Wheeler Farm Loops

Hopefully it will settle down. Maybe just keep it easy for a day or two and then put the foot down.

I think the fact that it popped up so quick might work in your favor, because it doesn't sound like an overuse thing. Hoping for the best...

How could I get an overuse injury with my ultra conservative approach? :-)

I was doing a lot of puddle jumping on my run Friday night... I might have tweaked it then. Still, I need to be really cautious about not pushing it too hard... One hard workout could easily take it from mild strain to full blown injury. So it will be a delicate balance this week. I might just have to scrap a few things I have planned. We'll see...

I think that's how my foot thing happened too - puddle jumping or potholes. Admittedly it's hanging around juuust a bit, but I think I was saved by a week of slogging while it healed. I'm sure you'll be able to find the right balance of what it can take.

Perspicacity is better than hindsight - oh, I like that cheeky little saying. Seriously Jake, I know what you mean about the next 3 weeks being the most important, but if you push it, you might be out for longer than 3 weeks; take a couple of days to let it settle down and then carry on as normal. This old fella's suggesting you quell the exuberance and follies of youth:) Don't make come over there and hold you down...:)

This is why you have to be nuts to run the steeplechase.

Totally agree Bam. I'd rather miss a few workouts... Or even miss the marathon... Than try to stick to my schedule and end up missing a huge chunk of time.

I'm not going to force the issue on this one. I might feel fine in 2 days, I might not. I'm just going to play it day by day.

Sorry you're hurting Jake. Let me offer some brief advice. And, as always, you can take or leave any of my suggestions. It sounds like a quad strain, and I've had that 4-5 times throughout my running years. For all but one of those times, it completely resolved with a couple days of no running. The exception was actually just recently -- around Thanksgiving time. I developed a quad strain, took a couple days off from running, tried to run a gain -- and it was still bad. So, I took another 4-5 days off, tried running again, and it was still there. So, I took a few more days off and it was finally gone. I've been consistent ever since. I missed almost 2 weeks of running, but I did die-hard cross training during that time, so I didn't skip a beat. Had I really pushed it when it was bad, I'd probably still be out.

Even if it took you 1-2 weeks to get over this, you have such an unbelievable base that it will not phase you in the least -- even for your upcoming marathon. I know how hard to believe that is when you are in the moment, but it's absolutely true. In college, I had a track season where I was in incredible shape. I then got a very annoying injury and wasn't able to run at all for 2 months. But I cross-trained like a maniac to keep my fitness. And I still won the conference 5K championship -- off no running for 2 months. Now I'm not comparing a 5k to a marathon, but the base can be maintained.

Now for my advice (sorry it took me so long to get there). I think you should take 2-3 days off completely from running. I've learned with quad strains that even easy running really prolongs healing. And I would also be diligent with quad stretching, massage, and icing. And I'd even take either naproxen or ibuprofen (I think it's smart for elite runners to use the shotgun approach and do as many things as possible to get over injuries). If there is still pain after 2-3 days off, then you may need a few more days off. And you can cross train to keep your sanity. I despise cross training, but sometimes it has a vital role.

This won't phase you a bit Jake! Just continue to be wise and be careful. You have been very smart to listen to your body. And your wisdom is even more obvious since you are remaining flexible and changing your workout plans for this week.

That's great advice Matt. I appreciate your insight. I'm probably going to end up having to take a few days. Right now the pain spot is very isolated - medial side of the distal femur - about 2 inches above the knee and 2 inches medial from midline. Guessing vastus medialis. I can feel it mostly when I palpate it, or try to contract / hyperextend.

I know fitness can be maintained. I need to wrap my head around the idea of x-training... Because I hate it!

I always (probably) have the option of dropping down to the half if this takes some time to resolve. The thing about the marathon is that you can't fake it. Any weakness / deficiency in training will be multiplied x 100 over 26.2. I'm not hitting the panic button yet... But at the same time I'm not going to "force" the marathon. Whatever happens, happens, and I'll adapt. In an ideal world, I'll be back hitting some tempo next weekend.

That's great advice from Matt. Of course you probably already know what I would say about the value of cross training. I am sure you will take the wise approach and only run the race you feel prepared to run or possibly not run at all. It never makes sense to suffer through a race only to achieve a subpar performance and then not be able to race well for several months. That was my story in 2010 and I was out 6 months. With that said, let's hope it does go away in a few days so you don't have to make a tough decision in a few weeks.

Excellent advice from Fritz! Well spoken.

I agree Jake -- sounds like vastus medialis, which is a common quad strain location. I've had vastus medialis strains, and also vastus lateralis strains. Generally speaking, these do not usually become serious injuries if you "nip them in the rear end" immediately and get rid of them. And good point, any minor weakness can be amplified big time in the marathon. But I totally agree there is no reason to panic yet. Chances are this will shortly be a thing of the past. But you need to be very careful during the next few days.

I'm impressed with your knowledge and description of anatomy. I was equally impressed with Andrea for the same reason when I spoke with her about her injury. Good stuff.

We both worked for Dr. Steadman! We better know at least a couple muscle names! Andrea has really become an expert in hip anatomy. I think she could go toe to toe with anyone in that category... It's quite impressive.

And I still think any cross training that doesn't involve getting to the top of a mountain is worthless :-)

Good point on all accounts. I love it!

I'm in a plane an average of once every 2 weeks for the last 10 years of my life and seriously have never had as many flight delays and problems as you had for this one trip to San Diego. Crazy, I flew out of SLC yesterday no problems. Very strange. Hope you start feeling better.

I've had more delay time in the past 4 days than the past 4 years. I just timed both flights perfectly wrong... had I left Wednesday night and come back earlier on Sunday, it would have been no big deal. I just picked flights that directly coincided w/ the 2 times the airport completely shut down!

No offense, but you're really bad at picking flights and marathons.

Taking days off - especially during this phase of training is mentally hard, but I know it won't affect you in the least. You still have almost 5 weeks to rebound. You know yourself and your body and I'm sure you will make the right decision, as hard as it is. You always have the bigger picture in mind.

At least it was Provo and not Pocatello or Boise! Our gymnastics team couldn't land on Sunday and had to go to Pocatello, Natalie's team had to go to Boise!