When Things Don’t Go As Planned

I’m feeling pretty down about marathon training lately. Right now I’m supposed to be deep in training, running 30+ miles a week, running strong and getting faster. Instead, I’m behind on my long runs and struggling to get through my week day runs.

Lately my left calf has been bothering me. I’m assuming its because since my right foot has been fighting PF, my left leg is making up for it. I attempted a run last night but instead of struggling through five miles, I stopped after a half a mile and opted for a stretch session of a warm vinyasa yoga class, which was probably a really great decision.

Needless to say, my training is not going as planned. How come some people can run many many miles without ever getting hurt–yet I struggle through nagging aches and pains ?

I’ve been doing physical therapy for my PF for the past two weeks and it seems to be helping. I do my stretching exercises and I have virtually no foot pain during the day. The only time its a bit sore is after running, but its much better than it was.

I guess I just imagined that this training cycle would go just as well as the first. I had no injuries, ran pain free and without a care in the world. This time around is just a struggle. Its not fair! I want so badly to run Vermont City in May. Sorry if this post sounds like a bunch of complaints. I just needed to vent about how frustrated I am!

8 Comments

Candice

April 11, 2013 at 1:49 pm Reply

That legit sucks. Ever since healing from an injury I have realized that being able to run is such a gift.

Running LIbrarian

April 11, 2013 at 2:14 pm Reply

do you hurt when you walk? Maybe you want to try and concentrate on trying to get some walking miles in to keep up fitness and not run as many days to try and heal up…sucks when we have injuries and we have a race we are training for. Keep doing what you are doing and hopefully everything will work out.
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Jen

April 11, 2013 at 2:20 pm Reply

nope, the calf is fine when walking, yoga, cycling. only twinges when i start to run. sometimes it doesn’t hurt at all, other times it feels pretty bad to where I don’t want to continue running on it.

Liz (Little Bitty Bakes)

April 11, 2013 at 5:55 pm Reply

Aw, Jen, I know how you’re feeling! Sometimes training goes so smoothly, and sometimes it seems to be everything but smooth. Try not to be too hard on yourself — think of everything you’ve already accomplished as a runner, and how long ahead you have as a runner. You’re doing the right thing now by resting!
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Kristin

April 12, 2013 at 11:31 am Reply

I completely understand this and your need to complain. I’m supposed to be about 5 weeks into half-marathon training, and two horrible back-pain episodes in a month means I’m basically still at square one. The fact that my doctor appointments are all relatively spread out just makes it more frustrating, because it seems to be taking forever to get back to running. And the worst is being afraid I’ll hurt it more. It’s really frustrating, and I feel you completely.
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Anna@fitgirlwannabe

April 13, 2013 at 11:08 pm Reply

I’m struggling with some stuff too…it was encouraging to hear a runner friend tell me today that she took FOUR weeks off before a marathon one time to heal an Achilles injury. That made me feel better =) So if you need to stop running for a week or two to heal up-do it!! Great job listening to your body =)
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