active network espn
Active Home | Directory | Community | eteamz | Results | Support Support | Event Directors & Organizers
Community: Exchange advice in the forums and read running commentary Resources: Personal running log, calculators, links and other tools for runners News: Running news from around the world Training: Articles and advice about fitness, race training and injury prevention Races/Results: Find upcoming races and past results Home: The Cool Running homepage
Cool Running homepage  Search Cool Running Community
Up to Threads in Basic Training
5 Replies Last post: Aug 21, 2007 12:07 PM by figbash  
Click to view brisner's profile Amateur
brisner
9 posts since
Jan 27, 2001
Login to Reply

Aug 20, 2007 11:39 AM

Marathon Training Question

My Wife and I began training for the Chicago Marathon back in February. We built a good base of 20 mpw for several months before beginning the 17-week beginner marathon training schedule from marathon.com (?) Everything was going well, until 2 weeks ago. We were on our first 20 mile run when my wife started having knee problems. I knew it was an IT band issue since I've had ITB problems in the past. She has taken about 10 days of rest. She started back slowly last week after having applied ice religiously and frequent stretching and use of the foam roller. These strategies worked for my ITB problems. Anyway, last week she successfully ran a couple of 4 milers with no pain. My question is....now what? We have 6 weeks to go. Should she jump right back into the training? Our schedule for the remaining long runs is 21,14,8,22,12,10, Marathon. Should she try the 8 miler this weekend? Any suggestions for her?
Click to view HDH's profile Legend
HDH
335 posts since
Aug 19, 2007
1. Aug 20, 2007 2:22 PM in response to: brisner
Re: Marathon Training Question
Some will recommend she go back to the point in the plan where she left off and re-start from there.

When coming back from a full week off, I have used the "doubling" technique.

Certainly it would not be wise to jump into a 21 miler after 10 days of rest.
Login to Reply
Click to view brisner's profile Amateur
brisner
9 posts since
Jan 27, 2001
2. Aug 20, 2007 3:56 PM in response to: brisner
Re: Marathon Training Question
No no......she won't run 21miles this weekend. I guess I'm just trying to help her plan out this final 6 weeks so she can finish the marathon. The longest run prior to the 20 miler was 18 miles 2 weeks prior to the injury. I'm thinking she should try to run 8 or so this weekend, then take it form there. Any suggetions would be great.
Login to Reply
Click to view Teresa05's profile Pro
Teresa05
127 posts since
May 28, 2006
3. Aug 20, 2007 5:22 PM in response to: brisner
Re: Marathon Training Question
Your wife's situation sounds just like mine. My friend I have been training for Chicago since May. I started having ITB problems a couple of weeks ago in the middle of week 12 of our training schedule, which was a "recovery" week with a 12 mile long run. I didn't do the 12 miles and took 10 days off. This week was my first week back. I ran 4 then 6 then 12. I guess I just picked up where I left off, but that's because it was a "slow" week. I wouldn't have run any more than 12; I had to re-adjust to running for that amount of miles. I wasn't sure what to expect as far as my ITB and my endurance. I just went for it, and it actually went really well. My knee is sore today, but I'll just continue to ice. I'm in too deep with this training and the commitment to it to just let it go. I may not win that race, but I'm doing it, and I'm very excited about it. Good luck to you and your wife!
Login to Reply
Click to view Ksabbo's profile Pro
Ksabbo
61 posts since
Jun 11, 2002
4. Aug 20, 2007 6:16 PM in response to: brisner
Re: Marathon Training Question
IMHO 10 days off can really be a blessing in disguise. It isn't enough to have a big impact on the training she already has under her belt, and can also be a great rest period. I would suggest jumping right into the schedule to keep on track with your marathon but modify her first three mid week runs (a bit lower mileage) to ease back into it. A long run this weekend of approx. 10 would be fine unless the ITB flares up during the mid week.

Karen
Login to Reply
Click to view figbash's profile Legend
figbash
617 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
5. Aug 21, 2007 12:07 PM in response to: brisner
Re: Marathon Training Question
There are reasons your wife had ITB problems in the first place and unless those reasons have been addressed, the ITBS will return, probably with her next long run.

Make sure that her shoes are fresh and that she has not been running on ground that slopes to the side like heavily crowned roads or shoulders. Some strengthening exercises for her hip adductors and abductors are in order as well.

Most importantly, if she has ITB issues during a long run or the marathon tell her not to run through it. I tried that once and it took a full year to recover.

Tom

------------------
My Profile[/URL" target="_blank">
My Running Log[/URL" target="_blank">
Login to Reply

Actions

More Like This