It’s 19 days to the Berlin Marathon. So how has my training been so far?
Until recently, things were going well: long runs, speed work, progression runs – all good.
Then, in mid-August, I started to feel a niggling pain in my Achilles tendon. Like any self-respecting runner, I ignored it. For a while, my cunning strategy worked: a bit of stretching, a little foam rolling and some icing seemed to do the trick.
Of course, Lady Achilles doesn’t like to be ignored. Very offended, she came back with a vengeance. Soon, she made me hobble out of bed in the morning. Then, she started to interfere with my training: I suddenly needed to take stretching breaks during my runs.
Time to wave the white flag!
Since last Thursday, I stopped running altogether.
Instead, I turned to biking:
I am now ferociously climbing our local hills, hoping this can somehow count as speed repeats. To imitate my long runs, I go for long, flat bike rides around the lake.
I have no clue how this will affect my race in Berlin. Initially, I was hoping for a time between 3:15 and 3:30. Now, I’d be happy to only finish. This is going to be an interesting race!
In other news, I went for a steamboat ride with my parents last week.
Our destination was a nice restaurant on a little island in the Lake of Zurich. I had studied the map beforehand and mentally prepared my parents for a super-easy, flat walk to the restaurant.
As planned, we walked all around the island in the shady forest for about an hour. According to Google Maps, we only had 400 metres more to go to get to the restaurant.
Imagine their shock (and mine) when we realized that most of these 400 metres were stairs. This wasn’t going to be easy.
Bravely, they persevered. They were very happy when they reached the top. And even happier when they got an extra-cold drink at the restaurant.
They’re still convinced that I secretly knew about the stairs. I swear I didn’t!
- Ever had a niggling pain shortly before a race? What did you do?
- Any advice on treating the Achilles?
I’m joining Kooky Runner and Zenaida’s link-up, Tuesday Topics. I’m also joining Runner’s Roundup with Mile By Mile, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs.
Your parents are such troopers for managing those stairs, hats off!
I´m sorry to hear about your Achilles tendon, I think you´ve done the right thing and switched to cycling. Rest is what´s needed right now I´m sure. And, if it´s inflamed, maybe an inflammatory medicine could be in order..?
They did so well! Those steps looked so daunting. My Dad kept on saying “well, let’s get this done and over with”… much like I would have said towards the end of a marathon. 🙂
Yes, I think so too. The Achilles already feels a tiny bit better, so there’s hope that I can still run Berlin without needing to walk it!
Inflammatory medicine sounds like a good idea – I will look into that, Riitta! Thank you!
Ah yes the tour boat I saw earlier. That is too funny about the 200 steps that did not appear in the map. I guess we take climbing steps for granted. A few steps no big deal. But 200 steps is a good workout.🦵💧💦 Glad your parents were still in good shape to conquer that climb. Then there was the climb down. Yikes. 😱 I am guessing this restaurant is not a full access restaurant. What do those is scooters or wheelchairs do? I imagine they don’t go there🤔
The view looks great & I imagine the food must be fine! What a great outing for the family. ⛰
You heard enough about Achilles advice I imagine also. Hope the heel pain vanishes as fast as it appeared & soon.🤔
Congrats again on the #GVRAT completion in 82 days. 🏃♀️💨
All the best in final Berlin preps. It is what it is. You will finish, crawl, walk or run. You will be able to find your 2nd star of the Abbott Marathons. Viel Glück🤚
Those steps took us quite a while with many breaks. The second set of stairs was hidden, we only saw it when we reached the top of the first set. Oh, my parents were not happy!
To make matters worse, Kai arrived with the car. The island can be reached by car over a bridge and Kai parked about 100m away from the restaurant. That didn’t help to lift my parents’ mood, haha!! But they were good sports and took it with humour. By the time we went home by car all was forgotten. 🙂
The Extra Strong Voltaren is now in action. As well as anti-inflammatory medication and icing and rolling. Lady Achilles is getting the full treatment.
Thank you, Yves! It was a fun challenge! Congrats to you for finishing well before the deadline, too!
Exactly! If need be, I will crawl over that finish line. Not a BQ, but who cares?!
Now that is even funnier! 😂You can get there by car! I can imagine your parents thinking about how their daughter knew well about the stairs & wanted them to have a little workout with her.😂 I think it must have given them a good appetite 🤔
Must be an important Island to have its own bridge. 🌞
Haha, you should have seen my Dad’s face: “Oh no, don’t tell me you can get here by car!” 🙂
We had a family get-together on Sunday and they kept on mentioning The Stairs. I think it’s going to be a running family joke.
