Overtraining for a half marathon?

Question

I am a former athlete, but never a distance runner. I started running last summer to stay in shape (and for fun), and I was usually doing about 3 miles at a time.

This spring (after taking 3 months off) I decided to start training for a half marathon (as prep for a full marathon in October).

I was doing 3-4 miles per run 3 or 4 times per week to get ready for the half marathon training. The half training follows the following schedule.

http://cararuns.org/Training/Spring%20Half%20Marathon/Dates%20and%20Locations.aspx

(the dates are accurate and I haven't missed a run)

I would like an avid runner to tell me if this looks like an aggressive training schedule. My left calf is killing me (medially where the soleus meets the tibia) and my right hamstring is bothering me a little.

My experience tells me that I'm just a little beat up from overwork and that I should take a week off, but I'd rather not.

Any tips on how to proceed w/ caution and treat the pain would be great.

Thx!

Answer 1

The schedule looks very good. For the hamstring pain, stretch it before and after every run (along with everything else). Stretch it by putting it on a rail about waist height and trying to touch your toe on that foot. if it has started in the past 3 days, ice it. If it is older than that, heat it, (use a heating pad. it's like a electric blanket but about the size of a notebook.) the ice reduces pain and swelling while the heating increases blood flow and speeds healing. I don't know about the tibia thing. What you could try is running in a pool. It sounds ridiculous, but it tires you quickly while reducing joint strain. Walk into the pool untll you can no longer touch the bottom. Then just run like you would above ground. If its two hard go where you can touch. You can also try other thing for strength and endurance in a pool. you can do pushups and situps (if it's shallow) along with butt kicks, high knees, strides and just swimming.

Answer 2

Hello, looked at ur schedule. No, I don't see any issues with overtraining. Think u may not be stretching enough. If the pain persists you should try 1) running on a treadmill (less jarring.), 2) buying some good cushioning shoes. 3) crosstraining occasionally, preferably on a bike. The latter I would suggest even in the absense of any pain. Good luck and I hope meet your goal in October. (Am also running one that month!)