Has anyone here completed an Ironman successfully after dealing with a running injury (heel for me) 6 weeks before the race date? I’ve done plenty of swim and great bike training and feel ready for the swim/bike portion in a few weeks. However running is normally my best part of the Ironman, but have always done plenty of big training runs and plenty of run volume during the training season. But 6 week out feels scary without the run training. My longest run is only 17 miles, 3 weeks ago. A doctor of PT gave me the green light to race ruling out anything serious and my coach thinks I can do it with the water running I’ve done to replace ground running. (I could not get a Podiatrist to see me before the race date as they are booked out, even after begging one lol)
This will be IM #5 if I race. I’m not going there to complete it. I was hoping for a shot at Kona. But with this injury and now only one slot, it feels more unlikely. But others have said it’s 80% mental. The drive to the race venue is going to be brutal and long and part of me hopes the race will be canceled (to be totally honest). I would love to stay home and just get my foot better. But my husband keeps telling me I’ve worked so hard this past year.
If my foot is still quite sore, I won’t race but if it subsides in a few weeks, I may give it a go.
What’s the injury? Is it bone related/impossible to run through? Depending on the severity (and of course what’s recommended by a professional…) I would take time off now and bump up bike volume plus water running. If possible the last week or two before the race add in light 20 min jogs every other day to get used to some pounding again. Additional lower leg strength work will help things too if permitted with your injury.
It can be done but you will be very sore post race!
Not personally but two friends I can think of had issues that kept them from running for a similar period of time before race day and they biked extra and also did lots of water running. Both had great races and strong marathons. Water running sucks, I’ve done it myself. But it definitely helps.
Not personally but two friends I can think of had issues that kept them from running for a similar period of time before race day and they biked extra and also did lots of water running. Both had great races and strong marathons. Water running sucks, I’ve done it myself. But it definitely helps.
Thanks, this is what I’m looking for…if others have been in the same boat and done the marathon OK w/o out the ground running. Yeah water running is not my favorite thing to do. I’m lucky I have a beautiful mountain pond a 10 min mountain bike ride away. I water run out to the middle and watch the loons and other water birds. It could be worse
Yes. Great running is your best part. Rest and dont push the heel. Focus on coming in as healthy as you can be and I bet it goes fine. Sure swim running can work well, but give it as must rest as you can. Think of the upside, you will come in super fresh. There is an old saying, rather being undertrained and healthy then well trained and injured. Take that to heart here.
Has anyone here completed an Ironman successfully after dealing with a running injury (heel for me) 6 weeks before the race date? I’ve done plenty of swim and great bike training and feel ready for the swim/bike portion in a few weeks. However running is normally my best part of the Ironman, but have always done plenty of big training runs and plenty of run volume during the training season. But 6 week out feels scary without the run training. My longest run is only 17 miles, 3 weeks ago. A doctor of PT gave me the green light to race ruling out anything serious and my coach thinks I can do it with the water running I’ve done to replace ground running. (I could not get a Podiatrist to see me before the race date as they are booked out, even after begging one lol)
This will be IM #5 if I race. I’m not going there to complete it. I was hoping for a shot at Kona. But with this injury and now only one slot, it feels more unlikely. But others have said it’s 80% mental. The drive to the race venue is going to be brutal and long and part of me hopes the race will be canceled (to be totally honest). I would love to stay home and just get my foot better. But my husband keeps telling me I’ve worked so hard this past year.
If my foot is still quite sore, I won’t race but if it subsides in a few weeks, I may give it a go.
Any success stories out there from STers?
I have from a calf injury 5-6 weeks out. A grade 2 strain (so not a total rupture, but fecken sore as hell).
I missed the longest runs (got to 15 miles max on the runs before it occurred.
Basically no more running until the week before the race - and then just a couple of short (1 or 2 mile max) gentle jogging testers only.
I just did the hours on the swim and bike instead. Avoided pushing off the wall on turns, had to swap sides for which leg led on decents on the bike (so to not strain it again), and no stand up outside of the saddle on the bike - seated riding only. It was pretty sore for a couple of weeks then seemed to resolve. But I defo tried to avoid loading it too much.
