Hello my name is Mile Long Legs and I’m an injured runner. Hello Mile Long Legs.
T-Minus 13 Days until I line up in my corral at the start line of the San Francisco Marathon. Am I excited? YES. Am I nervous? Of course. Am I injured? Dammit, yes. Am I still going to do whatever it takes to cross that finish line? Hell YES! This year marks my third consecutive year running the SF race, in 2011 I ran the “First Half”, in 2012 the “Second Half” and this year I’m extra enthused because I’m running the full, which means I’ll be a member of their 52 Club!
For almost two weeks now I’ve been struggling with an injury that at first seemed like a small nagging pain, that’s gradually been getting worse and more painful and more debilitating as the days go on. As I was in the thick of my marathon training, I decided to throw in a little cycling and spinning, which apparently was more than my body could handle at the time. This, combined with increased running mileage, perhaps too much, too fast, resulted in a very sore and very tight calf muscle. No biggie right? Well, sort of. The result of pushing forward and running on that very tight calf muscle has been shin splints, an even more sore and tight calf muscle and Achilles pain. Poop!
So what’s a girl to do? I’ve temporarily benched myself for a few days in hopes of miraculously recovering with a few days rest. I’ve been icing, massaging, KT taping, foam rolling, stretching and soaking like crazy! I’ve been drinking tea beer while silently stewing over my frustration of being, once again injured and sore so close to a race.
So what happens in 13 days? I’m not sure. What I do know is that I’ll wake up super early in my favorite city, put on my race-day clothes that I carefully laid out the night before, pin on my number and time chip, fill up my water bottle, strap on my Garmin, head for the start line, smile and hope for the best. 🙂
I’ve been in this position before and I know many, if not most, of you have been there too. It’s a tough spot to be in and it’s beyond frustrating. I’m not at the point yet where I need to withdraw from the race, however, I do know I’m going to have to keep my ultra-stubborn, bitch of an alter ego at bay and check in with myself throughout the race to ask myself when enough is enough. And speaking of enough, that’s about enough of my whining about being injured. 🙂
Are any of you running the San Francisco Marathon? I’d love to see some of your smiling faces if you’re there! Let me know in the comments below if you’ll be running the Golden Gate bridge this year or if you’ve done it in years’ past!
xoxo, MLL
Mile Long Legs 
Throw in medical grade super tight compression socks and sleep in them at night. Also I have been know to wear them, watch TV with my legs on the back of the couch. Consider it a version of twister that forces the blood better by elevation. Try not to stress, I’ve been there and it’s really hard. Best wishes and the speediest of recoveries!
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Thanks John! I wear compression sleeves and socks all the time, they’re my best friend! I wear ’em occasionally while I run and almost always as part of my regular recovery. I also do “legs up the wall” regularly.
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Good luck!!!
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Thanks so much!!! 🙂
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I’m having the same injury only I’m training for the washingthon marathon in october. Rest seems to be the only solution but I’m not in that luxery position to take a week off. Wish you lots of luck .
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Thanks Eddy! At least you’re a ways out from your race. Take care of yourself and run happy!
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Good luck!! Can’t wait to here all about your race!
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Thanks Meghan! I’ll be doing a race report regardless of how I do.
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I was in the same spot last year prior to the AF Marathon. Same injury, same calf, and same Achilles tendonosis. I laid off a week prior about seven days. I used the Stick a lot during those days and finally got the triggers to release. OMG it was the best feeling. I woke up the morning of the race at 100 percent! Best of luck for your race!
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Thanks Eric! Here’s hoping I have the same outcome as you!
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I love that you are drinking beer while on the sidelines with this injury! Sounds like something I would do! I bet rest combined with all the rest you are doing will do the trick and get you tot he finish line! Best of Luck!
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haha, when injured, drink beer 🙂 Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it!
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I’ll be running San Francisco as well! And I’ve got a nagging calf injury as well! Rest up and enjoy the views and hills.
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Awesome, maybe I’ll see you there! Have a great race and you bet I’ll be “enjoying” every one of those hills 😉
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