the marathon that wasn’t

(I realize that you probably can’t read this at all, but I don’t feel like uploading a real picture right now. Basically it’s just 2 days of running each week, 1 day of another workout (I usually did free weights/stretching) and then a long run on the weekend. It’s a 12 week program, but I only did 8 of those weeks.)

The reason I picked this schedule was because it was the shortest distance I could find, which meant fewer runs in the snow.

But seriously – before you criticize me for being an idiot and training for such a short period of time, let me explain that running in 25 degrees with an icy wind in your face both directions (how does that even happen? someone explain it to me) is like hell…but opposite, because it’s cold. COLD COLD COLD. It was either endless miles on a conveyor belt (aka treadmill) in a window-less, ghetto gym, frostbite from running outside, or a short training plan.

I picked up at week 3, and planned on just training to 20 miles, so the entire plan would be 8 weeks. Guess what? It was working! I trained all the way to 18 miles with no problem. I fell in love with the feeling of long runs. As soon as the weather warmed up a bit and my mileage increased, I was in heaven every Saturday morning when I laced up my new Saucony’s, chugged some coconut water, and hit the pavement with my music grooving me along to the beat of a 3 hour jog. I would come back mildly rosy from the sun, totally high from the endorphins, and excited about crossing a marathon finish line!

And then it happened…

The very same day that I announced on facebook that I’ll be running a marathon (why did I do that…) I started feeling pain in my left achilles tendon. The same one that caused me problems a few years ago when I did an 8 mile jog just for the fun of it without training.

From the second I felt the pain, I knew I wouldn’t be able to run the race in 3 weeks. It’s a familiar pain for me, so it wasn’t difficult to determine that I had a mild case of achilles tendonitis that needed

Rest

Ice

Compression

Elevation

The past week I’ve been babying my poor little heel, and it’s getting much better. I went on a few 4 mile jogs, followed by lots of ice and some anti-inflammatory ibuprofen, and I’m not feeling any pain. I’m glad I caught it early on and decided to rest my foot and not push it through the marathon, because that could have resulted in serious long-term injury.

I’m totally bummed I can’t run the race! My lungs and legs felt fine for all of my long runs! And the thing I was especially worried about, which is the mental hurdle of running a marathon, wasn’t a problem. Actually, it was the 7 and 8 mile jogs that were more challenging for me than the 16 and 18 milers. I’m not sure why this was. Maybe because I spent the day prior to a double digit run mentally preparing, loading up on carbs, and resting, so I was always completely ready for those, while the shorter runs were usually “role-out-of-bed-and-just-go.”

Anyway, I’ve learned the following:

1. The challenge of a marathon is pushing yourself to the limit, not past the limit….it’s easy to go too far. A physical challenge (like a marathon) is a combination of physical and mental toughness. If you’re stronger in one area or the other, it can create a problem. I found out that I’m stronger mentally than physically. So, while my mind kept saying, just run, go out and do 20 miles! It’s not that hard! my body was telling me that I should go a little bit easier.

2. Only increase mileage by 10% each week. I’ve heard this a trillion times, and I (of course) chose to learn the hard way that I’m not super woman. I jumped from 10 to 14 to 16 to 18 miles, and anyone could tell you that this is not a great way to train for a marathon. Maybe if it was my 10th or 20th marathon, my body could handle that. But for a first timer, this was just stupid.

3. I enjoy long distance running! Even though my training story had a sad ending, I’m so happy to figure out that multiple hours of running is enjoyable for me! I’m excited for my tendon to completely heal so I can (properly) train for a marathon in the fall. Anyone else want to join me for the Dallas Marathon in December?