 10 miles. If you've paid your entrance fee, do it.

[ewth8tr]

Alright, I've decided I am going to run it. I wish I wouldn't have canceled my hotel reservation thoguh, now I've got to drive up there extra early. Besieds being able to say I ran it, I will also be setting my PR bar low so I should have no problem beating it the next marathon.

[bluegoose]

I talked to an orthopedic surgeon friend of mine today. He said he normally wouldn't offer someone an injection for ITBS right away, but knowing how many training miles I've put in and how much self-treatment I've done, he was more than willing to do it for me. He told me to try a stronger NSAID (Mobic) for a week and if it is still bothering me he would inject it early next week.

So i'll try this through the weekend and see how my next few runs go, knowing that I can get an injection if i need one.

[ewth8tr]

I've been constantly checking all of the hotel websites today hoping to catch a room that gets canceled and I finally got one. I'll be at the Quality Inn. This is great because now I won't have to wake up quite so early, plus my wife and kids will be up there with me and be waiting at the finish line.

[Sea Chicken]

I've been constantly checking all of the hotel websites today hoping to catch a room that gets canceled and I finally got one. I'll be at the Quality Inn. This is great because now I won't have to wake up quite so early, plus my wife and kids will be up there with me and be waiting at the finish line.

I'll look for you at the starting line. Good luck!

[bluegoose]

Good luck fellas. I look forward to a run report.

[bluegoose]

I've been constantly checking all of the hotel websites today hoping to catch a room that gets canceled and I finally got one. I'll be at the Quality Inn. This is great because now I won't have to wake up quite so early, plus my wife and kids will be up there with me and be waiting at the finish line.

I'm glad it worked out. My one good memory from my marathon last year was crossing the finish line with my then-8 year old. He met me about 100 yards up the trail after waiting there for 45 minutes (did I mention how badly I bonked). I kept telling him to wait for me as I was one step away from falling over in hamstring and calf cramps.

[SteelBlue]

Ok, we're 2 weeks from St. George and my knee is finally letting me run a little bit longer. I plan to do a long run tomorrow just to see if I can and if it goes well then I'll head to St. George. I need your opinions, how long should I try to go tomorrow? I'm thinking of trying for 20 since I haven't hit that distance yet during this training (remember I've missed half of Aug/Sept as far as long runs go). Is two weeks too close for a 20 (it's a big assumption that I could log 20 anyway but...)