Last week's 18 miles was great. I felt great during it and felt great afterwards. Monday came and I still felt great and did my normal strength training for my cross-train day. Tuesday came and my run felt slow but I didn't think much about it, still felt pretty much OK. Wednesday is when it started going downhill as I mentioned in Thursday's post. Thursday's run was better but still slow. Friday is when things really started to go downhill but I'm pretty sure it all relates back to the 18 miles and probably being more worn out from it than I realized, it just took awhile for it to set in.
Friday is my rest day and after work, I headed over to the animal shelter as I often do to walk a few dogs. After the first couple, I took out a young, large, extremely energetic dog who proceeded to bite and attack my legs and ankles like crazy. It was all in play but it freaking hurt and I had a terrible time getting him to stop. It wasn't just nipping at my feet, it was full mouth around my leg and just kept flipping from one to the other. I finally got him settled down enough to get him to pull me into one of the dogs runs where I played fetch with him to drain some of his energy. He took another round on my legs and ankles before I finished his walk. The next dog was full of energy too and a jumper but I can handle that better than the ankle biting. I'm still certainly glad I took the dogs out for the day because it just shows how much energy they needed to get out from being cooped up in the kennels but man, these two wore me out. After them, I took out a small cocker spaniel to redeem myself and then called it a day!
On Saturday morning, I set out for a 5 mile run and could feel some slight pain in my left achilles and some shin pain on my right leg. This is what I had last Wednesday too so I knew something was up. Add the fact that my legs were just really sore from all the bruises from the dogs and it wasn't really a stellar run. I didn't think doing 20 the next day was a good idea. The pain I'm experiencing is mild but I know from the past that these are the types of things that are only going to get worse if I continue to push it. I had some achilles pain after my 2nd half marathon but it went away with rest and the shin pain just feels like shin splints which I've certainly had before and those only go away with rest too.
I may have had a bit of an emotional breakdown on Saturday...my husband will say that is an understatement. But, I had my little fit and accepted it by that night.
I skipped the 20 miler. I know I shouldn't be skipping the long runs but by the time I realized the issue, that's where I was. I'm hoping the extra rest and an easy week with some extra rest will get me back on track. It sucks that I've gone this far without issues but I'm not going to freak out about this, there is still time to get everything working the way it should. I'll just do one 20 miler instead of 2 in preparation for the big day! Probably serves me right for picking an intermediate program with two 20 milers scheduled anyway!
Now, hopefully these bruises go away soon.
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I was tagged by elizabethlacy at canyon cairns for the Cherry on Top award. I've seen this floating around a lot of blogs. Here goes:
Rules:
1. Answer this question: If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?
From time to time I'll say I wish I would've (fill in the blank). However, in reality, I know I wouldn't be where I am today if I would have changed anything in my past. I probably would not have had that first post college job, wouldn't have met my now husband, etc., so I'll say nope, wouldn't change anything. Everything happened for a reason.
2. Secondly, pick 6 people and give them this award. Make sure to inform the person that they have gotten this award!
I feel weird picking people for things like this so I'll be a party pooper and not tag anyone. If I comment on your blog from time to time, it means I like it! Haha!
3. Be sure to thank the person who gave you the award.
But, even though I'm not tagging anyone, I will say thanks for passing this on to me!
Listening to your body and altering your training plan so it works for you is all part of marathon training! GOOD FOR YOU. I'm sure you'll be thanking yourself come race day!!
ReplyDeleteabbi, you are a rock star ... taking a day off here or there is no problem.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the award
Keep on Runnin!
You did the right thing. You'll be fine. I did 18 miler during my first marathon training cycle and finished. You are way ahead of me!
ReplyDeleteSome times a rest can work wonders.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay Abbi. I am glad you listened to your body. You needed the rest.
ReplyDeleteSo, you walk dogs at the animal shelter? That is so neat! I admire that.
I know that "breakdown" feeling, I've had a few myself. In the end, our butts are going to run a MARATHON! ...and I am sure you will do great. :)
Sounds like you made the right choice. You may not ever be entirely sure if it was the right choice, but alternatively you'd know for sure if you made the wrong choice if it turned into something serious and/or lingering. From what I've read on your blog so far, missing one long run will not set you back, or dissuade you from your goals. Enjoy the rest and feel better soon.
ReplyDeletei had a similiar week like yours Abbi. Sometimes you just need to take a day!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing the right thing. We are too close to our marathon days to risk getting hurt. That's the main reason I'm staying home with my cold today. I could have made it to work, but I know that if I hung low today there's a greater chance I could nip this in the bud and be back on my feet tomorrow. I hope the rest works out well for the both of us!