Saw a physio, plenty of ice, etc. And some gentle stretches only once healing.
Now… if I then tell you i got my best IM time yet !! (Albeit I’m MOP at best and a hours off a podium !).
I had an injury that prevented me from running for 10-12wks prior to an IM once. I did not bother water running, just biked a lot more. In my case, I was able to get back to running around 2wks before the race, but signed up for a further out Ironman as a replacement and did a ‘planned withdrawal’. My longest run leading up to the race was 4mi. Race day I rode the bejesus out of the bike because I was supposed to run 4 miles maximum off the bike. I ran 8 miles off the bike pretty well then withdrew because it seemed impossible for me to KQ. I regret that decision with hindsight, probably would have managed a top 5 and an IM PR, though it’s impossible to say . . . 18mi is still a long way to run. Anyway, many people have run well in similar circumstances (most famously Tim O’Donell prior to getting second at Kona). An Ironman outcome is really about three things:
Bike pacing and endurance
Nutrition
Running Ability
If you get the first two, you’ll probably have a pretty good run even if #3 is down from your best level.
I had an injury that prevented me from running for 10-12wks prior to an IM once. I did not bother water running, just biked a lot more. In my case, I was able to get back to running around 2wks before the race, but signed up for a further out Ironman as a replacement and did a ‘planned withdrawal’. My longest run leading up to the race was 4mi. Race day I rode the bejesus out of the bike because I was supposed to run 4 miles maximum off the bike. I ran 8 miles off the bike pretty well then withdrew because it seemed impossible for me to KQ. I regret that decision with hindsight, probably would have managed a top 5 and an IM PR, though it’s impossible to say . . . 18mi is still a long way to run. Anyway, many people have run well in similar circumstances (most famously Tim O’Donell prior to getting second at Kona). An Ironman outcome is really about three things:
Bike pacing and endurance
Nutrition
Running Ability
If you get the first two, you’ll probably have a pretty good run even if #3 is down from your best level.
Thanks
I do remember Tim O’Donnell nabbing 2nd after not running for a while. I was thinking a couple pros have done this. Of course they are professionals and I’m a middle-aged female AGer with only a few IMs under my belt. But still it’s hopeful.
Has anyone here completed an Ironman successfully after dealing with a running injury (heel for me) 6 weeks before the race date? I’ve done plenty of swim and great bike training and feel ready for the swim/bike portion in a few weeks. However running is normally my best part of the Ironman, but have always done plenty of big training runs and plenty of run volume during the training season. But 6 week out feels scary without the run training. My longest run is only 17 miles, 3 weeks ago. A doctor of PT gave me the green light to race ruling out anything serious and my coach thinks I can do it with the water running I’ve done to replace ground running. (I could not get a Podiatrist to see me before the race date as they are booked out, even after begging one lol)
This will be IM #5 if I race. I’m not going there to complete it. I was hoping for a shot at Kona. But with this injury and now only one slot, it feels more unlikely. But others have said it’s 80% mental. The drive to the race venue is going to be brutal and long and part of me hopes the race will be canceled (to be totally honest). I would love to stay home and just get my foot better. But my husband keeps telling me I’ve worked so hard this past year.
If my foot is still quite sore, I won’t race but if it subsides in a few weeks, I may give it a go.
Any success stories out there from STers?
I have from a calf injury 5-6 weeks out. A grade 2 strain (so not a total rupture, but fecken sore as hell).
I missed the longest runs (got to 15 miles max on the runs before it occurred.
Basically no more running until the week before the race - and then just a couple of short (1 or 2 mile max) gentle jogging testers only.
I just did the hours on the swim and bike instead. Avoided pushing off the wall on turns, had to swap sides for which leg led on decents on the bike (so to not strain it again), and no stand up outside of the saddle on the bike - seated riding only. It was pretty sore for a couple of weeks then seemed to resolve. But I defo tried to avoid loading it too much.
Saw a physio, plenty of ice, etc. And some gentle stretches only once healing.
