Spontaneous marathon decision

[bumppkathleen]

I am thinking of running the SD R&R marathon in two weeks. I am registered and fully trained for the half. I was trained and ready for the LA marathon (well, up to 18 miles), in March, then got injured two months before and had to skip it.

I did my 11 mile run today and felt great - sprinted the last mile, then walked another mile after to get to my car, walked my dogs for three miles after i got home, then went on a 10 mile bike ride with DH. And I still am feeling good. I genuinely think I could have done another 11 miles today without too much angst.

So obviously I'm undertrained for the full, but I think I could finish and that's really all I want to do. I *hated* marathon training at the end and my orthopedist said the repetitive 12-15 mile training runs were a recipe for injury. I am thinking if I just decide to jump in and do the full then at least I'll have done it, and I will miss the 6 months of build up only to get injured, and if I keep it at 12 minute miles I should be able to finish.

Is this insanity? You all are my gurus so I will do what you suggest.

[bumppkathleen]

I'm afraid if I go through full marathon training I'll get injured again. This winter was the second time I've hurt my knee within two months of a marathon. So I'm wondering if there isn't something to be said for running it on a relatively fresh set of legs. I may be slow but honestly a 5 hour finish isn't going to bother me. I should be able to finish right? I'll just be slow?

[gt7301b]

I wouldn't do it. You are less likely to get injured if you train properly verses just jumping in and running a full. If your body doesn't respond well to the training just stick to half marathons. A half is still a great accomplishment.

[psyri]

I would not do the full. I was in a position a few years ago to potentially switch from a half to full marathon. I stuck with the half because I didn't have the training for a full. It was the right decision. I picked a marathon a few monthd later and had a great experience. Yes, I probably could have finished the earlier marathon, but it would not have been pretty. It isn't just about getting in the miles. The mental skills you develop during training are just as important as the physical ability to run the distance.

[clseale]

I've gone back and forth on my thoughts on this, but because everyone is so different I don't really have a black and white answer. Here are my thoughts on it.

Would I do it personally? Absolutely not. For me however, increased mileage and longer runs seems to lead to a stronger body and I haven't seen injury. While it is a process, I enjoy marathon training. For these reasons, I train hard for my fulls.

However, for you, it doesn't sound like this is the case. Can you survive and physically finish the race? Assuming that the sudden extra mileage doesn't aggravate your past injury, probably. Can you do it in 5 hrs given your training so far? Not necessarily. You would be shocked at what the last 6 miles can take from you physically & mentally. I have gone from feeling fantastic to things being pretty freakin ugly just a mile later when I'm up over the 20 mile mark. When taking all of the variables into account, a marathon can turn on you pretty quickly.

If it's a bucket list, just want to say you did it type of thing, you can probably do it. I would plan on being more miserable then you probably realize in the last few miles and you need to ask yourself if your ok with the possibility of injury. If your knee holds up, I think you can finish. You're probably in better shape than quite a few people who will be out there. Also, just an FYI, Fiesta Island is a mental hell hole. They reduced the mileage by half because everyone complained so much, but that last section of the race sucks. It will be your biggest battle of the whole course. Other than that though, I love that race and I'm sad I'm not doing it this year. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[grk2012]

Have you ever done a full before? Those "another 11 miles" are no joke. When is the last time you actually did that 18 miles? Respect the distance. Train for it. If you get injured, it's not the right time. If you're worried about aggravating past injury by training properly, jumping into 26.2 that undertrained likely won't do you any favors.

[starryfish]

May 21, 2012 9:11:16 GMT -5 clseale said:

However, for you, it doesn't sound like this is the case. Can you survive and physically finish the race? Assuming that the sudden extra mileage doesn't aggravate your past injury, probably. Can you do it in 5 hrs given your training so far? Not necessarily. You would be shocked at what the last 6 miles can take from you physically & mentally. I have gone from feeling fantastic to things being pretty freakin ugly just a mile later when I'm up over the 20 mile mark. When taking all of the variables into account, a marathon can turn on you pretty quickly.

This is so true. The last 6.2 miles are killer both mentally and physically. You really will "hit a wall" especially if you dont have enough long runs under your belt.

[bumppkathleen]

I did my last 18 mile run 4 months ago I think. The only reason I am considering this is that I have gotten hurt every time I've tried to properly ramp up training. It's not doing a single long run that gets me, it is doing 12-15 mile runs every week that has done me in both times I've trained (the injury normally hits about 6 weeks into this). So I guess I was just thinking it won't be pretty but at least it will be done and it won't be my white whale anymore. And maybe if I can get it done one time I won't be as intense about training or whatever in the future. Maybe I'm being superstitious.

[annabear07]

I'm also in the no camp. Could you do it? Probably. Would you come out with a really good injury? Probably. As others have said that next 11 miles is no joke, and your body reacts so differently to even a 16 mile run than a 10 mile run that there is no comparison.

As for your ability to train for a marathon injury free, have you tried run/walk intervals? This has helped me vastly increase my pace while decreasing my injuries as it seems to put less stress on the body. Just throwing it out there!

