Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

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I haven't run since Tuesday's 3 mile attempt.  The run felt awesome and my splits were pretty even.  9:12, 8:58 and 9:12.  I even made sure to turn around so I wouldn't have to walk too much to get home.

I've been pretty good about using the foam roller and roll both sides 30x each at least once a day.  And, before that run, I spent time warming up (did all the exercises in my marathon training book) and stretching after the run.

However, I decided to lay off on the running since I think my left leg is compensating for the right leg now.  My ITB didn't pull a lot when I was walking to and from the train station to work, but it would pull a little on the way from the train to the car.

Work has a pedometer challenge going on now too.  We have a fitness director at our HQ office and he calculates the average amount of steps you are supposed to take per day based on the 5 day forecast.  For this week, we are to take an average of 8000 steps.  If you maintain that, you will be entered into a drawing for a prize.  If you double and triple it, you will be entered into a better drawing for better prizes (I think).  Plus, our office will start up one on our own too.

See, this would not be an issue at all if I could run.  I checked it online and apparently, there are 2000 steps per mile.  So, I could hit my 8000/day and then some easily.  Now, that I'm erring on the side of caution, I'm walking to get the steps in and so far it's been going OK.

The bf and I have walked almost every night and we walked around the lake by my house for over an hour this morning before volunteer work.  Anyway, I digress.

I took a hard look at myself and thought about my goals.  I want to be a runner long term.  I admire people who can run several races year in and year out.  I admire my dad for being 65 and still able to run three days a week consistently and run races.  That's where I want to be when I get older.  I don't want to run for a few years and be done with it.  I genuinely enjoy all the health benefits that you get out of running.

So, if it means missing out on the marathon this year and suffering a bit of a financial loss (due to not being able to run the marathon or Ragnar) then that's OK because I want to be doing this long term.  Maybe if I get back into shape quick (after the ITB rehab - depending on how bad it is) then I can still train with the marathon group and just not run the race - that way, I'll get something out of it.  And, if I can make it through the 20 miler in September, then maybe I'll just go for it.  I know that if I get to the starting line of that marathon then I will find a way to finish (unless I seriously have an injury and have to stop).

I've been getting a bit of advice from people I know and I'm listening to their opinions, but at the end of the day, the decision will be mine and it depends on what the sports medicine doctor recommends.

I've been told to just push through the pain - that running is mental and that I'm going to hurt during the training so I should just go for it.

My argument to that is this:  1) I did not expect to hurt now or really until I get to the middle of the program when the mileage really kicks up and 2) running through the pain is not necessarily the best thing to do anyway.

I would say that I was in pretty decent shape pre-injury and the distances for the marathon didn't look too daunting since I've done half marathons before.  Granted, I wasn't running 4 days and cross training on the 5th.  But, nevertheless.

I feel like such a SLACKER.  I see people running in 90 degree weather and I just feel like a lazy fat ass.  At least I'm walking to get to my steps for our pedometer challenge, but nevertheless.

My game plan is this: lay off the running until I see the sports med doctor on Thursday.  There's really no need to chance it now and sustain more injuries due to other body parts compensating for the rest.

I'll let you all know how it goes and what the official game plan will be!