Dear Neil;
I just found out that I have a stress fracture in each leg. What makes this
news hard to accept is that I've been training for the Marine Corps Marathon
since March and the race is quickly approaching. The farthest distance I've
run was 18 miles (and was diagnosed a little over a week later). The
marathon is at the end of October. Do you think I would still be able to
run the marathon? The only reasoning I've been able to come up with is that
I ran the 18 on a strained hamstring and the 2 stress fractures - so I
should be able to do 26 miles on good legs no problem. Please tell me this
is possible. What can I do to speed up my recovery? Is there a magic
vitamin or something that will protect me from getting this again?
Thanks for your help.
Marie, if you were my client, I would change your event to a triathelon. Less
pounding, lots of exercise, and much more fun than a marathon. As far as the
Marine Corp Marathon is concerned. Six weeks from the time the fracture is
diagnosed, PLUS back on a training schedule to build up your miles, and if you
are not able to do a long run - like 18 miles two weeks before the race - then
bag it! Sorry!
