running for a purpose

44 notes

Being honest with yourself…

…is really, really hard sometimes. 

Even just walking around today, my Achilles hurts. Not extreme pain, but enough to tell me something isn’t right.

NOLA is two weeks from today. 

I have two consecutive marathons at the end of April/beginning of March. Warrior Dash in  May. A 50k in July. Half marathons in July and September. A marathon in October, November, and December. 

I want to be able to run those races injury free. Running is what I love, and what I want to do. 

I’m really trying to be smart. As much as I do not want to drop down to the half marathon at NOLA, I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be the best idea. I don’t want to be out of commission because I ignored the little Achilles tweak, that possibly may be nothing, but turned into a full blown tear. I have no doubt I could run and finish the marathon, but I need to make the right decision. I have a feeling this will be another split second decision like St. Jude’s was.

What would you do? 

  1. kayladoeslife said: As much as I want to tell you to push it, this is an injury. Don’t play with your body. NOLA would be super fun, but you have sooo much more on your schedule that you need to take care of. Don’t let a very possible worsening of the injury halt you.
  2. leadoeslife said: Drop it like it’s hot. While a half may not be what your ultimate goal was, it is still nothing to sneeze at. With your full schedule you just have to take care of yourself.
  3. baileerunsthroughlife said: this is the same question I’ve been asking myself. Would it make more sense to do the half now and hope for better in Nashville? I’m not sure either.
  4. runsforredvelvet said: I saw do the Half with me! :) Better to be safe than sorry!!
  5. run-doozer-run said: If finishing the race would mean potentially injuring you for much longer, if not forever, it isn’t worth it. It is only one race. And you have a 50 coming up! Your call :)
  6. markicksass said: Do the half if you are feeling good. Don’t run at all if it’s still hurting. (That’s my good advice). What would I actually do, I don’t know… I probably should not have run today. Being injured sucks. I am sorry! :( I am doing the 1/2 in NO
  7. runningwithguts said: AHEM: longest text message ever.
  8. carolynruns said: I’ll echo what everyone else has already said, and add that I feel your pain (literally!). With other fulls lined up, at least you’ll still be able to race!
  9. amiegoesactive said: Half.
  10. shortmom said: half! so what if you miss a full? the only person who cares is yourself, and you’d care in the opposite way if doing a full “just because” stopped you from doing regular 5-milers for weeks after.
  11. pharmkitten said: I’m wrestling with this as well due to under training not injury. I think the half and full start at the same place and you can decide at mile 13 whether to finish or go on if you want to. I’ll be deciding for sure on race day morning..
  12. rindyrunsforherlife said: If it will help secure the rest of your races for the year then you should probably do the half instead. Plus you’ll get to cheer everyone else on at the finish line! Do what you think is right.
  13. hayruns said: Yikes, that’s a tough one. :( I think you should just REALLY listen to your body for the next 2 weeks and pay attention to every little detail. Not enough to make you paranoid, but just don’t let your brain gloss it over.
  14. regainingmymoxy said: The half.
  15. jrfred said: I’d drop down to the half, especially with all the races you have this year
  16. runningforme said: I have plantar fasciitis that has been acting up since my last half in January. I finally made the decision to only do the half for NOLA since I don’t want to be out of commission for weeks after it. Do what feels best to you and your body.
  17. mollierunsherbunsoff said: Since you have other fulls planned, I’d drop to the half. Achilles injuries are no joke. My dad severed his playing basketball, had to have surgery, and hasn’t been the same since. It’s not worth a devastating injury.
  18. missmarisol said: What countdowntooz said times 10000. Don’t pressure/push yourself to the point of injury. Running a 1/2 isn’t something easy. Take pride in being able to do what a lot of people wish they could do.
  19. brooksylite said: Heal up. Half would be more fun.
  20. strengthforsuze said: If I were you, given your injury record, I would drop down to the half for this one so you can save yourself for the rest. I know it seems important now, but being able to race any distance is better than none.
  21. lostweightgainedlove said: See how you feel day of?
  22. countdowntooz said: I think you know deep down what is the right decision. Try to listen to your body and not feel pressured to do what everyone else is doing. It is your journey, at your pace.
  23. fat-to-fast posted this