I'm due to run in the Brighton Marathon next weekend and am looking for some guidance / advice for a possible injury. I've run 4 marathons previously and am looking to run a London GFA time (sub 3:10).
I've had some shin problems in the past, due to that and quite a busy work schedule, my training has pretty much been 3 runs a week - Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday. This has all worked quite well and I've been feeling quite confident of hitting my goal time - I've run 22 miles on 5 separate occasions and have on the whole not suffered any ill effects.
However, last Tuesday (26/3) towards the end of my run I had a pain on the outside of my left ankle. I didn't think much of it as I hadn't had anything like it in the past and it felt as much like I'd suffered a kick on the ankle as much as anything else. As I still felt a bit tender on Thursday I did the sensible thing and didn't run.
Things felt OK on Sunday, so I went for my long run (22 miles). I felt the ankle was a bit sore after 8 miles, but nothing genuinely painful, such that I'd easily forget about it for long periods of time, so I carried on.
On the whole, I didn't feel too bad after the run on Sunday, albeit again there was some tenderness around the ankle and achilles area. Therefore rather than run on Tuesday I went for a long bike ride.
However, I've just been out for a run as things had felt ok, but I stopped at around 6 miles as I was beginning to get quite sharp pains through my achilles and my calf. I think I did the right thing as although I could probably have continued it was getting sore. It doesn't feel too bad right now and I can walk around on it ok.
So, what should be my plan between now and Brighton?
Should I just refrain from running until the marathon in the hope that it gives it the best possible chance of recovery?
Should I have a run on Sunday to see how it is?
Any general advice / rehabilitation suggestions will be greatly received.
Thanks!
Comments
see a professional for a proper diagnosis and rehab programme would be my advice
Yep, I would go and see someone. It might just need a tweak/massage to sort it out but you are a good runner and you wouldn't want to damage yourself long term and you would probably miss your goal as well.