Now… if I then tell you i got my best IM time yet !! (Albeit I’m MOP at best and a hours off a podium !).
Good luck !
Nice job!
Calf injuries are painful. I always have really tight sore calves after a half IM or after a lot of speed work.
How long have you had off running? If it’s only been a few weeks, you should be able to get close to 100% assuming you can do a reasonable amount of training in the next 6 weeks.
Could the PT not give you an idea of what the issue is? I thought I had a potential serious injury, but it was just a heel spur and was told I couldn’t make it any worse. I would try and get an x-ray to see if you can find out more and you may be able avoid water running if it’s a positive outcome (I tried water running once when injured and seemed to lose a lot of fitness, though I know others have found it a lot more successful)
I had a small stress fracture on the tibia 8 weeks out of my first ironman. 2 weeks without biking, almost 4 of no running at all, followed by very slow ramp up to max of 10k at once, with my first km at planned IM pace 5 days out.
I had a great race. My twin brother, in similar shape to me before the injury, was barely 5min faster overall, and I beat him on the marathon.
The run volume in the last weeks is not very important in my opinion.
The downside is I started rehab from zero again, and that time around for 3-4 months rather than 2…
Has anyone here completed an Ironman successfully after dealing with a running injury (heel for me) 6 weeks before the race date? I’ve done plenty of swim and great bike training and feel ready for the swim/bike portion in a few weeks. However running is normally my best part of the Ironman, but have always done plenty of big training runs and plenty of run volume during the training season. But 6 week out feels scary without the run training. My longest run is only 17 miles, 3 weeks ago. A doctor of PT gave me the green light to race ruling out anything serious and my coach thinks I can do it with the water running I’ve done to replace ground running. (I could not get a Podiatrist to see me before the race date as they are booked out, even after begging one lol)
This will be IM #5 if I race. I’m not going there to complete it. I was hoping for a shot at Kona. But with this injury and now only one slot, it feels more unlikely. But others have said it’s 80% mental. The drive to the race venue is going to be brutal and long and part of me hopes the race will be canceled (to be totally honest). I would love to stay home and just get my foot better. But my husband keeps telling me I’ve worked so hard this past year.
If my foot is still quite sore, I won’t race but if it subsides in a few weeks, I may give it a go.
Any success stories out there from STers?
A few things here to unpack:
I broke a rib 6 weeks out and couldn’t run for 3 weeks and not swim for 30 days. Since you’re doing this to complete it you will be fine in the regard). Just manage your expiations.
It’s not 80% mental. Its 80% physical so be honest here. You’re going to do this IM, it’s going to suck, and you will feel it…That is the 20% mental part. It’s going to hurt…that is the 80% physical part.
It’s pretty selfish for you wanting this IM to be canceled because a coupled of thousand other people who have been training their butts off, delayed family, work, leisure time, want to race it. (appreciate the honesty though)
Has anyone here completed an Ironman successfully after dealing with a running injury (heel for me) 6 weeks before the race date? I’ve done plenty of swim and great bike training and feel ready for the swim/bike portion in a few weeks. However running is normally my best part of the Ironman, but have always done plenty of big training runs and plenty of run volume during the training season. But 6 week out feels scary without the run training. My longest run is only 17 miles, 3 weeks ago. A doctor of PT gave me the green light to race ruling out anything serious and my coach thinks I can do it with the water running I’ve done to replace ground running. (I could not get a Podiatrist to see me before the race date as they are booked out, even after begging one lol)
This will be IM #5 if I race. I’m not going there to complete it. I was hoping for a shot at Kona. But with this injury and now only one slot, it feels more unlikely. But others have said it’s 80% mental. The drive to the race venue is going to be brutal and long and part of me hopes the race will be canceled (to be totally honest). I would love to stay home and just get my foot better. But my husband keeps telling me I’ve worked so hard this past year.
If my foot is still quite sore, I won’t race but if it subsides in a few weeks, I may give it a go.
Any success stories out there from STers?
A few things here to unpack:
I broke a rib 6 weeks out and couldn’t run for 3 weeks and not swim for 30 days. Since you’re doing this to complete it you will be fine in the regard). Just manage your expiations.
