I'm new, and what would you do?

[katyintx]

Happy Monday y'all!  I've been lurking for a little bit here, and thought I'd jump in now since I'm hoping for some advice...

I've been a runner pretty much my whole life (although not a fast one), and finally made the decision to complete my first whole marathon.  I'm much better at 13.1 or below...  Anyway, the marathon is March 1st, and I just had my last long run!  Woohoo!  Unfortunately, it was supposed to be 21 miles, but I couldn't finish running it because of foot pain (although I finished the last 2 miles on the elliptical).  I did a half on Dec 21st, and since then both of my feet have been hurting - a lot.  Not the extensor tendonitis-type pain, but something else that I should probably go see a doctor for. 

ANYway, I decided during my long run that I was going to take this week off of running.  I want to keep my cardio and endurance up, so I thought I'd do all the workouts on the elliptical.  Do you ladies have any other ideas?  Sometimes I feel like I don't get a very good workout on the elliptical, which is why I ask...  Also, am I being stupid for taking a week off of running so close to the race?  I will welcome any tips/advice/criticism!   

[andrealynn]

How are your shoes?

[shauni27]

I am not a marathoner, but 1) I would speak to a sports medicine doctor 2) get new shoes, and 3) I think you will be ok to take a week off running but still do exercise--think biking, elliptical, rowing?

[ebeth]

I don't know that I'd take a week off, but I don't think it's going to harm anything. if you're in taper you've already done the work. it's probbly best to get your feet healed up.

I would make sure that you are doing equivalent effort on the elliptical though for the same length of time (not distance) as your runs. you can't be phoning it in on the elliptical.

new shoes can't hurt and I'd also try to see an MD soon if this has been going on for a month.

[sassystace]

Hi and welcome. Sorry about your feet.

I'd get my feet checked out by a doctor ASAP. A week off won't hurt you but it probably won't heal everything either. You might need different shoes or physical therapy, etc., to keep it from coming right back when you run again.

[MrsE]

Welcome! I am a half marathoner, not a marathoner, but if you don't feel better after 3 days of RICE, I would see a doctor. GL!

[coconutbug]

Hello and welcome!

[thom]

Feb 3, 2014 12:24:55 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

1) I would speak to a sports medicine doctor 2) get new shoes, and 3) I think you will be ok to take a week off running but still do exercise--think biking, elliptical, rowing?

Welcome to the board! I agree with Shauni's suggestions above. Hope you get better & things go well for your first 26.2.

[taratru]

Welcome! I agree with shoes and doctor.

I've found that spinning gives me the most "like running" workout.

[pag41989]

Feb 3, 2014 12:24:55 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

I am not a marathoner, but 1) I would speak to a sports medicine doctor 2) get new shoes, and 3) I think you will be ok to take a week off running but still do exercise--think biking, elliptical, rowing?

Welcome! I am a (new) half marathoner and I would recommend these same exact things. Good luck to you and I hope your pain goes away!

[G22]

I also suggest new shoes and seeing the doctor if it continues. I ran my first marathon last fall and hurt my foot about 6 weeks out from the race. I saw a doctor and took 2 weeks off to rest it.

In seeing the doctor, I found out I have high arches (I always thought mine were normal) and my shoes had pretty much zero arch support. I got a new pair and managed to break them in enough before the race. I ran the race and had no pain at all from the injury. I completely believe the right new pair of shoes has made all the difference.

[katyintx]

Aww crap - I was really hoping there wouldn't be so many mentions of the words "go to the doctor" in the responses! I'm sure if I go I'll be told to not do the marathon. I know, I know, I'm being stupid here because overall my health is priority.

As far as shoes go - I had actually thought it was my old shoes that were causing me problems, so a couple of weeks after the half I did get new ones. My feet have been progressively getting worse since the half, but no noticeable difference when I got new shoes so I don't think that's the issue.

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions!

