I went through something similar last November and made the same decision - was concerned that it might be the beginnings of a stress fracture so played it very safe. I took 4 weeks off and returned slowly without any hint of the pain returning when I got going again. I hate taking time off from running, but 4 weeks beats the heck out of 4 months.I had some left fibula pain before and after the race. So I took/taking off a precautionary five weeks from running.
I went through something similar last November and made the same decision - was concerned that it might be the beginnings of a stress fracture so played it very safe. I took 4 weeks off and returned slowly without any hint of the pain returning when I got going again. I hate taking time off from running, but 4 weeks beats the heck out of 4 months.
Hopefully you will be good to go when you crank it back up.
@OldSlowGoofyGuy I had 68 So I feel you on the PW. However my run today was good. Seems my soleus is better. Just in time for my hiking trip. Last week though on my first week running outside from the muscle strain, I tripped on a sidewalk and skinned my knee. I was just happy to stay upright today. However weather was excellent for us.
In-Person Race Report - Tobacco Road Marathon
The Tobacco Road Marathon is run primarily on the mixed pavement and crushed gravel of the American Tobacco Trail in Cary, NC. Built on an old rail bed, the course features mild grades, with the exception of the gently rolling hills of the 2.25 mi it takes to get to and from the trail from the start/finish at the USA Baseball Center.
This was my 12th marathon. I wasn’t really sure what I was going to be capable of or how to approach it. I’m only 7 weeks removed from my first 100k, which only gave me 3 weeks of light recovery running (one of those just walking at WDW), 2 weeks to re-introduce longer tempo runs and push my distance back up, and 2 weeks to taper. Given uncertainty like that, I tend to default to “go for it”. My plan was to go out and run at a 4:00 marathon pace (9:09/mi) and reevaluate the strategy each 1/4 of the race.
The temp was surprisingly cool for mid-May in NC at 46 deg (44 dew point) to start. I was scheduled to start in the 6:45 mini-wave, but the starting chute was empty when I showed up at 6:30. So I got my temp checked, walked down the chute and started early.
The first quarter of the race clicked by uneventfully, with the first 6.55 mi passing right on schedule in 59:52. The 2nd quarter went by in similar fashion, hitting the halfway point at 13.1 mi in 1:59:44. Taking stock at that point was a mixed bag. On the plus side, my stomach was holding up well with my nutrition strategy. After experimenting with Maurten and Tailwind with mixed results I went back to my old standby of Huma gels and was downing one every 4 miles. On the downside, at only 16 sec ahead of pace, my legs were starting to feel the effort. The way they felt, I resigned myself to 4:00 slipping away and resolved to focus on seeing what I could hold onto.
Apparently I gave up too quickly, though. Around mile 15 I got a huge 2nd wind in my legs. Miles started to feel easier than they had all race and I felt like I was flying down the trail! Others might have seen a 50yo man slightly improve his pace if they’d been watching very closely. I don’t remember what my 3/4 split was, other than that it was encouraging. At the 20 mi mark I pulled out my secret weapon. 80s music gives me a lift, but has to be used carefully. I had been carrying my headphones waiting for the right moment and this was it. I was starting to feel like my 2nd wind revival had been a false dawn that led to over enthusiasm that might bite me at any moment. I definitely got the lift I needed from the music and spent the last 6 miles bearing down on the mile I was in. It even turned out I had enough in the tank to sprint the last tenth of a mile or so.
Ultimately, my final time was 3:57:31! My first sub-4:00 marathon! I couldn’t be happier! It’s a new official race PR, beating my previous best Chicago Marathon time by 0:20:40. It also beats my virtual race “unofficial” PR from last fall by 0:08:43. Looking at the in-race details, I negative split the race by 0:01:57, too (1st half 1.59:44, 2nd half 1:57:47). All in all, a great day of racing! Thanks for reading if you made it this far!
TL;DR Summary
Tobacco Road Marathon run in-person today. Finished in 3:57:31 for my first sub-4:00 marathon and a new official PR by 0:20:40. Negative split the race by almost 2 min.
Question for the ultra runners. The final preparations are underway for my first ultra (50k) on Saturday!! So what do you put in your drop bags?
I actually have two bags to pack, one for mid race, mile 17, and one for the finish line. We will be shuttled in so I won’t have my car.
So far for mid race I have fuel for the last half, long sleeve tee for just in case, and sunscreen. For the finish line I have water, tailwind recovery mix, a change of clothes, and my oofos slides.
Question for the ultra runners. The final preparations are underway for my first ultra (50k) on Saturday!! So what do you put in your drop bags?
I actually have two bags to pack, one for mid race, mile 17, and one for the finish line. We will be shuttled in so I won’t have my car.
So far for mid race I have fuel for the last half, long sleeve tee for just in case, and sunscreen. For the finish line I have water, tailwind recovery mix, a change of clothes, and my oofos slides.
I am not an ultra runner but one thing that I fin useful after any distance is a beach towel. If you get hosed after your 50k, it can be used to dry. If you need to wash up a bit, you can wet a corner with water and use the rest to dry. If you need to change in the middle of nowhere, you can hide behind it. If you are cold, it can be used to warmup. If you are dirty and want to sit in a bus or in your car, it can save your seat.Question for the ultra runners. The final preparations are underway for my first ultra (50k) on Saturday!! So what do you put in your drop bags?
I actually have two bags to pack, one for mid race, mile 17, and one for the finish line. We will be shuttled in so I won’t have my car.
So far for mid race I have fuel for the last half, long sleeve tee for just in case, and sunscreen. For the finish line I have water, tailwind recovery mix, a change of clothes, and my oofos slides.
Question for the ultra runners. The final preparations are underway for my first ultra (50k) on Saturday!! So what do you put in your drop bags?
I actually have two bags to pack, one for mid race, mile 17, and one for the finish line. We will be shuttled in so I won’t have my car.
So far for mid race I have fuel for the last half, long sleeve tee for just in case, and sunscreen. For the finish line I have water, tailwind recovery mix, a change of clothes, and my oofos slides.
For a 50k, I don’t think you need much more than what you already have. Maybe a pair of clean socks and some gum for the mid race bag? A beer for the finish bag?
Sounds like you’ve got things pretty well figured out, already. I agree with @FFigawi that a pair of socks would be a good addition to the mid-race bag. Don’t underestimate how good those fresh socks will feel at that point!
The only thing I’d consider adding to the finish line bag is a jacket. I tend to get chilled pretty quickly as I cool down from a race and a jacket can help prevent that, as well as providing some additional protection if it should turn rainy or windy. Also, if you’re going to have to wait around for a shuttle back out to your car, that just extends the cooling off period.
Good luck!
I am not an ultra runner but one thing that I fin useful after any distance is a beach towel. If you get hosed after your 50k, it can be used to dry. If you need to wash up a bit, you can wet a corner with water and use the rest to dry. If you need to change in the middle of nowhere, you can hide behind it. If you are cold, it can be used to warmup. If you are dirty and want to sit in a bus or in your car, it can save your seat.
Other ideas are Body Glide for the mid-race stop. Rain poncho and emergency blanket for the end.
Good luck!
I will start with the caveat that I am a huge over packer.....that being said....
For my 50 miler, I hit my drop bag at two points in the race. I did a complete clothes change (shoes as well) each time and it was wonderful to get into a completely dry set of clothes. On the second stop I was able to pick up another layer as well. In addition, I had glide, kt tape, a towel, and some snacks.
A lot depends on bag limits set by the race and your climate. I'd rather have something and not need it.