Should I run tomorrow? (Read 663 times)

I am having some difficulty post race. Day after I was a little stiff in the morning and by evening I could barely walk. Hubby gave me a massage that almost ended in divorce. I was in so much pain I took some painkillers left over from my operation late October and woke up today throwing up and unable to move. The pain killers were opiates and wiped me out completely! Now I remember why I didn't take them at the time. I've spent the whole day in bed and hubby had to leave work to look after the kids. Anyhow, after much sleep today I am feeling a little better this evening and managed to eat something just now. My legs however are stiff as could be. Janell, I read your reply to my Race Report about getting moving and off the couch. Assuming I am eating and not vomiting tomorrow should I run to help my legs or should I rest them until walking isn't painful (read 'agonizing'). How far do I run? Can someone drug the Pace Bunny for me? My poor husband must think I am mad subjecting myself to this! Claire xxx

Tough question to answer. Personally, I believe in doing something, since it helps me stay looser. I took one day off after my marathon, then ran slow short miles for a week after, but it was something to get me up and moving. Of course, I've met others who take at least a week off before doing anything even remotely like a workout after a tough event, so it's really up to you. Maybe try to run, but if you're not feeling it, that's cool, bag the workout and try again later.

Listen to your body! It's one thing to be in a little pain and a little stiff and go for a very easy recovery run. BUT if your having a hard time walking and your in agonizing pain take another day off! After my first race (granted it was a Marathon) I took 6 weeks off before running again so I think taking 3-5 days off won't hurt you. Just my 2cents worth.

After my first race last October (10 miles) I felt knackered and my legs were very sore though not quite as bad as yours. I did cycle to work and back (total 6 miles) the following day onwards but when I tried to run after 4 days I couldn't even manage 1 mile of running/walking. I did read somewhere that you should take 1 days rest for each mile raced, it sounded like a bit of a generalisation but i gave it a go - i think it was 9 days before i ran again.

I agree with Lynn that you should take an NSAD (ibuprofen or naproxen) instead of other pain killers because they help reduce inflamation versus just masking the pain. Had I known you'll be in such pain, I would have suggested taking an ice bath right afterwards. As unconfortable as that may sound, it does wonders to the beat up legs! Other than that, listen to your body. If your legs hurt, skip the run. Maybe you can do some stretching in the mean time to relax the muscles. Hope you feel better soon!

Hi Claire, It's Lyn from Saturday, how are you??? Sorry to hear you feeling so bad, don't forget you did a brilliant time for your first race and it was bloody hard!! I haven't been for a run yet as I have been too sore, I went for a big walk on Sunday not very fast and I will be going for a bike ride tonight when Col gets in from work. I'm sorry we lost you at the ferry, Ian lost his ticket and we were ages trying to find it!! We came home that night as I just wanted my own bed, we were going to stay until Sunday but I'm glad we didn't, I like to be pathetic in my own home!!!!!! Thanks for telling us about this site, it's brill. When we put our normal routes in I found out I was running a lot less than I thought!! I am on a mission to find more hills and to build up to do a half marathon. Col's looked at the Rotoura course and realised that it is as tough as people have said so he's stepping up his training next week when his legs have recovered a bit!! Take care, don't push it with your training you don't want to put yourself back with an injury, with all the walking you do your legs will come good in a couple of days!! Be good!!!! Lynxx