Okay, so when is it safe to start running again after a marathon? The common wisdom is to give it a week. I've started right up again with no ill effects, and I've been surprised by lurking injuries a week or two out. So far, I'm being careful. Tuesday and Wednesday of last week were spent walking all over Rome. This seemed to help keep things loose. Friday, Saturday and Monday, I did light spin workouts, and swam. Sunday I just swam. Okay, I admit it, on Friday I also took a two mile run to check out
this awesome addition to my running options, but that doesn't really count, right?
Anyway, so far, the only thing that's bothering me is that tendon on the top of your foot that hurts when you tie your shoe laces too tight. Oddly, it didn't hurt during or after the race. I think this may be a tourism injury, but it even hurts (indeed especially hurts) when I swim. Oh well, I'm viewing it as a short term enforcer of recovery. Hopefully it will run its course shortly, because I'm itching to run over that bridge again. Did I mention, it bounces!
My 2c: run in the pool this week. I can see no value to running too early unless you have a race, like, next week. Last you blogged it, your goal was a fall-time reprise of your phenomenal PR from last year. 5 miles today will have nothing to do with that except possibly by preventing its happening (if you hurt yourself).
ReplyDeleteThat said, I've never followed this advice. We get home, we feel great, and we want more!
Sound advice. Next goals are (1) Brooklyn Half in May, and (2) NYC Tri in July. Rest today, bike and swim tomorrow, then take stock.
ReplyDeleteHey that is the same tendon or whatever that is bothering me! Top of the left foot. I had a gentle jog but mainly have been erging. Feel great! Wonder if the tendon on top of foot thing is from cobbles? Weird.
ReplyDeletePS next goals are to get faster. So Oxford Town and Gown 10k in May, then Halfs in the summer, plus the rowing. Then an autumn marathon, maybe a minute / mile faster, ie a return to my usual plateau of 3.30s. Then next year over two marathons I would like to get to my PB (3.16) and then, in 2015, I want to make the serious bid for Sub3. I am writing this to you guys so you keep me honest, and when I go off on one and do silly things you reel me back and say "dude, remember your goal". Too many times over the years I have broken down over high mileage and too much training, hence long periods of injury or the plateaus. Now I want to Run Less Run Faster, like the book says. Sub3 in my Fiftieth year, or before, would be AWESOME. (I cannot believe I am writing all this after hobbling around with the plantar problemo for so long!!!). Hoo-HA. Currahee!
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. Both feet for me, though more on the right. Maybe it was the combination of the cobbles and the Kinvaras. I did find myself wishing for a bit of a stiffer sole at points during the race. The arch is a bit knotty on the underside in the same place, though it only hurts if I poke it. It doesn't really hurt when I jog. It is most annoying when I flutter kick in the pool with pointed toes. I am pretty sure it will pass.
ReplyDeleteShort term Marathon goal is 3:40 or bust. I really would like to justify Max's faith and crack 3:30 to qualify for Boston, but that still seems like a reach to me. Here's to meeting you next year on the plateau of the 3:30s!
ReplyDeleteI have had the same thing periodically on the top of my foot. At Ted's suggestion (which he has apparently forgotten)I changed the lacing of the shoe on that foot from a criss-cross to an up the side pattern which did wonders.
ReplyDeleteMy recovery was a lot simpler because my exertion was a lot less. Yesterday I did a 4.5 outdoor run/walk at the same pace and run/walk ration as in Rome. Things continue to improve but a long way to go to true race form. I hope to do a half in the spring and a full marathon in the late summer/fall.
Haven't forgotten. The problem is that it doesn't help with the swimming . . .
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