It’s not 80% mental. Its 80% physical so be honest here. You’re going to do this IM, it’s going to suck, and you will feel it…That is the 20% mental part. It’s going to hurt…that is the 80% physical part.
It’s pretty selfish for you wanting this IM to be canceled because a coupled of thousand other people who have been training their butts off, delayed family, work, leisure time, want to race it. (appreciate the honesty though)
No need to be judgmental or self righteous as I disclosed I was just sharing some honest feelings.
And you didn’t read my post correctly. I am not doing this IM just to complete it. My original goal was a kona slot but now since it’s looking unlikely, there is a good chance I will just let my foot heal and move on in life.
Please folks, only helpful comments. No need to be judgy. There’s enough of that on the internet.
Injury may be timely. You can’t overtrain the run now!
If you have a long run of 17 miles this is plenty
Swim, bike, water run, Elliptical, lots of walking if you can, and you should be ready to roll on race day. Ironman is not about speed. it is about not slowing down and not slowing down is about endurance which is built over 60-600 weeks not 6 weeks. You’re set.
A doctor of PT gave me the green light to race ruling out anything serious and my coach thinks I can do it with the water running I’ve done to replace ground running.
Any success stories out there from STers?
I’ve never done an Ironman or raced soon after a running injury, but you may want to check Sebastian Kienle’s videos. He’s been battling an Achilles injury for years, using water running as well as a weird harness-like contraption on the treadmill with much success (to the point where he ran though much of the field in 70.3 Worlds in Nice 2019).
Has anyone here completed an Ironman successfully after dealing with a running injury (heel for me) 6 weeks before the race date? I’ve done plenty of swim and great bike training and feel ready for the swim/bike portion in a few weeks. However running is normally my best part of the Ironman, but have always done plenty of big training runs and plenty of run volume during the training season. But 6 week out feels scary without the run training. My longest run is only 17 miles, 3 weeks ago. A doctor of PT gave me the green light to race ruling out anything serious and my coach thinks I can do it with the water running I’ve done to replace ground running. (I could not get a Podiatrist to see me before the race date as they are booked out, even after begging one lol)
This will be IM #5 if I race. I’m not going there to complete it. I was hoping for a shot at Kona. But with this injury and now only one slot, it feels more unlikely. But others have said it’s 80% mental. The drive to the race venue is going to be brutal and long and part of me hopes the race will be canceled (to be totally honest). I would love to stay home and just get my foot better. But my husband keeps telling me I’ve worked so hard this past year.
If my foot is still quite sore, I won’t race but if it subsides in a few weeks, I may give it a go.
Any success stories out there from STers?
if anything serious has been ruled out, you have good chances to be back running within a couple of weeks. at that point, your race will be 4 weeks away: with a 5 miles run every other day on soft terrain, you’ll be good to go. in the meanwhile, stretch a lot and ice bath the ill foot
I think lifetime mileage/fitness suggests you’ll be ok. Are you going to be able to train outdoors before the race? There’s still time to get in some decent long runs/workouts. 1-2 weeks during a block shouldn’t kill a race. More than that and your race still isn’t over but you do want to make sure that you’re able to get some of that lost fitness back.
Tore my meniscus (turned out to be a minor tear) doing an olympic club champs race three weeks before the last IM I did. Two weeks before I couldn’t ride my bike for more than 30 mins without excruciating pain. Race and holiday booked oversees (it was Roth), so no way I wasn’t doing it. Regular ibuprofen during race and probably cost me 20-30 mins on target time. Six weeks is plenty. You’ll be fine, just accept mentally you might not KQ to remove that pressure. If you can keep the swim and bike fitness up the race atmosphere will get you through the run. Think positive and you might surprise yourself and find out you perform just as well without your usual run volume!
Im not a coach nor a physio but from my own experience as long as it has healed properly before the race (and you therefore won’t be making the situation worse) and you can get up to say an hour of easy running before the day, then just give it a go. Let’s face it unless you are a pro or elite age grouper we don’t ‘run’ the marathon, we run/jog/shuffle and walk.
