to race or not to race? UPDATE in OP

[jordylee]

The Chicago marathon is 9 days away, and I'm still struggling with tendonitis in my hip. I haven't run in 4 weeks, but up until that point, I was having a decently good training cycle. When I stopped running, I was at the point where jogging 5 steps was out of the question and causing stabbing pain. I jogged a few blocks tonight to test the waters and it was okay, but not 100% yet. 

I'm so torn on what to do. I've been icing and doing PT exercises like its my job and it seems like it has been really helping... Options are:

1) start the race, with a high possibility of a DNF and certainly not a stellar performance. I would take my phone and transit pass with me and bail if/when I need to.
2) try to sell my bib (Corral B), hopefully to someone speedy enough to re-qualify me for Chicago next year (but I feel a little weird about this... like it's cheating?) and spectate
3) don't sell my bib, pick up my packet, but don't run... just spectate. Not sure how I feel about wearing the shirt if I didn't run the race.

My family is all "ZOMG DONT RUN YOU WILL INJURE YOURSELF 4-EVAAA!!!" but I feel like it isn't such a big deal. I've never DNF'd a race before. Am I crazy to consider running? WWYD? 


UPDATE:
I ran two miles today to test the waters, and it was pain-free. I seriously wanted to cry. I am going to continue to ice it like a boss the rest of the week and plan to start the race with no expectations. Thank you all so much for your good vibes and commiseration. 

[katyintx]

Do you think you would've re-qualified for Chicago next year?

[jordylee]

Oct 2, 2015 19:37:55 GMT -5 katyintx said:

Do you think you would've re-qualified for Chicago next year?

Yes. I would estimate my healthy finish time to be in the 3:35-3:40 range; 3:45 is the qualifying time. I ran a 3:45:13 in Boston this year in horrendous conditions with much worse training. 

[hannahb]

The runner in me says option 1. The PT in me says option 2. I get what you say about the "cheating" aspect of 2 but you did qualify this year. If you haven't been able to run at all because of pain for 4 weeks, I just don't see it ending well. That's fine if you're ok with that. I personally would rather run a few easy miles on my own and spectate and then try again the next year

[clseale]

Are the lottery entries the only ones that are able to be deferred? If not, is it too late to do that? I'm assuming the qualifying period for 2016 starts 01/01/14? Idk. That's a tough call. If it was something like Boston, where legit qualifiers are being kept out, that's one thing, but that's not the case for Chicago. I don't think it's terrible if you do #2, but I get why you'd feel weird.

[jordylee]

Deferred entry has passed. I am leaning toward Option 1 right now. If I don't get in via lottery next year I will be really bummed, but it's not the end of the world or anything. A tiny part of me is still holding out hope that I will magically be fixed in 9 days

And also, I want to wear the shirt and I can't wear the shirt if I didn't run the race at all.

[katyintx]

Oct 2, 2015 20:25:05 GMT -5 clseale said:

Are the lottery entries the only ones that are able to be deferred? If not, is it too late to do that? I'm assuming the qualifying period for 2016 starts 01/01/14? Idk. That's a tough call. If it was something like Boston, where legit qualifiers are being kept out, that's one thing, but that's not the case for Chicago. I don't think it's terrible if you do #2, but I get why you'd feel weird.

Ahh crap, I meant to answer earlier but I've had some margaritas...  

But yeah, this was kind of what I was going for. I don't think #2 would be awful, assuming you'd qualify anyway, but I also get the hesitation on that one. I'm hoping secret #4 of magically healing happens though...  

[thom]

That's a tough spot to be in. I'm sorry Jordy. Personally I would not sell my bib. I wouldn't feel right about it, and you could really screw yourself for future years on the off chance this person has some sort of emergency or wins something & creates controversy. You know the city well enough to bail if you need to and you're not incurring travel, so I would probably plan to start if you feel it's reasonable.

Go for a few easy miles a day or two before race day, see how you feel, and I think that will tell you whether it's worth it to start.

[runaways]

I would do #1. I don't know if it's the right answer, but it is undoubtedly what I would actually do.

