The week after the half marathon, I continued with the NYRR Virtual marathon training program. I did my regular runs of 4-5 miles , a hill repeat work-out on about a 4% incline and of course the long run of 16 miles. Being concerned that the NYC Marathon is a hilly route, I decided to do the 16 mile long run on a hilly course just to see how I would do. I didn’t even think about the fact that I had just ran a half marathon the week-end before, plus I had been training on hills just a few days after. It probably would have been smarter to run on a flatter course and given my body a bit of a break from the harder workouts. But, I didn’t.
My training for the long run was to go out at about a 9:34-9-40 pace, then increase the pace to 9:00 minutes per mile at mile 15. I was just coming to the top of a hill and started to pick up the pace for that last mile when my calf started hurting. I was a little surprised at this sudden onset of pain, so I stopped to stretch it a bit and started to run on it again, but the pain was too great. I had to stop and walk the final mile. I, of course, did the whole RICE thing several times over the next few days. My calf was pretty swollen, but I could walk on it without pain.
I decided to go to my chiropractor who didn’t think there was a major muscle tear. Instead, he thought it was a possible grade 1 calf tear that could be the gastrocnemius, but he thought it was more likely a deeper muscle like the peroneals. My own research on healing gave a time frame of about 7-10 days, but could take as long as 4 weeks! At the time of the injury, I had only 9 weeks left until the big day. And I am trying to not stress about having an injury this close to the marathon. But, all I can do is give it time to heal. One saving grace is that I did qualify for the NYC marathon with the last half marathon that I ran. But, I am not going to even think about that. I am running the NYC marathon this year. This injury is a set back, but I feel like I still have plenty of time.
So, I took a few days off from running. Since I could walk without any pain after that short layoff, I decided to attempt a couple of miles. I warmed up really good. But, with the first steps I could tell that I needed more time. I stopped immediately because I didn’t want to make the injury worse. I had to work the next two days so I thought I would try a mile or two on Sunday. My leg was feeling much better every day.
After a really good warm-up again, I attempted to run which I could without pain, but I could feel a pulling or tightness that made me realize that I should give it just a few more days. I probably could have ran a couple of miles but I think it would have set me back a few more weeks. So, I have to wait it out.
After the second failed attempt to run, I went straight to the local women’s sport shop and bought a bathing suit with plans to get in the pool. Yes, I was going to have to start some water jogging until I could run. Even worse, I have to wear a bathing suit!! Ha! On this day though, it was late and the pool wasn’t going to be open for lap swim (or jogging) so I headed to the gym and rode the stationary bike instead. Anything that can give me a little bit of a cardio workout so that I can minimize my fitness loss.
Being injured this close to the marathon is very frustrating. I have worked so hard and everything was going so well. This is a very hard place to be but injury happens and time off heals! So, just got to deal with it.
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