Injured?!!

What to do when you are injured and training for a marathon. The training to run the @nycmarathon hasn’t even begun and you are sidelined by an injury. I expected at some point I would deal with an injury, but not before my training even started. Here’s how to navigate it.

Skateboarding
Working on my flow at the skate park before I caught a pebble and bailed.

The absence of the routine is a challenge. So much of your energy, from what you eat, to the time you wake up, to the weather are woven into your training. Now, it’s not. You need a new goal of RICE. 

Rest

Ice

Compression

Elevation

And with that you’ll need to adjust your caloric intake, keep your mind sharp, and use that energy to stay focused on healing and getting better. When you start feeling down Anne Francis has a look at the science of post injury depression and why it comes on.

Multiple Boston Marathon finisher and Afternoon Driver at Boston’s Classic Rock 100.7 WZLX Chuck Nowlin: “Build your mileage up, and if you get hurt, rest. Don’t try to run through the pain it will just get worse. I had a partially torn meniscus that I tried wrapping and running through, bad idea.”

Prevailing – Injury, Post Race

So, how do you turn the corner? The depression is real and Amanda Loudin’s post will give you 7 Ways to Overcome the Runner Blues When You Are Struggling

Getting back at it

Now the challenge is building back up without re-injuring your injury. Rachel Basinger has some good strategies to get back at it.

Keep the injury from happening in the first place

Women’s Running breaks down the Top 5 things you can do. (As always you should get a doctor’s blessing on your recovery plan).

https://twitter.com/ClinicSchoen/status/1139487108916293632

Capturing sights on the run

I always like to add in a spot along the run that’s picture worthy. Here’s a pic from my favorite spot on the run. This was taken at Miller’s Pond in Suffolk County NY. It’s going to be another week or two before I begin slowly getting out there again, So, get a good run in for me o.k.?

Sunrise run

Previous post: Why you should run in the rain

Rain … and why you should go run in it.

I get it. You’re not really interested in starting out your run soaked and wet. I have a couple tips to help you get though it successfully. A run in the rain will push you and build your confidence faster than other types of training.

Ready to run in the rain
At the starting line of the Long Island Half Marathon in the rain. Ready to test out my gear.

Your mindset – Running in the rain

Best to start with what you can control right? Face the rain like you do your challenging runs, leaning forward, focused and relaxed. Stay loose and don’t get hunched over.

Your gear

Running in the rain
I picked up this running hat when I saw rain in the forecast. It kept the rain out of my eyes. Thumbs up!

Keeping those little rain drops out of your eyes will help with staying relaxed. I picked up one of these Brooks hats and it was excellent. Lightweight and stayed that way even during constant rain.

Your Socks

My wife picked these socks up for me and I didn’t understand the value until I ran 13.1 in the rain. These Asics Kayano socks never felt heavy or bunched up during the race. Oh, and slather some Vaseline between your toes before you put them on. I couldn’t find any on race morning and just used Emma’s Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment. I finished without blisters or any raw spots on my feet.

Your Clothes

Wear your light moisture wicking gear and then throw on one of those cheap plastic rain ponchos. You’ll make a weird swishing noise as you run, but you’ll stay mostly DRY and you’ll greatly reduce the chafing from soaked clothes. Remember, If you get too hot you can rip holes for ventilation, or just remove it all together.

Holding a Half Marathon Finisher Medal
I wasn’t looking forward to running 13.1 in the rain, but i made adjustments and scored a PB!

Capturing sights on the run

I always like to add in a cool picture spot somewhere on my run. Here’s another favorite. Have a good run and I’ll see you on the trails. – Chris

Sunrise over the Great South Bay in Patchogue, NY
Sunrise on the Great South Bay in Patchogue NY

Previous Post: Picking the right marathon training plan

Picking the right marathon training plan

How do you evaluate a marathon training plan for something you have never done before? I asked a couple marathon finishers:

Michelle gave me some advice I hadn’t really thought about … nutrition. More on that as I start cranking up my weekly mileage.

Have you checked your feet?

Steve had a different perspective on marathon training having ran his first marathon, NYC in 2017 :

Do you need a coach?

Another friend of mine is bad ass and has run the NYC marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon plus multiple Iron Man races. He also hosts THE podcast helping busy physical therapists stay informed @PTPintcast

His advice, whatever plan you pick get yourself a coach. Why? Talking out what’s going on each week keeps you accountable to someone other than yourself. They’ll also help you pin point what could be affecting your training like less sleep, or nutrition.

So, which training plan?

Have you run a marathon? What worked for you? I’m on the doorstep of starting my formal training plan and any advice would be appreciated before I make the decision. Two front runners are the NYRR Virtual Training Plan and Hal Higdon’s Novice Plan.

Capturing sights on the run

I always like to include a picture worthy spot on my runs. I just wrestle my phone out of the arm band and take a pic. It gives you a needed lift and something else to look forward to. I’ll close out each blog with a favorite. Have a good run and I’ll see you on the trail. – Chris

Sunrise over Miller's Pond in Suffolk County NY
Sunrise on Miller’s Pond during my morning run

Read on for tips about running in the rain