***SmokeyBailey***

Mariah&Steven

Hey!Before I injured myself I was running 11 miles at about an 11 minute mile pace, which I was perfectly happy with and really proud of because I had never considered myself a "runner".  Now I'm just concerned about how to get back in the game after really hurting my ankle.  How long should I rest it?  What can I do for cardio in the meantime?  I've signed up to run a Turkey Trot 8 mile on Thanksgiving so hopefully that will be an indicator of how I'm going to do on Dec 13th when I run my half.  I'll definitely be wrapping up my ankles so that I don't have another problem!Any suggestions?  Also how did you work your way up to a marathon?  How long did you train?  Did you train with a group?

Brie2010

(lurking) I am interested as well.  I have a half on the calendar for April and just got re-diagnosed with asthma.  Good times.

smokeybailey

If you can run 11 miles at an 11 mile pace, you are doing fantastic!  My first half I ran in 2:36, much slower than you are running so you are in great shape for your run.  I don't know what your injury is so I don't want to make any recommendations.  If it's minor and maybe just sore, then do the bike or maybe an elliptical until you work through it.  If you have a doctor diagnosed injury, I'd talk with him/her.  You have so much time before your half, don't push.  You will run faster in the race than you will in training (I find).Training....I have never been good at that.  Did I train for my marathon?  Really, no.  I ran a half in July and then ran 10 miles maybe twice between the half and the full in October.  I did run quite a few 5's in the two or three weeks leading up to the full.  I used the walk/run method to pick up time and keep my muscles rested.  If I had trained I would have had a way better time.  Rest your ankle for another week and then try walking and some bike or elliptical, like I said.  Unless your doc told you differently.  Then start running in short spurts again.  No need to run more than 10 miles though.  If you can run 10, you can run 13.I am not a runner either.  I just up and decided to do it because my BF had done it.  I can't stand when he does something that I don't do.  I am competitive.

Mariah&Steven

Thanks!  And I think I just sprained my ankle pretty badly.  It's over twice the size it normally is... I just have to say I'm so impressed that you trained without joining a group!  Right now I'm just running with my husband and he's not even going to do the races with  me.  He wants it to be my "thing" and he just supports me..which is cool because I too am REALLY competitive.  So I know that if he passed me on race day, I'd be so pissed.  

smokeybailey

Oh, if my BF counts, then yes, I am training with a group!  My best friend did team in training for her first halves and her marathon and REALLY benefited.  I would definitely suggest it.If he had let me, I would have bailed on the full.  I mean, I really thought I was going to die the week leading up to it. But then I was out there and I was cruising until about mile 18 then I started feeling it when I would walk.  Mile 22 I was giving myself extra seconds to walk.  Mile 24, "I am SO close, I am going to run the rest of the way!"  Not.  Mile 25-seriously, Karen?  Do you want to walk it in?  MOOOVE!  Then this lady from the sidelines yelled, it's right around the corner, just run!  So I did and I sprinted the last .2 miles.   

Mariah&Steven

That's awesome!  I ran part of a relay last year at the same race I'll be running my half at this year.  There were all these spectators there cheering everyone on.  It was so uplifting and made me want to keep going.  I honestly can't wait to run my half.  It will just feel like such a huge accomplishment.  There's another full marathon in April that I'm considering running.  I'll see how the half goes and then decide.  But I figure that would give me plenty of time to train for a full.