Marathon training? Calf injury?

Question

Iv been training for three months now doing long distance runs prepairing for the dublin marathon, recently i injured my calf muscle so i have to rest for a week would that effect my fitness level resting for a week???

Answer 1

Find a local pool where you can go and do you runs in the deep end of the pool. This will help you heal much quicker and not only maintain you current level of fitness  but improve it.

There are severity good videos (DVD/VHS) on the topic of Deep Water Running. In Fact there is a certification program for it in Canada and the have workshop in Britain

You may have to but an AquaJogger it will help keep you vertical in the water.

Good luck with your marathon

Answer 2

Yes it will affect your fitness level. A day or so rest is good for your running every week, but more that 4 or 5 days and you will feel like you have gone backwards with your training next time you run.

However, it is far better to rest than run through and injury so you have done the right thing.

Your 3 months of training will have built a good base level of fitness and stamina in you. I wouldn't worry about having a week rest at this moment - you still have plenty of time before the marathon to get fully fit. Take the next week easy with the running so that the injury doesn't come back. As an alternative you could try swimming instead of a run.

Answer 3

With 3 months of training under your belt, taking one week off to rest your calf should not affect your training very much.  You might find that the first day or two back will be a little tougher, but then you should be back to your old self.  In the long run, the time off will probably help to not only rest your calf, but any other lingering muscle pains.