[ebeth]

Feb 3, 2014 15:43:02 GMT -5 katyintx said:

Aww crap - I was really hoping there wouldn't be so many mentions of the words "go to the doctor" in the responses! I'm sure if I go I'll be told to not do the marathon. I know, I know, I'm being stupid here because overall my health is priority.

As far as shoes go - I had actually thought it was my old shoes that were causing me problems, so a couple of weeks after the half I did get new ones. My feet have been progressively getting worse since the half, but no noticeable difference when I got new shoes so I don't think that's the issue.

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions!

don't just go to a PCP. if you go to a regular internal medical/GP/PCP type they are going to tell you to rest for two weeks. because most things will just resolve if you rest for two weeks. 

see a sports med MD/PA.  they will be way more likely to work with you.  and IME these folks are more likely to 'get' why you need to run *THIS* marathon.  in fact, the elliptical advice I gave you came from my sports med PA when I got injured mid-training cycle and had to stop running.  she helped me come up with a plan to stay in shape and get me through the race.

[finallykrisb]

If they are getting worse a doctor is definitely the way to go. And let them know off the bat that you would like to do the race if at all possible without it being detrimental to your running in the long run.

Off that topic, welcome to the board! Where in Texas are you and which marathon are you running?

[atlas]

I agree with ebeth I would go see a sports medicine professional. My mom was training for a marathon and about 3 weeks or so before she had this odd pain in her super inner hip. She went and saw her dr. and he basically said that she wasn't doing any damage by running the marathon, it wold be uncomfortable but no lasting issues. He said that if he were in that place, he would run the marathon. Sometimes it is just nice to know that while it will hurt you won't be doing lasting damage. And if you would do lasting damage, that is something good to know to decide if you should really do the run.

For cross training I like the rowing machine. If you can swim, it is a great XT activity too.

[katyintx]

Feb 3, 2014 16:42:18 GMT -5 finallykrisb said:

If they are getting worse a doctor is definitely the way to go. And let them know off the bat that you would like to do the race if at all possible without it being detrimental to your running in the long run.

Off that topic, welcome to the board! Where in Texas are you and which marathon are you running?

I'm down in Katy, and doing The Woodlands marathon.  I didn't decide to do a marathon until the Houston was full. 

Thanks to all for the Sports Med Dr idea.  I probably would've just gone to the PCP and been told not to run, which is why I haven't gone yet, honestly.  You've all been awesome!

[finallykrisb]

Feb 3, 2014 23:36:50 GMT -5 katyintx said:

Feb 3, 2014 16:42:18 GMT -5 finallykrisb said:

If they are getting worse a doctor is definitely the way to go. And let them know off the bat that you would like to do the race if at all possible without it being detrimental to your running in the long run.

Off that topic, welcome to the board! Where in Texas are you and which marathon are you running?

I'm down in Katy, and doing The Woodlands marathon.  I didn't decide to do a marathon until the Houston was full. 

Thanks to all for the Sports Med Dr idea.  I probably would've just gone to the PCP and been told not to run, which is why I haven't gone yet, honestly.  You've all been awesome!

There are lots of Houston ladies here! We're getting together in the next few weeks if you want the details. We would love to meet you!

[finallykrisb]

Also, we aren't psychos. I swear.

[katyintx]

Feb 4, 2014 9:24:10 GMT -5 finallykrisb said:

Feb 3, 2014 23:36:50 GMT -5 katyintx said:

I'm down in Katy, and doing The Woodlands marathon.  I didn't decide to do a marathon until the Houston was full. 

Thanks to all for the Sports Med Dr idea.  I probably would've just gone to the PCP and been told not to run, which is why I haven't gone yet, honestly.  You've all been awesome!

There are lots of Houston ladies here! We're getting together in the next few weeks if you want the details. We would love to meet you!

I noticed the amount of Houston ladies earlier!  I'm certainly down to meet y'all if you'll have me!