Overdoing it

Being a bit of a newcomer to long distance running I underestimated how much toll a half marathon would have on me. I expected to feel pretty tired after long runs and perhaps have some muscle aches for a day or two after, but I thought as long as I followed my training plan, ate properly before and after a run, stretched well and rested that I would avoid injury.

I used to think if you become injured that it would be pretty obvious. There would be some kind of popping or snapping sensation, a very sharp pain or it would be extremely difficult to move the injured limb. So when my mileage increased to around 6 mile runs and I started feeling tightness in my left hamstring, I put it down to just that - tightness in my left hamstring. A few stretches would sort that out and I would be good to go.

As my mileage increased to around 8 miles the tightness continued and occasionally shifted to my inside thigh. So I consulted the source I most commonly use when I need medical assistance: The Internet. At this point I became pretty sure that I had one of the following: a strained hamstring, a groin strain, tendonitis or possibly a stress fracture. Reading through the symptoms I came the conclusion that I had some kind of groin strain and devised an elaborate groin strap using a strapping method I also found on the internet. Weirdly, this actually did help with the hamstring/groin issue and, despite an immense amount of chaffing from the cohesive tape I used, I was able to complete the longest run of my training plan (approximately 12 miles) with minimum discomfort.

With 2 weeks to go before the half marathon I thought I would take a quick trip to see a physiotherapist to see if I could get an actual diagnosis and some tips to help me through the half marathon.

'Lay off the running,' I was told.

Not quite the words I wanted to hear. So I put my negotiating skills to use.

'I hear what you're saying, however I've kinda got a half marathon in 2 weeks.'

The compromise was I would take a week off then just do a couple of easy runs in the week running up to the race.

This sounded easy but was one of the hardest things to do. After 2 days of not running I felt a bit twitchy. After a week of not running I was sure I had lost all fitness and strength that I had built up over the last couple of months. My husband assured me that this is very common with people when they are reducing their mileage (tapering) in last 2 weeks before a race and I just needed to trust the training plan.

The paranoia continued, however, until race day and at this point I was doubtful I would make it to the end. Once the race began I was swept along by thousands of runners of all ages and abilities and the paranoia diminished. I was finally doing what I had trained so hard for! I was amazed that at the 6 mile mark I had no discomfort in my hamstring. Nothing at 7 miles either. At 8 miles the ache began however. I managed to change my stride and the ache disappeared. Then it returned about 10 minutes later, this time with a vengeance. The ache shot down my hamstring and my knee throbbed. I started to seriously doubt I would make it to the end.

I thought about what my husband had said to me during my training.

'If something isn't right, change something.'

I slowed down and focused on making my right leg take a bit more of the load. The pain decreased and at 10 miles I felt strong. At 11 miles the crowds had gathered and made such a lot of noise that I found my pace increasing. I could almost taste the finish line. About 400m to the finish line I found myself galloping towards Glasgow Green. I had to remind myself that 400m is the distance of a running track, that maybe I should pull back a bit. Then I saw the 200m sign and thought 'I'm having that!' There was no pain in my leg, just the joy of crossing the finish line and completing my first half marathon.

In retrospect, I did overdo the training. I was presumptuous that a plan would keep me injury free. What I didn't take into account was my running mileage was quite low prior to starting the training plan. Prior to the half marathon training, I was more than capable of running 3 miles at a reasonable pace, but I had only been doing this once or twice a week. This was not enough. I had no issues with my aerobic fitness as I regularly played tennis, cycled and swam, but I was not equipped from a musculoskeletal point of view to deal with the increased mileage of training for 13.1 miles of repetitive running.

I have since met with a good physiotherapist who has advised me that I have an overuse problem with my hamstring tendon. This explains the pain manifesting itself in various different places in my left leg. Now that I understand the problem I can take action to sort it out. Basically to strengthen up my glutes. I'm now in rehab, doing core strengthening exercises twice a week, cycling, swimming and running very carefully, using a running pattern similar to a couch to 10k plan. It feels strange to go back the way, but I have found that I love running so much that it is worth starting over again. The marathon may just have to wait a bit longer. 😊