ReplyDeleteI think you made the right decision to skip the run this time around since you were already hurting. That's so sweet that you walk puppies, too bad they're such ankle biters!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your run - but taking a much needed rest day is always good when you aren't feeling 100%. I would have done the same. And my marathon training plan only calls for one 20 miler - so I'm sure your training will be just fine. Hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to feeling better soon! I'm sure you'll heal fast. It's so hard taking breaks like that!
ReplyDeleteAnd, good for you to walk animal shelter dogs. You know how I feel about dogs...terrified! What's with that one "playfully" biting your ankles??!!
I think it's great that you listened to your body... It's better to do that then to push forward and have an injury occur.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I have had to adjust the training schedule a bit. I rarely do the Saturday longish run anymore. I skipped it the week of my 18 so my legs would be more fresh. It made a big difference for me. So from now on, I am only doing a max of 4 miles the day before my Long run days.
I had to switch my training around, so this weekend I will be doing 12 and then I will do my 20 milers 2 weekends in a row. It's not ideal to do back-to-back 20 milers, but there is a 20 mile race I want to do on Sept 11. I am obviously not going to 'race' this. It will be a training run. I did this same run for my Twin Cities marathon in 2006 and it was SO nice to run those miles w/ other people for a change! And there are gatorade stops every 2 miles so it's nice to not have to run w/ fuel for a change!
YOu'll get back on track. Even if you only get 1 20 miler in, you''ll be fine! I only did 1 20 miler when I did my first marathon.
good for you for listening to your body and adapting to what you need to do this thing right! so many runners do not listen and wind up either injured or really disappointed with their performance/experience on race day. you are smart! i know it sucks to have to make decisions like this, but you will be better off in the long run (pun sort of not intended, but it works!). hope you have a great week!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to give yourself a break and let whatever you needed to get out - out.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't able to run this weekend either. I don't know what happened to me but I got the worst case of heavy legs I've ever had and I simply could not run. Instead, I walked.
I know it can be emotionally disconcerting to have to take a bit of a break, but I definitely think this was the smart decision. I hope your bruises and other injuries heal quickly!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your pain! But... it is better to take it easy and skip a long run than aggravate it and possibly make it worse. Hope you feel better soon! (PS - I have an award for you on my blog :D )
ReplyDeleteLike I said, rest is best, and I'll save you a spot for that 20 mile recap! Still excited to read it!
ReplyDeleteI have only one 20 miler on my training plan...as long as you get the next one in, you'll be fine! Listening to your body and resting is always a smart choice:)
ReplyDeleteI think you made the right decision. It is hard to miss such a long run but with an 18 miler done you don't too much to worry about! You don't want to get injured. I have a friend whose longest run before a marathon was 15 miles. Probably not the best approach but better than being injured!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice comment on my blog about the medals vs. conquering a fear -- you're totally right. :)
ReplyDeletei was just catching up on your posts and I'm so sorry to hear about the pain you are in. You definitely are thinking with your head instead of with your feet, and I commend you for that.
I secretly have a wild desire to become a dog walker someday. I've always worried it would drain me of my energy to run -- I never even thought about the fact THAT THEY BITE! Yikes! Thanks for the friendly reminder. :)
Keep resting, and you'll feel 110% soon. You'll be even more ready to get back into it.
xoxo,
A
I think you made the right decision by taking the rest your body obviously needed. Although I don't run as far as you do I found myself in the same position at the beginning of last week and I decided to add recovery weeks to my training.
ReplyDeleteI don't do a long run and interval in my recovery week (which is this week) and I take an extra day of rest. For the rest I still run and do my other workouts. It felt as such a relief once I made that decision, my running went much better after that and I'm sure I can continue my half marathon training strong next week.
Oh Abbi,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about the issue with the dog and the lack of energy. I have been doing some longer runs on the weekends too. If it makes you feel any better, I feel tired and super slow. My body is just not used to going more than 13.1:) Please take care of yourself and get the proper rest! You will be fine...stay positive:)
Good call! It's too late in the game to gamble with an injury!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you made a hard decision, but one that was right for you at the time. Hope you recover quickly and your bruises heal soon too. Have a good week!
ReplyDeletedogs biting at your ankles?! Yikes! I think you did the right thing about the long run, and everyone deserves a freak out session every once in a while. Hope you're doing okay now.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the missed 20 but it isn't the end of the world. The rest will do you good! You are wonderful to walk shelter dogs...sorry about the overly energetic one though!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of you to walk some shelter pups! I hate when dogs aren't well-behaved... So many idiotic down owners out there.
ReplyDeleteBetter to have skipped the 20 than induce more aches and pains! Try foam-rolling shins? Helps mine...
I love that you volunteer at the shelter. It must be so hard to leave the little guys there.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are back to normal and feeling better. You did the right thing in listening to your body!
It's interesting...... I've seen a TON of these awards (and received one myself) and probably 90% have said that they wouldn't change anything. We all have lived great lives!
ReplyDelete