Forced to take a break from running even though I'm not technically 'injured...' and I'm not even halfway through my half marathon training!

[Redcello41]

So as some of you have seen on my previous posts from the last few weeks, I had to go to hospital on 8th December because I suddenly came down with severe abdominal pain. I spent the next two weeks not running at all and just resting because I didn't want to risk my stomach getting aggravated even more (I was quite ill for the first week!). Then of course this week has been Christmas week so I haven't had time to go running and my stomach still feels a bit weird from time to time. I'm hopefully going to go on a few gentle runs and alter my training plan just to see how my body feels next week and see how I go! But then I'm going to lose another week of half marathon training the week after because I'm having to go back into hospital on the 6th Jan to have an endoscopy to see if they can find out what caused my bad abdominal pain in the first place.

I was going to go for a very short easy run this morning but I woke up with my stomach being in pain and having waves of nausea so decided it would be best not to run today. Rather frustrating because I had been feeling okay this past week!

I am slightly stressing though because I am worried that I won't complete my half marathon training plan before my half marathon on 15th March (I've started my plan a month early to account for unplanned circumstances like illness and stuff like that so I've got one week left of wiggle room following my recent visit to hospital)! I'm worried because I may need to spend the next few weeks gently easing myself into running again and building back up to where I was and then pick up to where I was in my training plan and miss off the last few weeks of the plan. And I still have no idea if my stomach pain is aggravated by my running but at least it is getting looked into.

I keep on telling myself that 'there's always another race' and that my health comes first but I can't help also feeling a bit stressed that I won't be able to complete my training plan. Has this sort of thing happened to anyone else? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Just get sorted and get well...that's the most important thing....you are all that matters. 🙂

Not anything as serious as your worrying issues, but I missed quite a bit of my training before my HM last March...mainly due to snow and ice...I only managed to get up to a 16K run...I still managed it and came in at only 8 minutes slower than my predicted time.

Just listen to your doctors...listen to your body and take it steadily...if it is meant to be...it will be!

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes it is annoying when things don't go to plan but never mind! Well done for completing your half marathon despite your training being held up by the weather!

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Get well soon! I think half marathons are doable without full training. You can walk bits - who cares? You’ll get a medal and have an easier PB to beat in your next 👍🏽

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Exactly! I've decided that I am going to run my half marathon no matter what and if I need to walk some bits, it doesn't matter!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Forget the training and get well! I am probably not the best one to talk about this (I really stress if I can't keep up to a plan!), but in your case, get it fixed, recover, and then see where you are. Loads of runs to come 😊

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yep that sounds like a good idea! I've postponed my training for another 3 weeks just to give myself time to recover and build back up to where I was before I got ill! And your absolutely right, there are plenty of runs to come in the future!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Ahh, I'm sorry to hear you're still suffering. I know too well the anxiety of trying to rearrange a training plan to fit a booked event when unable to run. It's horrible! Having had to abandon one HM I also know it's not the end of the world - you have so much running time ahead of you, so many events you can enter ... although it doesn't feel like it, this is a small blip in your running. Getting well is the absolute priority. Try to relax as far as your plan is concerned. Run/walk for your first HM is a perfectly good option, really it is. Focus on getting better first, then - and only then - should you worry about expectations and adjusting your plan to fit. I hope you feel better very soon 🙂

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes it is very stressful when things don't go to plan! I've worked out I'm going to miss the last 3 weeks of training! I'm not that worried about it anymore though I just want to focus on getting better and building back up to where I was before I got ill! And I've decided that if I need to use the run-walk method to get through my half marathon then that's fine!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

A great attitude. Well done. But how are you?

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I just had an endoscopy today which wasn't a pleasant experience to be honest but at least it was over and done with quickly and the results came back clear and normal so that's positive! I'm going to rest and not run this week and being as I haven't been in pain for the last few weeks, I may go on a few very gentle runs next week to see where I'm at. I ran two very slow 1K runs with my sister last week and generally felt fine. Plus it gave me an opportunity to try out all of my new running gear that I got for Christmas! Slow and steady, I think that's the most important thing I need to keep in mind now...

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

That sounds like very good news, I'm sure it's a big relief for you to know all is clear. Slow and steady is good. Take your time. There will be lots of people run/walking an event like that so it's a good option, especially as being a first HM you're on for a PB anyway (and it's actually quicker than you might think too!). Take care.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes I am relieved but can't help wondering what caused me to come down with severe abdominal pain in the first place if it wasn't my stomach. It may have been the beginnings of a grumbling appendix because that does run in my family. Oh well, time to put it behind me and get better so I can run!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

At least appendix is reasonably routine I guess ... but fingers crossed it doesn't reappear 🤞

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yeah I hope it doesn't come back too, caused enough havoc the first time! 😃

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Linda is absolutely right - get yourself well first. So many of us have to miss events at some point, either due to illness, injury or other life events. I had to pull out of a planned HM a couple of months ago because I just wasn't where I needed to be with my running. And yes, it is SO frustrating at the time, I agree! I'd say focus on your health - sometimes those long training runs are not what we need. Fingers crossed for your next appointment- hope all goes ok for you.

[Katiepops Half Marathon]

Seriously, what everyone else is saying - look after you. Your health is more important, and they won’t run out of half marathons while you’re getting yourself sorted! Hopefully it’s a short term blip on the radar and you’ll be back in a few weeks. 😊🤞x

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Katiepops]

Yep it's looking like that it is a short term blip, hopefully I will be right as rain soon and can back into training! Will make sure that I take it slow though when I do!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

I’m going to echo what everyone else has said Redcello. Get yourself well, you’re important. Once you’ve done that you can refocus on running - and if you miss your HM this time round that’s totally fine. There will be more for you to enter. 👍 xx

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes that is very true, will wait and get better first before I get my teeth back into training!

[Deals1 Metric Marathon]

Get well soon. There is plenty more to enter

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Deals1]

Thank you!