Hopeful

[run4yourlife]

I am suppose to run a marathon in less than two weeks. I haven’t been running regularly for the past two months because of a calf injury. I keep pulling the muscles on my legs. I slowed down my pace to about a 12 minute mile to keep it from recurring. I am so excited about this race but I am also nervous about the injury and missed training. I am still going to show up even if it means at worse not finishing or dropping out. I am so disappointed and distressed. I want a finishers medal badly. This is my first marathon and maybe my last and only opportunity to run one.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Hello! There are a lot of questions that come up in reading your post. Firstly, have you been following a marathon plan to date and second, what is the longest distance you’ve run in preparation for the 42k distance? Most plans get you to 30-36k in the weeks prior to the race. With only two weeks to go you should now be in taper mode now with very low mileage to rest your muscles before the race. If you are really set on this and don’t have enough miles in the bank due to your injury, then maybe consider a run/walk strategy? It may be something you decide on the day based on how your legs feel. Also please understand that this does not have to be a now or never scenario. There will be other races and you can always treat this one as a learning experience in preparation for the next one. And try to enjoy the moment if and when you can. Finally, try to save enough for that last 10k. Thats where the hard part really hits.

[run4yourlife Marathon in reply to Decker]

The furthest I ran was a half marathon. I’m very sad about my injury. I didn’t get to run longer. I will run anyway. This is the world’s largest marathon with over 50,000 runners. FOMO!!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to run4yourlife]

Ok - I get it. Which race is it? If I were you I would not try to run the whole thing with only a 21k max distance in the bag unless you are young and very fit :). Most marathons have a run/walk pace bunny for different finishing times. That would be my approach I think. If you can stick with them (assuming you've found a pace bunny with a manageable finish time for your pace), then you should have a better chance. The only thing I can say is go easy, look after your legs and don't push beyond your limits. A bad injury could take you out for months. Having said this, I'm sure other more experienced folks will have more advice and thoughts here. Good luck and please let us know how it goes!

[run4yourlife Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks for the advice. I ran a 12 minute mile. The last part was hardest but I made it!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

What a pity about your injury R4YL. As Decker says, with only a HM under your belt so far, unless you are naturally very fit and/or young, you’d more than likely risk further injury if you attempted to run the full distance. I’m neither of the above, but I know for sure that there’s no way I could have run the same distance again after my HM, and that’s with me running regularly.

But you could be different! 🤞

I think run/walk could be the way to go for you. It sounds like you desperately want to take part, and I don’t blame you, but take care of your body or you risk being out for an extended period if you aggravate your existing injury or pick up a new one.

Good luck! 😀

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Welcome to the Marathon forum!!!!

The New York City Marathon!!!!!!! I wouldn't want to miss that either 😍

I believe the cut-off time is very generous - the last wave gets eight and a half hours to complete - so you should be more than OK even with pretty substantial walk breaks.

Enjoy the atmosphere, and please let us know how you got on!!! Good luck xxx

[misswobble Marathon]

Good luck with it 💪😃👍🏃‍♀️🏅. Run/walk will get you round, combined with race day adrenaline

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Take the great advice from those who know...take it easy.. walk if you have to, as advised...relax and enjoy it and live to tell the tale

[Hidden]

Good luck xxx

[Hidden]

Hey don’t stress! I am certainly not at your standard and probably not likely to be. However I think there is some great advice here so a few deep breaths, try not to stress, do the run walk thingy or what ever you feel comfortable with.

I think the main thing is to go out there try your very best as that is all anyone can do and most important enjoy everything about the NYM. But also take care of yourself.

Have a fantastic day and enjoy! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏👍

Looking forward to your post.🤗🤗🎃

[run4yourlife Marathon]

Ran the NYC marathon in 5 hrs 14 minutes! No injury!!