How Much Pain Is Too Much?
by Robert James Reese » Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 » 7 Comments
Where do you draw the line between "normal" pain and something that means you need to back off? If you ignore an important warning and push too hard, you're likely to injure yourself. But, if you stopped running every time something hurts, you'd never run.
Of course, this isn't a new question at all. It's been around about as long as people have been running competitively, I'm sure. So why ask it now?
Well, my right foot is unbearably sore and has been most of the week. I'm limping when I walk and experience a sharp, acute pain whenever I try to bend my toes or put weight on directly on the foot. Still, I'd probably ignore it if it wasn't visible, but it is – The middle of my foot has been all red and swollen for a few days now.
After taking yesterday off, I ran 5.5 miles at 6:54 pace today and the foot was killing me the whole time. I had originally planned to do 9 miles tomorrow, but now I'm thinking about canceling that or replacing it with a shorter run. I have a big weekend (a 10K race on Saturday and a 20+ mile long run on Sunday) and want to be ready for those.
And yet, I can't help but think that this is just my body trying to trick me into being lazy. I mean, there has been a near constant stream of aches and pains lately. Maybe I need to just buck up and run through them...
I wish I had a crystal ball.
Of course, this isn't a new question at all. It's been around about as long as people have been running competitively, I'm sure. So why ask it now?
Well, my right foot is unbearably sore and has been most of the week. I'm limping when I walk and experience a sharp, acute pain whenever I try to bend my toes or put weight on directly on the foot. Still, I'd probably ignore it if it wasn't visible, but it is – The middle of my foot has been all red and swollen for a few days now.
After taking yesterday off, I ran 5.5 miles at 6:54 pace today and the foot was killing me the whole time. I had originally planned to do 9 miles tomorrow, but now I'm thinking about canceling that or replacing it with a shorter run. I have a big weekend (a 10K race on Saturday and a 20+ mile long run on Sunday) and want to be ready for those.
And yet, I can't help but think that this is just my body trying to trick me into being lazy. I mean, there has been a near constant stream of aches and pains lately. Maybe I need to just buck up and run through them...
I wish I had a crystal ball.
7 Comments
I sympathize. I thought of the "twinge" rule: If I feel a twinge, I stop. Here's the problem, as you note. If I stop when I feel a twinge, I wouldn't get down the block. So I follow the "twinge" plus rule. I often have three or four different things ache at various points in a run,. It's when I feel something either new or more intense than I'm used to that I pull up. Or if I feel something unusually intense that doesn't go away in a minute or so. So if I get something in a hamstring that doesn't quickly stop, I do.
You have to be disciplined about not running. As Marcy notes, to do otherwise is a good way to be out for months. Fatigue and minor aches and pains are things that you can push yourself through. This sounds much more serious and won't go away with constant pressure. I'd give it some time.
Was really hoping to do the Scotland Run this Saturday, but I will probably sit it out. I'm training for the Bklyn Half, and, like Joe said, I'd rather lose a week or two than a month.
On the other hand if I can convince myself that exercise is good for my broken rib, or whatever it is, I'm totally getting my racing kilt on and running for the Golden Haggis.
Denial could carry the day.
I'm going back and forth on the Scotland Run myself. If I'm physically able, I'll be there. So many of my friends are running this one that it'll be hard for me to stay away. We'll see what happens.
Take care of that foot! Here's to a speedy recovery.
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