Finding My New Limits

When planning out my running goals earlier this year, I had planned to train hard for the Brooklyn Half (on May 17) to learn what my limits actually are so that when I start marathon training I could set a reasonable completion time goal.

I still plan to learn what my limits are at the Brooklyn Half.  With 31 days to prepare, I have a new plan to jog/walk the race.  The required minimum pace is 13:45 per mile.  If I can walk half of the race at a 15 minute/mile pace and jog half at a 12 minute/mile pace I'll have an average pace of about 13:30, which is good enough.

My doctor said that running will not make my condition worse - so if you're worried about that, don't.  He did say that I probably wouldn't be able to run this half marathon, but that a full marathon in September is not out of the question.  He suggested that while I have pain, I walk or bike.

Yesterday I walked 4 miles at a 2.5 mph pace on a treadmill.  I'll need to pick that up to a sustained 4 mph walk for my race plans to pan out.  Its important to ease in so I can learn what I can do without hurting afterwards.  The 4 mile walk was fine, in fact I felt less pain after walking than I did before.  I'm planning to try another 4 miles at a 3 mph pace tomorrow.  On Saturday I'll attempt a jog/walk for about 6 miles.  If at any point the jogging is too painful I'll stop.

My injury is a back injury, however my pain is classic sciatica.  This means that my back doesn't actually hurt, rather the pressure on the nerve is making my right glute, calf, and ankle hurt. The pain is at its worst in the morning, getting better as the day goes on.  Sadly the race starts at 7am.  I'll come up with some plan to minimize the pain by the time I'm crossing the start line.

As a bright point: my treatment does seem to be working.  Last week, walking 2 blocks to the garage where we park our car was slow and terrible.  This week I can 4 miles with no pain.  Here's hoping that I continue to make this type of progress!