This island even has its own castle from the 17th century! 🙂
The restaurant’s setting looks beautiful! The stairs were worth it 🙂
I’m sorry you’re injured! I saw your KT tape when I was visiting, but I didn’t realise it was so bad that you had to stop training. Hopefully, the race will still go okay.
Very much worth it, Kat! My parents were quite proud that they made it.
When you were visiting I was still in the “ignoring phase” (and hoping that some KT tape would work). But it got considerably worse a few days later. I hope that some rest will fix it!
Good morning, dear Catrina !!
D’ont worry, be happy, das mit der Achillessehne wirst du hoffentlich in den Griff bekommen, braucht ja keiner vor einem Marathon, aber immer optimistisch bleiben, das wird, ganz bestimmt !! Du hast die beste Vorbereitung – alles wird gut !! Und deine angepeilte Zeit wirst du sicherlich auch erreichen, ich halte dir alle Daumen !!
Stark – das mit den Treppen – dass das ein Schock für deine Eltern war, kann ich gut nachempfinden, aber es hat sich wirklich gelohnt – schön euer Familienausflug !!
Hatte zum Glück weder je Probleme mit der Achillessehne, noch mit störenden Schmerzen vor einem Lauf. Sicherlich wirst du ein paar nützliche Tipps für die dich quälende Sehne bekommen.
Nochmals viel Glück, ist ja noch ein paar Tage Zeit ! 🍀🍀🍀
Danke dir, liebe Margitta!
Genau! Don’t worry, be happy – das ist das Motto!
S*it happens, aber ich hoffe, dass mit ein bisschen Ruhe die Achilles sich wieder beruhigt. Es ist schon ein kitzekleines bisschen besser als vor ein paar Tagen, das ist ja immerhin etwas. 🙂
Das fiese war ja, das wir am Anfang nur die Hälfte der Treppen gesehen haben. Erst als wir den Absatz in der Mitte erreicht hatten, sahen wir, dass es nochmals so viele Treppen waren. Aber die Eltern haben durchgehalten!
Danke dir! Die Achilles ist eine Drama Queen und macht es gerne spannend. 🙂
Liebe Catrina,
oh weh, das ist mega-ärgerlich, so kurz vor dem Marathon Achilles-Probleme zu bekommen! Du bist sicherlich ansonsten top vorbereitet und mit radfahren kannst du deine Form auch halten. Nur diese Ferse sollte sich wieder beruhigen… Mit so etwas hatte ich noch nie zu tun und kann daher nicht mit Ratschlägen helfen, außer, das vielleicht mit einem Doc zu besprechen.
Ansonsten: Aus Gründen werde ich ja auch in Berlin wahrscheinlich langsam machen müssen, ggf. laufen wir dann zusammen als Tandem. Aber ich wünsche dir viel mehr, dass du deinen Plan durchziehen kannst!
So schön bunt auch diese Treppe zum Restaurant ist, das glaube ich gern, dass es ein kleiner Schock für deine Eltern war! Aber sie haben es ja wacker bewältigt und wurden mit einem grandiosen Blick über den See belohnt!
Liebe Grüße
Elke
Liebe Elke
Ha, wir werden ja eine nettes Lazarett-Trüppchen sein in Berlin!
Aber wer weiss, was in den nächsten Tagen noch passieren wird? Bis und mit Monschau hattest du ja gut trainiert und in den nächsten Tagen wirst du bestimmt wieder flüssig laufen können. Und wenn ich schön still halte, wird sich die Achilles hoffentlich auch wieder erholt haben.
Und wenn nicht, dann werden wir einfach Berlin als Genusslauf erleben. Wie das geht, wissen wir ja. 🙂
Sie haben es sehr gut gemacht! Die Durchhalteparolen erinnerten mich dabei sehr an die letzten 10km in einem Marathon. “Nur noch ein Stückchen, ihr habt es bald geschafft!”, “Oben könnt ihr euch schön ausruhen” – es hat genützt!
Liebe Grüsse aus dem halb-bedeckten Zürich!
Da können wir ja nur die Daumen drücken dass Lady Achilles schnell wieder Ruhe gibt! Eine Weile kann man das ja ignorieren, aber nichts wird besser dadurch, du machst das schon richtig so mit der Laufpause. Ich hatte das auch mal, war zum Glück nicht schlimm, eine Woche Pause, immer wieder kühlen und alles war wieder gut. Wie gesagt, ich drücke die Daumen! Wenn du erstmal in Berlin am Start stehst, sieht die Welt eh ganz anders aus und du rennst los (und schaffst deine angepeilte Zielzeit).