[joenali]

26.2 miles is a long way to run when you are injured and haven't been doing much running in 4 weeks. starting is not going to make you feel great if you have to quit. I think a dns is better than a dnf given the circumstances.

Eta: I think your family is right.

[Wines Not Whines]

Oct 3, 2015 13:21:20 GMT -5 runaways said:

I would do #1. I don't know if it's the right answer, but it is undoubtedly what I would actually do.

I'm here too, but I feel like I've run every single one of my marathons with a minor (but not debilitating) injury. So I may not be the best person to listen to.

[sassystace]

I so wish you'll be better in 9 days! I'm with you in that I'm injured and I have a race to run in 2 weeks, granted it's not a full (but a half). If you can and will truly bail if things get rough during the race (so you don't do permanent damage of some sort), I'd give it a go and see how things go. And start or not, I'd feel just fine about wearing the shirt.

[ktzmoh]

I'd do number 1. I barely ran at all for 3 weeks before my marathon and I still ran - I just told myself I was not going to push the pace, bail if I was in pain, and take an extra long recovery period. i had to fight to finish- but it was my first and you are obviously way more conditioned than I was.

I think you'll be fine. I think you have the self awareness and discipline to DNF if that's what you need to do. For me, I just didn't want to not try because I would have always wondered if I could have finished- I wanted to give it a shot KWIM?

[jordylee]

Thanks for the input everyone. I am heavily leaning toward option 1 so far. I am so bummed, I love this race pretty please send me any healing vibes you have over the next week. I'm sure I will update and whine some before then!

[moreace01]

I still swear by my Graston/ART guy. But might be a little late for that now. I'm heading in for one last session (achilles) on Wednesday and then...it is what it is.

I'd go for it. Get out there with the crowd and no expectations and just enjoy what you can. Have fun. You'll know when you need to stop - and then just enjoy the party (or come back and slum with those of us holding up the rear). I would not sell my bib.

[clseale]

When I ran Chiacgo, a girl that was running with us developed a stress fracture during training. By the time we got to Chicago, she was easing back into running. She ran the first 13 miles with her husband, than made her way to the finish to cheer us on. She had no regrets.

ETA: I'd probably do #1, but only if keeping it slower meant that I could get in some decently pain free miles. Pain from step 1? I'd do #3. I'm sorry.

[foundmylazybum]

Oct 3, 2015 16:38:53 GMT -5 clseale said:

When I ran Chiacgo, a girl that was running with us developed a stress fracture during training. By the time we got to Chicago, she was easing back into running. She ran the first 13 miles with her husband, than made her way to the finish to cheer us on. She had no regrets.

ETA: I'd probably do #1, but only if keeping it slower meant that I could get in some decently pain free miles. Pain from step 1? I'd do #3. I'm sorry.

It sounds like this lady made a concrete plan to start, run 13 then drop out. Not start, then "see how I feel and drop out if I need to." Coming back from a stress fracture also in general has a pretty structured plan attached to it: a plan that has people starting at running 1 min on, 1 min off--for 30 MIN! NOT 26.2 OR even 13 miles! It takes weeks to get to that point! 

#1 is actually a non plan at this point. It's really vague. If you want to do #1, I'd personally flesh out the plan more. What pace are you going to drop down to? How far are you going to run? Personally, I think it's a pretty bad idea to go from training, to an injury that was painful enough to make it so you couldn't run at all to then deciding that you could potentially run 26.2? No way.

If you go to the start, I'd commit to...honestly, 6 max. Not even the half. The idea that someone said you could qualify again? OMG.

In terms of #2? I sold a bib for the Peachtree that was a higher corral and the person ran 70 minutes for a 10K lol. Oh well. That's the risk--I also sold the bib for a 25% markup! Yay!


#3. Didn't the board just recommend to someone to get a t-shirt for a race they didn't run the other day? Lol.

[clseale]

Oct 3, 2015 17:01:08 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

Oct 3, 2015 16:38:53 GMT -5 clseale said:

When I ran Chiacgo, a girl that was running with us developed a stress fracture during training. By the time we got to Chicago, she was easing back into running. She ran the first 13 miles with her husband, than made her way to the finish to cheer us on. She had no regrets.

