My Forum

Hi everyone,

First time forum user here and recent marathon convert. This time last year I resolved to get fit after years of innactivity and approaching my forties and I set myself the goal of the New York Marathon. Between the end of January and mid September I ran almost 900 training miles and lost 27kg in weight. Unfortunately having not done strength, core conditioning or hill work by right ITB flared up, followed by glutes and hip adductors. Despite weekly physio I couldn't run for the seven weeks leading up to the marathon date.

Devastated I resolved to attempt the run, which was for charity, so got a cortisone shot and left for New York. We all know what happened so won't bore you with the details. I ran anyway, four and a half killer laps of Central Park, with thousands of others. My injected knee held out until mile 11 and then the pain led me to compensate with the right leg until that two gave up. I limped and walked as fast as I could the rest of the way and made the distance.The damage was done - severe bursitis and ITBS on both legs. I actually did more harm by walking to the end but the charity weighed on my mind.

Bringing me to the point of this post - for the last 11 weeks I have rested and stretched and haven't run one bit. The pain has been severe and I've now had cortisone shots in both knees in the last week. I've been given two weeks before I can run again so my question is this. If I can get back up to 15-16 miles in the next two month and I'm free of pain do I risk it all for my place in the Paris Marathon or should I withdraw no matter how well training is going and save myself for Berlin in September? On the back of that any good ten week training plans?

Could really use some sage old advice even if I'm not quite ready to hear it just yet.

Thanks

Duncan