Eine Überraschungs-Treppe! Deine armen Eltern … Aber immerhin mit schönen Farben 😉 Sind denn alle auch wohlbehalten wieder runtergekommen?
Liebe Grüße, Oliver
Danke dir, lieber Oliver! Lady Achilles hat ja jetzt meine volle Aufmerksamkeit mit Voltaren Extra Stark, Eis, Rollen und Stretchen. Damit müsste die Drama Queen jetzt eigentlich zufrieden sein.
Ich hoffe, dass die Laufpause das richtet und die Stimmung in Berlin beflügelnd wirkt. Ansonsten wird es ein Genusslauf – auch nicht schlecht. 🙂
Ha, gute Frage: ironischerweise kann dieses Restaurant von der anderen Seite mit dem Auto erreicht werden. Das hat Kai gemacht (das half natürlich auch nicht, als mein Vater das erfahren hat…haha!) So sind wir alle zusammen bequem mit dem Auto nach Hause.
Liebe Grüsse aus dem bedeckten Zürich!
Liebe Catrina,
never try to ignore a lady!
Deine Taktik das Laufen erst mal ganz einzustellen, ist sicher klug. Vielleicht kannst du auch versuchen durch Massagen Spannung aus dem Fuss/Bein zu bekommen. Ich drück dir die Daumen, dass sich Lady Achilles beruhigen lässt, deine Form ist so gut, da verlierst du in der kurzen Zeit gar nichts. 🙂
Die Insel sieht ja richtig paradiesisch aus, auch wenn sie mit einer gehörigen Herausforderung aufwarten kann. Hut ab vor deinen Eltern, dass sie diesen Anstieg bewältigt haben!
Liebe Doris
Lesson learned! 🙂
Die kleine, orange Rolle liegt auf dem Boden neben mir und ich rolle die Lady so gefühlt alle 5 Minuten. Es hilft jedes Mal!
Ich hoffe, dass ich meine Grundfitness mit den zwei Velos aufrecht erhalten kann. Eigentlich ist das Timing der Lady nicht allzu schlecht, es wäre jetzt ja sowieso langsam Zeit für’s Tapering.
Es ist die Halbinsel Au – nicht allzu weit von Rapperswil, vielleicht kennst du das. Es gibt noch eine Insel Ufenau – auch ganz herrlich. Das kannst du ja bald mit deinem Brownie alles abfahren.
Liebe Grüsse aus dem jetzt plötzlich stürmischen Zürich!
Not happy to hear about your Achilles. Sounds like you’re keeping active so that should help.
I had a problem when I first starting running and I went to pt for many weeks. Then when I ran my half I was not trained so I ran the first half and walked the second. A PW but the Achilles pain never returned.
I was new to running. I doubt I’d do the same now. Not as smart. Lol.
Ha, that’s likely going to be my Berlin Marathon, Darlene! Run the first part until the pain kicks in and then walk the rest. Definitely not going to be a BQ!
It may have not been smart but at least your Achilles pain never returned, so there’s hope! 🙂
Ugh, so sorry to hear this!!! Yes, i’ve tried that “cunning” strategy as well of trying to run through an injury, many times. The good news is, you’re still far enough out from the marathon so that it hopefully has time to recover. It sounds like what you’re doing is perfect- a rest from running, but keeping it active so it gets enough blood flow to heal. I know this might come as a surprise, but I’ve never had an achilles injury!
That’s a funny story about the stairs. At least they were painted beautifully!
Good luck, Catrina!
Ha, I know that you are wired similarly to me, Jenny! I’m hoping that there is enough time for the Achilles to heal a little bit. Maybe it will be enough to run the whole thing in Berlin, maybe not.
Yes, with all your injuries, I’m surprised you haven’t had an Achilles injury yet! Now there’s something to be thankful for!
Thanks also for the RWR review – this is something that I will try next week!
Dear Catrina,
the good thing is that you should start tapering anyway. So basically you got your training in and now you rest hoping that it recovers till the race. I still crossing my thumbs for a BQ for you and am optimistic. I usually have some ‘fake’ injury feelings before big races – it’s really odd and by the time the race comes it’s gone.
Haha those stairs are really something. Your poor parents. I hope drink and food compensated them.
