PGD, just be careful and start walking if you feel pain anywhere during the race. There is a difference between pain from a bad blister and the pain you described. Maybe you read my recent RR, but if not, my SO, who is about the same age as you and looks like a smaller version of you (how the heck did you get huge like that anyway? Is is from the Puerto Rican food your wife feeds you? :-)), ran his first half 10 days ago, on much less training than you. He finished in 2:10, after running the first 7 miles and then switching to a run/walk, with a 9:1 ratio. We were both very happy with his time. BUT... He was NOT injured when he started the race and had no pain anywhere. Now he does.  His shins have been bothering him since that day. So be very careful, respect your pain. Good luck!

 

Thanks Lily, and yes...I will be very careful. As for me being a "big boy", I've been a weightlifter for many years now. I consume A LOT of protein (+200g/day) and I lift big and hard. Interestingly enough, I started running to get leaner and to prepare for my Tough Mudders and I came to really appreciate running. Then I tore my bicep and had to take a hiatus from lifting. Of course, that provided me an opportunity to really "throw myself" into running more often and now I don't think I could live without it. And wow...your husband's first HM w/ a 2:10, eh? Nice job there. Thanks again.

SO has been weightlifting for many years as well. Contrary to you, he is terrified at the idea that running may make him look smaller. I don't dare say anything about the love handles he's now starting to show and that he could afford to get a bit leaner through running.  That's mostly due to an aging metabolism and enjoying life with a few too many beers on the weekend. What really matters to me is that having him do cardio work now means that he'll be around longer. That's what really matters.

So you're a big guy who cooks and looks good in a kilt? Lucky wife.

 and It appears as if the answer is "If you're a runner, pain is inevitable.". I guess It should be qualified as to what degree, yes?

My friend, I'd qualify pain not in terms of degree so much as type. Shooting pain, searing pain etc is a sign of injury and should not be ignored, tolerated or run through. These types of pain are indications that you need to at the very least ease back and rest.

As for degree, many serious injuries start out not with a lot of pain, but with just a small "annoying" pain. I've heard people say "it just felt funny", meaning they initially didn't think of it as pain at all. They ran through it., and it developed into something that sidelined them for 6 months. So you can't go by degree.

I'm responding to what you're saying here literally, so you have to forgive me for that.

I'm actually not too far ahead of you in regard to the running game, and there are others who are way more qualified to advise you or anyone else in things running. But in terms of philosophy,  I've never subscribed to the balls-to-the-wall stitch-up-your-gaping-wound-and-keep-running mentality.

I run as part of an overall regimen of fitness that I plan on continuing into old age, God willing. That plan does not include being injured in a crippling way and damaging my body. In my opinion, it's better to go for longevity than to go for short term performance and risk long term pain and injury.

I don't care about a single race or a a single training run or ever a single week or month. I want to be working out when I'm 80 and older, if i have the privilege to live that long. That's the race I'm running.

Alright, that's my way more than 2 cents worth. Thanks for listening

 

SO has been weightlifting for many years as well. Contrary to you, he is terrified at the idea that running may make him look smaller.

Most professional boxers run about 30 mpw and in fact "road work" is the foundation of their training. These guys are definitely not small, at least middleweight and above.

yeah you totally have the right attitude.