counting down.

18 days stand between the finish line and me. I'll be pounding the pavement in the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 28th. I am so excited to tackle 26.2 for the second time. The only problem? I'm a big klutz and my left knee bore the brunt of my clumnisness. According to my doctor, I have a collateral ligament sprain--a not-so-glorious development in my marathon training regimen. 


In mid-September, I stepped very poorly onto a tree root eight miles into a thirteen mile run. Though I thought I might have rolled my ankle, I continued on and finished my miles. I ran another 5, 8, and then 20 miles on it that week before finally admitting something was really wrong. Rather than rolling my ankle, I over-extended my knee and caused some major discomfort.

Let's be honest: I had not planned such an early "taper" before the race. Unfortunately, this little hiccup managed to slow me down quite a bit. After regular visits to my chiropractor, I am now a firm believer in kinesiology tape. {I seriously feel like I have a robo-leg when I'm all taped up!} I am running every few days--albeit short runs--and supplementing the missing runs with elliptical workouts. The tape really does help hold my tired muscles in place, which is exactly what I need.

Having a 20-miler on the books makes me confident I can do the race in a few weeks, though it may not be as fast as I originally hoped. When I trained for the marathon I ran in college, I put in half the effort I'm putting in now, so I know I'm already a step above. I simply have to remember how mental a marathon is--and keep my head in the game until I cross that finish line.


I'm doing this marathon for me. I want to prove to myself that I still have "it." When my tibia stress fractures sidelined my previous attempts in 2011, I still couldn't give up on this dream. People think marathoners are crazy {and maybe we are?!}, but in all honesty, we're just focused on a pretty big goal: the finish line.

Don't worry: I will absolutely follow my doctor's final recommendations about the race. I still had to gear up in advance though. Say hello to my latest {and umpteenth} pair of Brooks Adrenaline, my new-fangled Brooks Utopia Arm Warmers, and my fancy schmancy Brooks Infiniti Headband. {Yes, I'm a Brooks loyalist, if you couldn't tell.} I may not match, but I'll be ready for whatever weather comes my way ;)

I can't thank you enough for all of your support over the last few months while I work toward this major goal. Any of your thoughts/prayers are welcome in the coming days. My problems are minor in the big scheme of life, but I would really love to crest the hill at the Iwo Jima Memorial again on October 28th. If you have any advice in the running/injury department, I'm all ears. Have a great Wednesday!

25 comments:

  1. Alison I'm so sorry about that setback, but I'm so happy that you're still staying strong and still running . I know you're going to do fantastic! Sending prayers your way!

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  2. This is awesome! (The robo leg, not the injury.)

    And.... you are definitely crazy.

    xo

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  3. Wishing you lots of luck at the MCM! I hope your leg feels strong and awesome throughout!!

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  4. You go girl!!! Love the pink tape! lol Best of luck in the race!!

    Alissa
    FeelingGoodFashion.blogspot.com

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  5. oh my goodness, i'm so sorry for all your setbacks! but i love your attitude, that'll be what gets you through. after cheering people on in the chicago marathon last weekend, i am so inspired! i mean, i still can't fathom doing one myself, but i am training for the disneyworld half in january, so that's something ;)

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  6. Oh phooey for running injuries:( At least the tape is pink--I'm going to have to ask my PT about that:) Good luck with the marathon though and so glad you shared running gear, I love seeing what other runners use!

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  7. I had a robo-hip during the last marine corp marathon. That tape allowed me to walk the next day! Don't miss the last water station in crystal city! I thought there would be another and it was a long hill to the finish! Good luck! It's a beautiful marathon!

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  8. I hyperextended my knee and was out for months and months! :( it was terrible. I still have minor probs for it so no marathons in my future. I am a Brooks enthusiast as well....obsessed with their shoes.

    XO and good luck! you'll do great!

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  9. So exciting! And I've been wondering what that tape is called; I saw a bunch of people rocking it this weekend. But you're going to do AMAZING girl. I am in awe of you!

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  10. this is so interesting. i haven't run properly since i really injured my knee during a marathon last year but i am desperate to get back out there. maybe i will look into trying this tape.
    lots of luck for the big day -- i'll be sending positive thoughts your way :) xx

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  11. Your robo leg is cute Alison!! Hope all goes well and well done on the perseverance - very proud!
    x

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  12. I got diagnosed with Plantar Fascitis 6 weeks before my first marathon, Marine Corps 2010, so I know what it like to get injured before a big race - it sucks! You're absolutely right and this race is going to be all mental because you know marathoners are a crazy bunch.

    Maybe I'll see you there! I can't decide if I want to go to the expo on Thursday or Friday. I'm much more excited now that I got my three 20 mile runs out of the way.

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  13. oohhh good luck! Rarely does an injury stop a true athlete :)

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  14. You go girl! I admire your dedication, I'm sure it will pay off! Good luck :) x

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  15. I used to get that tape on my ribs. Oh the memories...

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  16. I'm running my second full in December, and I've never used tape ... I don't know that I really know how to use it, haha. Definitely interested though, so I may have to use the Google machine and read up!

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  17. i love the pink tape (especially since it makes your knee feel better)! and i love the new gear! i haven't even come close to figuring out what to wear!

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  18. Good luck on the run! The MCM is a beautiful marathon - nice and flat for the most part, and once you get past the five zillion turns around the Pentagon in the beginning, the scenery is beautiful! :) KC

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  19. Ouch! Good for you for keeping up with it despite your injury! Lots of my friends run marathons and half marathons so I'm used to cheering on runners (extend of my running participation haha). Good luck and hope your leg gets better soon!!!

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  20. Such a bummer about your knee and I had no idea you had previously dealt with a stress fracture (I'm dealing with one of my own, but in the cuboid bone.) I know you're going to rock the race! I'm so proud of you. And kinieso tape for me through my knee dislocation almost 2 years ago. Love that stuff!

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  21. So glad to hear you can still do the race! :)

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  22. Injuries are always a bummer, especially right before something that you've put so much blood, sweat, and tears into!!! But I think you're so right, running a marathon is definitely a large percentage mental and it sounds like you've got that department covered! Good luck, my dear, kick that marathon's trash!!! (c;

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  23. I am so scared of injury. After having to DNS a half marathon last November I realize how quickly it can onset, and I hold my breath every run that something doesn't happen. Me and my foam roller have been getting realllll close lately, and I ice my knees whenever I think they may need them. I'm so hoping that you're feeling better my MCM. I just can't imagine training for a marathon and getting injured and not being able to start like you did last time. I would imagine that if you're getting the go ahead you'll be fine. Plus, apparently NYC sent out an email to all the people running it about making sure you'd done 80% of your training plan, and if you'd done 80% you'd be ready to go. They even suggested that if you had done more you may have done too much. It sounds like you're doing all the right things. I've never using kinesiology tape, but I've seen so many people use it and want to give it a whirl. I cannot wait for this race and to hear your recap. Will you share your bib number beforehand so I can text track you? I love being able to track people I know running in races. I'm so excited for you! Will you write a recap? Oh please do. I love when you post about running.

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  24. You are an inspiration! Thanks for sharing this with us. :-) <3 You've got my thoughts and prayers!

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