I started training for a half-marathon in February but suffered knee bursitis...now im behind!?Now I only have 5 weeks left to train...before the bursitis i was running 4 miles without losing my breath but now I have lost some of endurance and can hardly manage 2 miles. Would it work if i trained 5 days a week...3 days of training using the elliptical and 2 days running outside...don't want to over do it outside because of my knee. i was thinking of running/elliptical for 3 miles on sun, mon and thurs and then having a long run on weds and saturdays. This would entail running outside on sundays and wednesday and using the elliptical the other three days. Would this get me in shape enough to finish the marathon?
- Moosey Flathead
I've been running distance a long time and sympathize with you. I have had to deal with injury a lot. In over 30 years of distance running I have come to realize something important. You are only responsible for what you can do and no more.
Hey, if you are injured make allowances. Your body will let you know when you are pushing too hard. I recommend long, slow distance training. Walk if you need to but cover distance and don't overstress your knees. You may not break any speed records on race day but it feels good to run a strong, well paced race.
This is a good rule of thumb for me. Take the distance that you can run day after day without wearing down and multiply by 3. This is a good measurement of my exhaustion point in a race. It may work for you. So if you can handle 5 miles day after day, you can finish the race.
Also, be careful about your running style. I had to change my style to save my knees. I switched to the Pose running style and now have absolutely no knee pain. (See Link) Basically, the pose method teaches to lean forward, keep your feet under you and take shorter, faster steps. Land on the balls of your feet.
Whatever you do, do not run with a long, heel striking stride if you have knee problems. I am also an engineer and can tell you that heel striking puts a lot of stress on your knee from a mechanics standpoint.
Good luck and stay with it.
- Adam D
I think you can still make it. You'll need to focus on adding mileage and paying attention to your health. Does 5 weeks mean that the race is in 5 weeks, or the race is in 5 weeks + 2 weeks to taper your training? For a race of that length, you need to back off your mileage and shorter miles at race pace for a couple weeks. It is better to be 10% undertrained than 1% overtrained.
Your plan sounds pretty good, make sure you're putting in enough time on the eliptical as well as the outside runs, and make good use of your rest. I think just finishing is definitely within reach. And so what if you do end up walking some of it?
I'm in the 2 week taper for my first full marathon (April 5th), and I missed a chunk of training due to illness and am also behind. Don't let it worry you, just reformulate your plan (which you have), do what you can with the time you've got, and go see what happens.
Good luck!
- jffsbr
Moosey nailed it! Great answer
Orignal From: Knee Disorders: I started training for a half-marathon in February but suffered knee bursitis...now im behind!?
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