ETA: I'd probably do #1, but only if keeping it slower meant that I could get in some decently pain free miles. Pain from step 1? I'd do #3. I'm sorry.

It sounds like this lady made a concrete plan to start, run 13 then drop out. Not start, then "see how I feel and drop out if I need to." Coming back from a stress fracture also in general has a pretty structured plan attached to it: a plan that has people starting at running 1 min on, 1 min off--for 30 MIN! NOT 26.2 OR even 13 miles! It takes weeks to get to that point! 

#1 is actually a non plan at this point. It's really vague. If you want to do #1, I'd personally flesh out the plan more. What pace are you going to drop down to? How far are you going to run? Personally, I think it's a pretty bad idea to go from training, to an injury that was painful enough to make it so you couldn't run at all to then deciding that you could potentially run 26.2? No way.

If you go to the start, I'd commit to...honestly, 6 max. Not even the half. The idea that someone said you could qualify again? OMG.

In terms of #2? I sold a bib for the Peachtree that was a higher corral and the person ran 70 minutes for a 10K lol. Oh well. That's the risk--I also sold the bib for a 25% markup! Yay!


#3. Didn't the board just recommend to someone to get a t-shirt for a race they didn't run the other day? Lol.

Yes, that's exactly what she did. She was at the point in her recovery, where she could reasonably, responsibly complete 13 miles of the race. She got the stress fracture pretty early on in training. My point to jordylee was that she didn't regret participating in what she safely could participate in & then spectating the rest. It's also why I said I would only do number one if she could run pain free for a bit, but if that wasn't the case, I'do do number 3.

ETA: Who said she might qualify again?

[foundmylazybum]

Oct 3, 2015 17:13:13 GMT -5 clseale said:

Oct 3, 2015 17:01:08 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

It sounds like this lady made a concrete plan to start, run 13 then drop out. Not start, then "see how I feel and drop out if I need to." Coming back from a stress fracture also in general has a pretty structured plan attached to it: a plan that has people starting at running 1 min on, 1 min off--for 30 MIN! NOT 26.2 OR even 13 miles! It takes weeks to get to that point! 

#1 is actually a non plan at this point. It's really vague. If you want to do #1, I'd personally flesh out the plan more. What pace are you going to drop down to? How far are you going to run? Personally, I think it's a pretty bad idea to go from training, to an injury that was painful enough to make it so you couldn't run at all to then deciding that you could potentially run 26.2? No way.

If you go to the start, I'd commit to...honestly, 6 max. Not even the half. The idea that someone said you could qualify again? OMG.

In terms of #2? I sold a bib for the Peachtree that was a higher corral and the person ran 70 minutes for a 10K lol. Oh well. That's the risk--I also sold the bib for a 25% markup! Yay!


#3. Didn't the board just recommend to someone to get a t-shirt for a race they didn't run the other day? Lol.

Yes, that's exactly what she did. She was at the point in her recovery, where she could reasonably, responsibly complete 13 miles of the race. She got the stress fracture pretty early on in training. My point to jordylee was that she didn't regret participating in what she safely could participate in & then spectating the rest. It's also why I said I would only do number one if she could run pain free for a bit, but if that wasn't the case, I'do do number 3.

:Y: Tee hee, I think I was just trying to broaden and build your original point. I hope you know that 9.9/10 if we were sitting together I'd be nodding along with you!

[clseale]

Oct 3, 2015 17:18:30 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

Oct 3, 2015 17:13:13 GMT -5 clseale said:

Yes, that's exactly what she did. She was at the point in her recovery, where she could reasonably, responsibly complete 13 miles of the race. She got the stress fracture pretty early on in training. My point to jordylee was that she didn't regret participating in what she safely could participate in & then spectating the rest. It's also why I said I would only do number one if she could run pain free for a bit, but if that wasn't the case, I'do do number 3.

Tee hee, I think I was just trying to broaden and build your original point. I hope you know that 9.9/10 if we were sitting together I'd be nodding along with you!

