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'Last Chance for Boston' Marathon RR

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#21 ·
Just on a quick break from work here, but wanted to say<br><br>
{{{{{Yoshiko}}}}} Iknow well the screaming pain of the calf cramp. Happened to me last april at Glass City. You have my sympathies in your disappointment and confusion. You did the right thing. Now rest and regroup.
 
#23 ·
Damn Yoshiko, I feel for you. I had the same thing happen to me in my last race. I crumbled right to the ground. I didn't think I was going to be able to walk to the finish line. And it had looked like I was going to PR that race too. I now stop and stretch my calf several times during my runs. Otherwise, I can feel it start to cramp up every time I pick up my speed.<br><br>
You did the right thing stopping. You'll get this calf thing figured out and be running another marathon in no time. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">
 
#25 ·
Sorry, Yoshiko <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"> Kudos to you in stopping instead of possibly doing worse damage - I've had those rock hard calf cramps as well, and you just don't feel quite the same immediately afterward.<br><br>
Now you have a couple races from which to examine - hopefully it is just as simple as dressing for the cold weather and perhaps a warm-weather race will bear that out. If not, then other theories can be looked at. But right now, the number one goal is healing and just clearing your mind for the time being
 
#26 ·
{{{Yoshiko}}} You did the right thing. When you get it figured out, let us know. My BIL also had lots of cramping during his marathon this weekend. His started at mile 23, he said. He finished, but he isn't sure of the cause of the cramping. This was his first marathon, but if he hadn't cramped, he'd had a BQ as well (his pace was 7:05 up until mile 23). He also ran in shorts, but it wasn't all that cold -- 45 at the start, 55-60 at the finish. There was wind, though. I think his issue is salt, though. He's a med student, so he'll get it figured out. So sorry it didn't work out for you, but I know there is a reason. Something good will come from it. Hang in there, and don't start thinking you are a bad mom. Maybe this is just a way to get you focused on exactly what you need to be focused on and when. Get that calf healed up too.
 
#27 ·
Yoshiko I know you won't give up and you will find a solution. You were smart in dropping out before further damage was done. It is not easy to do that. It had to be very disapionting. You also showed a lot of class by being out there and cheering me on. I know you will have a taste of the success that you have experienced before. Just take some time to heal and figure things out.
 
#28 ·
Yoshiko - Sorry about the ultimately disappointing run - although on the silver lining side, it looks like your training was there for a solid result until the calf cramp hit. Also, well done on having the sense to DNF. It's very easy to do the dumb thing and fight through, much to your later detriment. Boston will be yours, one day. Heal up well, spend some time on the fun stuff ('cos running AIN'T FUN - especially in a Michigan winter ... or at least, I wouldn't think so) AND the family stuff, and be back to give it another go when you're ready.<br><br>
Reg.
 
#29 ·
YoshiGirl, let me be brutally honest here... There is no reason why you cannot have another huge success at the marathon. You've done it before, and you can and will do it again. We believe in you, and especially me, as I've seen your dedicated training.<br><br>
The only "freakish accident" here is your reoccurring calf cramping. Calf cramping has little to do with being able to launch into a PR or even BQ marathon. You solve the calf problem and you're freed to go harder and longer.<br><br>
This probably does not pertain to you, but from what I remember of pictures, you are a very slender female. This and of it self is okay, but if slender equates to not as strong, then maybe part of the problem is that although you have built an engine to carry you at pace for the distance, perhaps your body is not strong enough to support it. I can tell you from personal experience that ever since I have focused on the bike and cross training for greater core strength, some of the "everyday" injuries, the ones you simply run through, are much fewer and certainly far between. In fact, I haven't had many pings or pangs in a good long while, but throughout my entire marathon career, which as you may know spans many, many years, I've never ever been this injury free where I'm no longer running through the assortment of injuries I used to.<br><br>
Please know that I do not know your situation. I offer the above only to help in a form of brainstorm. Truth is, correct your calf issue and you'll go as far as your determination will carry. I kid you not.<br><br>
As for when to race next, three weeks is probably too soon if you have a calf issue. I'd be more apt to take a solid week or two down, like only easy runs and nothing seriously long, then begin quality speedwork and issert one more long run and maybe another, but not nearly as long, and you should be good. Because your base training will not go away. In fact, if you take a week or two down and then begin a moderated scale up, without returning to the long distance levels as in your lead up to this race, I'm willing to bet that you'll be stronger and feel all the better for it.<br><br>
Be strong, girl.
 