Dear Roni
Exactly! The timing isn’t all that bad – perhaps a week too early. But with biking, I should be able to maintain some kind of fitness. The Achilles is already feeling a tiny bit better, so there’s hope!
Fake injuries are so annoying – they rob your confidence and really mess with your mental game.
After they sat in the restaurant, all was forgotten! Very similar to us when we finish a race!
Aww man! I’m so sorry to hear about your Achilles. That’s so frustrating. I think you’re doing the right thing as far as resting but continuing to cycle. Maybe this will be a bit of a longer taper than expected but it may workout out in the long run. Sending you all the best for your marathon!
Thank you, Virjinia! I’m so grateful for having the cycling option. I’m hoping that this longer taper will somehow be a good thing. I’ll let you know how it went!
Sorry about your achilles! Its been awhile since I had issues with mine but I remember self-massage helping (using my hands rather than a foam roller to really get in there). Do you have a PT you can see quickly before the race? I hope it heals quickly!
You are right about the hand massage! It’s more effective than a foam roller, even the mini-foam roller. I’ve been massaging with muscle heat cream, which also seems to help. I’ve booked a PT session, and I’m happy about that!
Those stairs!!! I’m glad your parents were able to make it up and enjoy dinner and the beautiful view.
Ugh on the Achilles! You’ve done the hard work so now it’s all about maintaining during the taper. Switching over to biking is brilliant! I’d recommend continuing with what you’re doing, especially the stretching and icing. Don’t push too quickly to run, and if you do run and it feels good, keep it short. Fingers crossed for a great race!
They were glad too, Debbie! 🙂
I will! You are right, stretching and icing are great tools. In the morning, the Achilles still feels very stiff, and I make sure to only stretch it very gently and gradually.
I’m itching to run!
oh no! So sorry to read about your achilles injury. You are smart to lay off running and use cycling to stay in shape. If you have access to a pool, I might try some pool running. You have so many miles and lots of experience under your belt, if your achilles is feeling better, I have no doubt you will finish the race
What a good idea, I forgot about pool running. I have access to a pool nearby, so it should be easy to do. Thank you, Deborah!
I’ll finish that race, even if it means crawling over the finish line! 🙂
Can you get into see someone before the race? Yes, I have had a niggling pain right before a race. And I ignored it. It didn’t end well at all and that was only a half! So that’s what I learned from that race — seek help, ignoring doesn’t usually end well.
Your poor parents! They were troopers, though.
I just booked a session with a PT, I’m sure some additional massages and stretching will help.
Ah, doing a half-marathon on an injury sounds painful! How long did it take you to recover from that race? And what was the injury?
They were so proud that they conquered the stairs, Judy!
I’ve got my fingers crossed that Ms. Achilles will behave herself and take you to the finish line.
400 meters of stairs!!! That’s quite a surprise.
She’s already behaving a little better, Birchie! Hopefully, she will be less of a drama queen over the next couple of weeks.
They were so relieved after they reached the top!
I had no clue that Berlin was coming up so quickly! Sorry to hear about your Achilles. It sounds like you are doing everything right to keep it happy. Fingers crossed that all goes well!
It is quite soon! Although I’m glad because it means that my enforced taper isn’t too long. Hopefully, it will also be enough time for the Achilles to heal. Ah, the things we runners have to worry about! 🙂
Oh no, Catrina! I hope lady Achilles mellows out for you before race day. The bike is a great alternative, especially in terms of endurance and cardio. And, you cannot go wrong with those hills! Now about those steps to the restaurant…that’s a serious climb!
I had to think of you when I switched to the bike, Kim. I remember that you used it a lot as well during your recovery and you managed to maintain your fitness. So there’s living proof that it works!
I’m so sorry to hear about your achilles! You were smart to take time off and switch to the bike. I sure hope it lets you finish the marathon.
I almost died when I saw those steps. Well done, Catrina! My dad would have been swearing all the way up those, lol. But yes, the view was definitely worth it!
I hope so too, Wendy! I am determined to finish that marathon, even if I have to crawl over the finish line! 🙂
Ha, my dad was muttering under his breath… Fortunately, I didn’t catch all of it! They were so relieved to finally sit at a table.
Oh No! I am hoping your biking will help it heel… And try to get some physio, maybe?
I hope so too, Birdie! I will get some physio, too. I am happy to notice that Lady Achilles is already complaining much less… It seems that she likes the rest!