Oh, yeah. I didn't think you were challenging me, I was just elaborating on/clarifying my point. I'm on my phone, but ::insert kissy face here:: lol

[foundmylazybum]

Oct 3, 2015 17:13:13 GMT -5 clseale said:

Oct 3, 2015 17:01:08 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

It sounds like this lady made a concrete plan to start, run 13 then drop out. Not start, then "see how I feel and drop out if I need to." Coming back from a stress fracture also in general has a pretty structured plan attached to it: a plan that has people starting at running 1 min on, 1 min off--for 30 MIN! NOT 26.2 OR even 13 miles! It takes weeks to get to that point! 

#1 is actually a non plan at this point. It's really vague. If you want to do #1, I'd personally flesh out the plan more. What pace are you going to drop down to? How far are you going to run? Personally, I think it's a pretty bad idea to go from training, to an injury that was painful enough to make it so you couldn't run at all to then deciding that you could potentially run 26.2? No way.

If you go to the start, I'd commit to...honestly, 6 max. Not even the half. The idea that someone said you could qualify again? OMG.

In terms of #2? I sold a bib for the Peachtree that was a higher corral and the person ran 70 minutes for a 10K lol. Oh well. That's the risk--I also sold the bib for a 25% markup! Yay!


#3. Didn't the board just recommend to someone to get a t-shirt for a race they didn't run the other day? Lol.

Yes, that's exactly what she did. She was at the point in her recovery, where she could reasonably, responsibly complete 13 miles of the race. She got the stress fracture pretty early on in training. My point to jordylee was that she didn't regret participating in what she safely could participate in & then spectating the rest. It's also why I said I would only do number one if she could run pain free for a bit, but if that wasn't the case, I'do do number 3.

ETA: Who said she might qualify again?

Someone said "do you think you would have requalified again?"

Jordy gave response of healthy prediction time..ran time under worse training conditions?... I suppose "i" just took that to be she thinks a qualification is potentially possible? Maybe? Lol. Ive confused myself.

[clseale]

Oct 3, 2015 17:44:18 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

Oct 3, 2015 17:13:13 GMT -5 clseale said:

Yes, that's exactly what she did. She was at the point in her recovery, where she could reasonably, responsibly complete 13 miles of the race. She got the stress fracture pretty early on in training. My point to jordylee was that she didn't regret participating in what she safely could participate in & then spectating the rest. It's also why I said I would only do number one if she could run pain free for a bit, but if that wasn't the case, I'do do number 3.

ETA: Who said she might qualify again?

Someone said "do you think you would have requalified again?"

Jordy gave response of healthy prediction time..ran time under worse training conditions?... I suppose "i" just took that to be she thinks a qualification is potentially possible? Maybe? Lol. Ive confused myself.

Haha. Yeah, I saw that after I asked you that. I think she was asking that, because she was wondering how ethical it would be for someone else to qualify for jordy. As in, if she wasn't injured, would she have have re-qualified? (Versus, as an example, a 4:00 marathoner selling a bib to a 3:30 marathoner, to get a BQ.) Jordy knows she WOULD have, because she almost ran that time in much worse conditions, but she knows she can no longer run that time now. At least that's how I read it. Idk.

[jordylee]

Just checking back in - I am under absolutely no delusions that I will finish, let alone re-qualify. When I said I raced in worse conditions, I meant in terms of weather / course difficulty, NOT worse than being injured.

In terms of fleshing out my exact plan, I hesitate to do so. I don't want to "plan" on running half, 6 or even 3 miles because if I'm in pain, then I'm out. So the plan is to run at an easy pace, and stop if my hip hurts. It could be a mile in, it could be halfway through, it could be a non-issue (unlikely).

[clseale]

We're crossing our fingers for you jordylee!! I think you'll have to take it mile by mile. You know your body & you know that course. You'll figure out what's best.

[taratru]

I don't envy you right now. So many possible outcomes, so few of which are what you want. I'd do A with no expectations. Hell, at the rate I'm going, I might be doing the same thing in three weeks.

[hannahb]

I think since you know the city taking it mile by mile is a good plan. We are all pulling for you!

[jordylee]

update in OP

[cinco]

Sounds promising! Good luck this weekend!

[clseale]

Yay!! Starting pain free is, well, a good place to start!! Fingers crossed for you.

[sassystace]

Fingers crossed for you!