#31 ·
I think thor raises a good point. I've know you for a long time now and I've seen you go from a slow swimmer to a rock star. You're a running machine. You're an athlete in every sense. Except one that thor points out... Balance. You are SO strong on the run and SO strong on the SWIM and have SUCH a base that I think you are out of balance.<br><br>
Many times you've commented about how bike strength has been a challenge for you. Well, I wonder if the road to another BQ lies not in the sneakers... but on the bike. I know you have the drive, the base, and the potentional - so why not give it a shot. Do the same tranformation you did with your swim over last couple of years with your bike. Then restart marathon training if the urge still is with ya, and then you can land another BQ.<br><br>
Just something to ponder.
 
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Discussion starter · #33 ·
Thank you for your kind and comforting words.<br><br>
Thor/Ron - there is no doubt that my overall strength (core, legs) or lack of thereof, is a huge weakness. I would like to think yoga I started a few years ago has a lot do with improving my hip issues which I am sure were caused by muscle inbalance (= some key muscles weakness). Probably the smartest thing to do right now is to give some rest to my running shoes and focus on strengthening and biking. The only problem? I am too stubborn to let running go right now. I am in the best running shape since I started running in 2003. I want to run another marathon before switching the gear to a tri training. I am looking into some basic nutrition issues, calf strengthening exercises to figure out about the calf cramp issue. Plus, I repeatedly told myself that I should wear what I trained in!<br><br>
As you said, Thor, 3 weeks is too close. If I bailed right after the calf cramped up badly, my calf would have been fine by now based on the past two occurrences. But I didn't therefore it is still very sore. I like your suggestion as to how to approach next several weeks. Thanks for taking time, while you aren't feeling well, to write.<br><br>
Yoshiko
 
#35 ·
When did Athens start having a marathon?<br>
I was there in the late 80s and don't recall hearing about it....<br>
but, then...I was definitely NOT running back then.<br><br>
That sounds like a fun one for a spring race.
 
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#37 ·
Ron and I are only guessing from afar, so we may be wrong about this whole core strengthening issue, but if you see any merit in it, I challenge you stick to your current path for now (and rest up a week or two before forging ahead to another marathon in a few weeks), but then when that is done, the challenge is to not only jump into triathlon training in full, but pick on the bike as a limiter and tackle that as you did swimming and have been doing the run training. Because if you can get stronger on the bike, and I mean stronger, not just piddly spinning along, I guarantee you will see rewards in your running. Get to the point where you can, if you had to, push a larger gear.<br><br>
The moment for me where I never looked back on guessing if my bike training was helping my running was when I consciously decided to get fast on the bike and tackle my cycling in my own way but in a way that I knew would hurt but also elevate me to another level. At the time, I could not use what I call the "big boy" gear on my bike. You, and certainly a few others may remember this time for me. I referred to the large chain ring in the front as my "big boy" gear in a way that would motivate me to use it. Because the truth is, I was too weak -- from too many years of just running -- to use it. I would do every single ride and never, ever hit that "big boy" gear. So one day, finally fed up, but more importantly finally motivated to get my cycling ability in line with my running, I set out -- very stubbornly, I might add -- on a very hilly route and promised myself that whatever I did I would not down shift out of that big boy gear. I would force myself to gain that strength in a storm session. It hurt for several rides, especially on some of those hills, but I finally got it. And that's where the story is, because ever since around that time, my marathon times, and even my ability to hold onto pace, even by a thread, improved dramatically. And not only that but I was also able to feel, while I was running, how much stronger I was, and I knew -- I just knew! -- it was directly attributed to the cycling.<br><br>
Now, I'm not suggesting you go and do the same, but if there is any truth to what Ron and I are guessing, I challenge you to work on the bike after this next marathon, and then next spring tackle another marathon with your new found strength.<br><br>
I have no doubt you have a break through in you. You are too hard a worker and too determined not to. So don't let a pesky calf muscle tear you down. The calf does not define you. You ability and determination do. You did it before, and you will do it again, and have faith in that now you have so much more base under your belt that you will not only do it again but you will do it in grander fashion.
 
Discussion starter · #38 ·
4bm - Ohio offers some good marathons! Did you know that this year Towpath is later - early Oct, a week before Detroit/Grand Rapids. DH/I are dissapointed. Maybe they want nothing to do with a potential heat wave they had last year in midwest (same day as Chicago).
 
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