Football instead of a short run?

Hi all,

Just after a bit of advice as I'm training for my second marathon and am 3 weeks in to my program (Hal Higdon Novice 1).

I currently run Tue - Wed - Thu and do the long run on Saturday morning.

I've now got chance to play football on a Monday night which I love.

So, Just wondering if I can 'substitute' an hour or so playing football on Monday night for Tuesday night's short run? It's only ever a maximum of 5 miles on Tuesday so I'm thinking it wouldn't be too much of a bind to miss it?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Lee

Comments

  • Whilst I could imagine the substitution of a short run for an hours football is unlikely to have a huge determential impact on your training, my biggest fear would the increased likelihood of injury.

    Consider something a little less contact orientated, rugby perhapsimage

  • I'm not keen on the three days consecutive running either.

    Did the plan suggest that ?
  • I'd worry about injury too.

  • RamjetRamjet ✭✭✭

    You could run to the football venue and run home afterwards image

    Seriously though I wouldn't have thought it would make a big difference. Hal himself says you can be flexible but don't miss out the long runs.

    You just have to accept that you might get injured. If you are happy with that risk (and your marathon wasn't too expensive!) then go for it.

  • Thanks for all the input guys, really appreciate it. 

    I need to give it some more thought as it didn't cross my mind about increased chances of injuries. The football is a fairly lighthearted affair with work colleagues, but there's still twisting/stretching etc.

  • leeee wrote (see)

    Thanks for all the input guys, really appreciate it. 

    I need to give it some more thought as it didn't cross my mind about increased chances of injuries. The football is a fairly lighthearted affair with work colleagues, but there's still twisting/stretching etc.


    Last time I played with Work Mates it was never lighthearted,imageI think for Marathon training the LSR is the one you cannot skip

  • I second (or third or fourth) the injury, I've just broken my arm ( don't ask) playing 5 a side kissball as a form of cross training

  • MillsyMillsy ✭✭✭
    I think it comes down to what you want to get out of the running.

    I used to be able to combine rugby (1 match and 1 training session per week) with my marathon training and still be able to get "average" results.

    To make the step up to getting a GFA I cut down to playing a match every couple of weeks. This year I hardly played at all but have now scraped a sub 3.
  • Hello all,

    Just thought I'd do a bit of an update here, in case anyone else reads this and is wondering about the same question .....

    So, I decided to swap a game of football for one of the training runs. I really enjoy playing football and I decided to sign up and take it easy.

    I had two games and all went well, until Monday night, when I turned to recieve a pass, twisted and fell on the ground in a crumpled mess. I instantly feared I'd ruptured my cruciate ligament again as it was exactly the same pain as when I've done it before.

    I got first aid and went to hospital last night to get it checked out. Thankfully, they don't think it's a rupture, but can't be certain until I go see the specialist/physio next week. At the very least it's a bad twist.

    I should be OK for London next year, but it's probably scuppered my chances of the Yorkshire marathon in October. Absolutely gutted.

    So there you go. I took the chance and it back fired. Damn.

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