Liebe Catrina,
kurz vorher gelesen und dann beim Video-Chat gestern genaueres erfahren. Armer Pechvogel! 😥
Ich sehe es aber genauso, dass nämlich der Zeitpunkt gar nicht so dramatisch ist! Es ist definitiv so, dass in dieser Zeit jetzt nichts von deiner guten Form verloren geht, Probleme macht uns unser Kopf! Das ist nicht nur dahingesagt, ich meine es ehrlich und es ist wirklich so!
Deine Radausfahrten haben garantiert etwas kompensiert und wenn sie dir nur ein gutes Gefühl gegeben haben. Das ist auch enorm wichtig! – Tipps zur Behandlung hast du ja allein gestern Abend zur Genüge gehört, deshalb will ich nichts draufsetzen. Vielleicht nur noch das eine, massiere mit der Rolle nicht zu intensiv (danach kühlen mit Quark und evtl. Eis), gerade wenn evtl. noch eine kleine Reizung und hoffentlich keine Entzündung drin ist! – Viel Erfolg aber dabei weiterhin!!! 🙂
Ich selbst hatte seltenst Pech. Einmal hatte ich eine kleine Erkältung unmittelbar in der Woche vor einem Berlin-Marathon. Unproblematisch, da Tapering-Phase und doch spielt der Kopf verrückt! – Böse war ein dummer Sturz in einem Urlaub vor einem anderen Berlin-Marathon. Wir haben mit einem Schwager und seinen Söhnen auf einem Stoppelfeld Fußball gespielt, ich wurde vom übereifrigen Schwager gefoult und fiel genau mit der Patellasehne auf einen Kiefernzapfen. Da war das Training, ähnlich wie bei einer Grippe-, oder Covid-Erkrankung für mind. 3 Wochen passé. – Der Berlin-Marathon war aber zum Glück nicht gefährdet. Ob es sich ausgewirkt hatte, weiß ich nicht mehr, wäre sicherlich auch schwer auszumachen gewesen!
Bleib munter und zuversichtlich … du bist wahnsinnig fit! Ehrlich jetzt!
Aus dem dunklen Darmstadt liebe Grüße Manfred
Danke dir, lieber Manfred!
Genau das hoffe ich auch – dass der Zeitpunkt gar nicht sooo schlimm ist. Danke dir für die positive Ermunterung!
Gestern habe ich aus Zeitgründen keine Tour geschafft, aber heute geht’s wieder um den Zürichsee. Sobald der Regen vorbei ist. Du hast Recht, mental hilft es ungemein, sportlich unterwegs zu sein. Da hat man das Gefühl, wenigstens ein bisschen was zu machen. Das mit dem Quark muss ich immer noch ausprobieren – heute erst mal Quark kaufen! Mit der Rolle bin ich vorsichtig und auch mit dem Dehnen – jemand hat mir gesagt, es soll auf keinen Fall schmerzen beim Dehnen.
Oh wow! Dein Sturz war ja auch gut getimed! Gut zu wissen, dass das unterbrochenene Training dein Berlin-Marathon nicht beeinträchtigt hat. Das lässt hoffen! 🙂
Heute abend werden wir den Leichtathletik-Event “Weltklasse” in Zürich besuchen. Ich freue mich darauf – so inspirierend!
Liebe Grüsse aus dem wolkenverhangenen und regnerischen Zürich!
Liebe Catrina,
oh, die Weltklasse in Zürich! Das fände ich auch wahnsinnig spannend. Wir waren mal bei einer Deutschen Meisterschaft in Frankfurt und beim ISTAF in Berlin. War toll das live zu erleben!
Dementsprechend euch super viel Spaß!
Es hat geregnet!!!
Aus einem mal trüben Darmstadt
liebe Grüße Manfred
Danke dir!
Wir gehen traditionell jedes Jahr – und natürlich ist auch Reto wieder dabei! 🙂
Endlich Regen! Das freut mich. Jetzt lässt es sich bestimmt besser laufen.
Liebe Grüsse aus dem bewölkten Zürich!
Oh I hope you recover in time for your marathon! I’m sure the cross-training is helping!
Wow those stairs are no joke – my family would think the same thing about me, that I set them up! Looks like a lovely place. 🙂
I hope so too, Janelle! The bikes are saving me, both physically and mentally.
My parents were so happy when they reached the top – just like we feel after a race!
Ugh! I’m so sorry about your Achilles. I feel like the more serious the race, the more my body likes to mess with me. I think you’re playing it safe and adjusting wisely.
Those steps are beautiful! What a gorgeous hike! And how cool that you got to go on a steamboat!
