Marathon Training Hiatus

Roughly two weeks ago, I was finishing up an easy 5 miler around Patriot Lake, when I got the oddest sensation on the outside of my left foot. I ran the last quarter of a mile on it, and by the time I was finished, the pain had grown quite severe and left me unable to apply any sort of pressure. I iced it, rested, and woke up the next morning limping. For somebody who has dedicated the past 15 weeks to marathon training, this is a devastating development. I stayed off of it all week, had an unrevealing and inconclusive visit with an orthopedic, ran a painful 6 on Friday, and haven’t run since.

I understand that injuries come with the territory, and that if I am going to run the amount of mileage that I do, injuries are a natural side effect. Even so, I deplore them. I am concerned that my lack of training is destroying my marathon chances, but at the same time, attempting to run a marathon on an injured foot has got to be even more detrimental.

So, I wait.  And I continue raising money for those sweet souls at St. Jude. And I ask that you please oh please find it in your heart to contribute just $5 to the cause. ~~~> www.mystjudeheroes.org/melissam

I’ve purchased a new pair of running shoes, cushioned insoles, and a roll of athletic tape, and because I am impatient, I will be trying them out tonight on the treadmill. And if that goes well, then I will be a happy girl and feel like I can still salvage this month of training. And if it does not, then I guess I’ll just have to wait a little longer. The beautiful thing is, there are plenty of other marathons out there. If I don’t get to run St. Jude at the level I am hoping, there are always other opportunities, and for that I am thankful.