[grk2012]

May 21, 2012 10:08:54 GMT -5 @bumppkathleen said:

I did my last 18 mile run 4 months ago I think. The only reason I am considering this is that I have gotten hurt every time I've tried to properly ramp up training. It's not doing a single long run that gets me, it is doing 12-15 mile runs every week that has done me in both times I've trained (the injury normally hits about 6 weeks into this). So I guess I was just thinking it won't be pretty but at least it will be done and it won't be my white whale anymore. And maybe if I can get it done one time I won't be as intense about training or whatever in the future. Maybe I'm being superstitious.

What plans have you followed? If you keep getting hurt in training, that says to me that your training needs to change--not that you need to rush through the race itself to head off injury.

[bumppkathleen]

May 21, 2012 10:14:47 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

May 21, 2012 10:08:54 GMT -5 @bumppkathleen said:

I did my last 18 mile run 4 months ago I think. The only reason I am considering this is that I have gotten hurt every time I've tried to properly ramp up training. It's not doing a single long run that gets me, it is doing 12-15 mile runs every week that has done me in both times I've trained (the injury normally hits about 6 weeks into this). So I guess I was just thinking it won't be pretty but at least it will be done and it won't be my white whale anymore. And maybe if I can get it done one time I won't be as intense about training or whatever in the future. Maybe I'm being superstitious.

What plans have you followed? If you keep getting hurt in training, that says to me that your training needs to change--not that you need to rush through the race itself to head off injury.

I trained with a trainer for the SB marathon and then with the LA Roadrunners for the LA Marathon. Apparently I have hyper flexible hips which are great for yoga and horrible for running.

After the LA Marathon training failure I went to a sports medicine doctor and he told me to only do a 3 month ramp up next time, and not to do more than four runs (spread out) longer than 10 miles in training. Whether that will work I don't know. I sort of got the impression from him he thinks I should just run it with a base of weekly 10 milers but maybe that's not what he was really saying. I was also maybe thinking I could train by doing 10 mile runs and then 20 mile bike rides or something. Just to build endurance while sparing my knees.

[bluelikejazz]

Running a marathon isn't for everyone...

[bumppkathleen]

May 21, 2012 10:36:04 GMT -5 bluelikejazz said:

Running a marathon isn't for everyone...

Obviously, but I am waiting for a doctor to tell me it isn't for me! Maybe I should just call him and see what he thinks. He doesn't run marathons but he treats people who do so he should have some perspective.

[starryfish]

May 21, 2012 10:23:56 GMT -5 @bumppkathleen said:

May 21, 2012 10:14:47 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

What plans have you followed? If you keep getting hurt in training, that says to me that your training needs to change--not that you need to rush through the race itself to head off injury.

I trained with a trainer for the SB marathon and then with the LA Roadrunners for the LA Marathon. Apparently I have hyper flexible hips which are great for yoga and horrible for running.

After the LA Marathon training failure I went to a sports medicine doctor and he told me to only do a 3 month ramp up next time, and not to do more than four runs (spread out) longer than 10 miles in training. Whether that will work I don't know. I sort of got the impression from him he thinks I should just run it with a base of weekly 10 milers but maybe that's not what he was really saying. I was also maybe thinking I could train by doing 10 mile runs and then 20 mile bike rides or something. Just to build endurance while sparing my knees.

I dont know how that is a good plan, only running 4 runs longer than 10 miles for marathon training! I ran at least 7 that were 10+miles and I felt that was too little and felt like I was undertrained.

[thom]

I'll jump in with a little bit of (hopefully encouraging) personal experience. I did my 1st half in 2009 and it was rough, but I survived. I dud another half in 2010 and improved my time, but I still had little aches and pains and would be so exhausted after 10 mile + runs that recovery would consume my next few days. I wanted to do a full, but I figured maybe I just "wasn't meant to run marathons."

I was patient over the summer of 2010 and tried to focus on some stretching, strength and solid weekday mileage with speedwork thrown in. By January of 2011 something just clicked. My body responded better to the mileage, I got fitted for a pair of shoes that worked WAY better for my foot shape and running stride, and things went pretty well for marathon training. I had a few injury scares, but I backed off right away for a few days each time, and I was able to keep training.

I know this is long, but I guess I'm just trying to say that I think you can train for and run a marathon, it just takes a lot of build up and patience. I'm sure it's been hard and disappointing to have your efforts stopped twice by injury, and I know I would be beyond frustrated as well. I still think your best bet is just enjoy the 1/2 in SD and then work to keep up your base, and find a plan with lots of cross training to help keep you injury free. Good luck!

[Guest]

May 21, 2012 10:38:17 GMT -5 @bumppkathleen said:

May 21, 2012 10:36:04 GMT -5 bluelikejazz said:

Running a marathon isn't for everyone...

Obviously, but I am waiting for a doctor to tell me it isn't for me! Maybe I should just call him and see what he thinks. He doesn't run marathons but he treats people who do so he should have some perspective.

I don't know if this is a dumb suggestion but can you find a sports medicine doctor who runs? My sports medicine doctor is a avid marathoner and has been an awesome. He really "gets me/runners" and would be honest if he thought I was attempting something crazy! Good luck with whatever you decide!