Ha, Jenn, that is so true! It’s as if the body is playing up on purpose!
The steamboat was fascinating, even to me as a non-techie person. My dad was more interested in the mechanics than in the views of the boat ride, ha!
Awww, so lovely you got to spend time with your parents…. but the stairs, oh my! But the view and the refreshments were surely worth it.
I hope you heal up for the marathon (a friend of mine is running in Berlin, too!)… but in any case, just have fun!
It’s nice for my parents to get out a bit! We always try to do something with them at least once a week while we’re in Switzerland.
I hope so too, San! There are only 2 weeks left… the Achilles is feeling a little bit better, so let’s see!
Oh man, now is not the time for an injury. Why do these things happen? At least race day is almost here so the bulk of the training is done. The view is beautiful but I would have been cursing walking up those stairs. 🤣 🤣
Thank you for linking up with us!
I tell you, Zenaida, it couldn’t be worse! This was supposed to be the highlight of my running year… ah well, I’ll have to try next year again.
There was definitely some cursing up those stairs!
Thanks for hosting!
Sorry to hear of the achilles issues – but glad to see from comments above that it is starting to feel a bit better. I don’t have any prior experience with this issue, so can’t offer up much advice.
Your parents are amazing for doing that 400 meters of stairs. That feels like many instances in prior races where I know the total distance, but the final mile or so ends up being extra cruel – hills, sharp climbs, etc! Your Dad’s attitude is spot on though – “do the work, get it done!” Love it!
All the best for Berlin Catrina!
Count yourself lucky, Sean, that you never had Achilles issues! It’s a very tedious injury… it takes so long to heal.
I went for a slow 10k this morning with several walking breaks… it seems to be going well as long as I don’t aggravate it. Fingers crossed! 🙂
Haha, that comparison is spot on! It really felt like that. Once the stairs were done, they were so relieved! It was very similar to runners who cross the finish line after a gruelling race. And they felt quite accomplished, too!
Thank you, Sean!
wow, those stairs! I would do exactly what you are doing – hit the bike! Hard 😉 I have had crazy pains start up and when I ran Boston I was all taped up. Seems like KT tape was the magic fix because I got through the race just fine, but I was nervous! Oh, and I ran in different shoes. I hope you get everything straightened out so you can enjoy your race!
Great tip, Lisa! I’m using the KT tape as well and it seems to help. Also, I got new shoes (of the same make) to get more cushioning. And since yesterday, I got CBD oil to soothe the Achilles. I hope I can run Berlin like you ran Boston!
Wow Catrina, I’m just reading this now. I had no idea about the Achilles. I am very sorry. I didn’t read all the comments on treatment on Achilles injuries, but your cycling would be such a great alternative.
I had plantar fasciitis in 2019. The day after a half marathon in early June where something let go in my Achilles, I could barely walk the next day. So much pain. It was that bad I didn’t think I could run the Monarch Ultra 4 months later in October and contacted the directors I had to opt out. I know they could have easier gotten someone else to fill my spot, which was on a weekend. They didn’t want me to step down.
My recovery was pretty unorthodox. I did get a night splint and used it every night for the 1st couple of months. Lots of stretching exercises and after a month I started walking barefoot, building up to a few hours a day. Tried a 10k race min August with no run training and it set it back. Started running again 3 weeks before my 50k with the Monarch Ultra. It went well.
Keeping fitness levels up makes a difference Catrina. You are so fit and even if you hardly run at all before Berlin, if it is mostly free of pain, you’ll do just great!
It’s so annoying, Carl! Biking, icing, stretching, Voltaren, foam rolling – this all seems to work well, but it takes time for the Achilles to heal.
Oh, plantar fasciitis! That’s just as bad as a niggly Achilles. Just as well the race directors didn’t allow you to opt out, ha! I like your recovery method – I’m a big fan of walking barefoot or using minimal shoes where possible. I’m sure it helps to strengthen the bones, tendons and muscles. Amazing that you could run the 50k Monarch Ultra with only 3 weeks of training. I guess that only worked because you are very active and have a high fitness level.
I sincerely hope so, Carl! If the Achilles cooperates, I should be fine. Berlin is next Sunday (25.9.)… I’m getting nervous!
Wow that is tomorrow. You’ll be amazing, Catrina! 🤗
I hope it will work out, Carl! 🤗🌸
Unfortunately, I had to stop at kilometre 30. The Achilles wasn’t having it. But better safe than sorry! 😄