WWHFD? Marathon training help.

[noisemaker2]

I ran my 17 miler yesterday and then walked around our town's trail of lights, including the portions in a muddy field.  Today my ankle (that I sprained almost 2 weeks ago) is sore.  I felt it a bit during the end of my run, but it would just ache for a bit and then quickly be fine again.  The uneven ground at the lights was more problematic--I was in pain after that.  So, I rested, iced and adviled today.  I can walk on it fine, but it's sore to the touch and just a little achy.  No visible swelling. 

My training plan has me down for an 18 miler this week.  Of course, there's also Christmas with my two little kids and then a long road trip, so my schedule is messed up.  I was planning on front-loading this week and getting in my 18 on Thursday before we start our drive.  But I'm not sure that's smart with my ankle acting up.  Should I forget my 18 and go easy this week and rest my ankle more?  Do I add the 18 back in next week? How would you rearrange this schedule?  Right now it's 18, 13, 20, race a half, 20, 12, 8, Race.  I've done 14, 15 and 17.  Any thoughts appreciated!

And sidenote--I'm so bummed about this damn injury!  Last week was my highest mileage week ever, at a great (for me) overall average pace.  I so badly want to stay the course on this!!  

[runaways]

My thoughts off the top of my head - it's only Monday, so see how you are feeling Thursday. If you have any discomfort or swelling then, I would skip it, rest up, and do 18 instead of the first 20 and then go from there as planned.

[hannahb]

Dec 23, 2013 23:04:48 GMT -5 runaways said:

My thoughts off the top of my head - it's only Monday, so see how you are feeling Thursday. If you have any discomfort or swelling then, I would skip it, rest up, and do 18 instead of the first 20 and then go from there as planned.

This is what I would recommmend too. Maybe cut out today's run if its still sore. Better to cut out a short recovery run then a long run

[cinco]

I agree with the pp's. I hope it feels better soon.

[gt7301b]

I also agree with the pp, you have plenty of wiggle room in your schedule. I'd just bag it if you aren't feeling 100% Thursday. Training rarely goes exactly as planned, especially around the holidays.

[clseale]

Yup, ditto everyone else. I'm sorry. I hope it feels better soon!

[kams]

Ditto everyone else! Also, since you've been building for the last few weeks, I think you can take a recovery step back week without any guilt

[blndsnbrdr]

Ditto to everyone else - err on the side of caution with any short runs, give the 18 a try and if the ankle isn't at least 80% walk away from the run and swap the 20 for 18. One week and a 2mi difference in a long run really isn't going to negatively affect your training if you're coming away with a rested up ankle!

[noisemaker2]

Thanks guys! I just went for a short one with no pain at all, so feeling much better about it. Amazing what a good run will do for my brain.