I've been training since new year for my first marathon on Sept 28th in Berlin. I picked up an injury (pulled calf muscle) just over 2 weeks ago playing football. I got it seen to straight away by a physio and after 10 days rest and 4 sessions of physio I started back running last week. I have been working my way back up slowly to a 4 mile run and I was able to do it without pain.
My question is will the 28th Sept come too quickly - my longest run was 14.5 miles. I ran that 3 weeks ago in 1:57 and felt quite ok at the end, although my legs got stiff when I stopped, which I'd imagine is normal enough.
It would break my heart to have to miss it although I realise that there is no point in running it and getting injured again.
Could anybody recommend what I should start my long runs at again and whether or not I should go for the marathon or hold off for another.
I'm sorry you had this injury at such an inopportune time. It's even worse that the injury was not "running" related. It seems you were doing everything right, except playing football with the youngsters (smile). I'd like to offer a few opinions as a fellow runner (I'm no expert).
First on the marathon: In my opinion, you should forego this one and choose one later (November or December). Even before the injury, you had only built your long run up to 2/3 where it needed to be for the marathon (most experts believe you should build to 20-23 miles). And no one should add distance at a rate greater than 10% weekly.
Second: you should start tapering your mileage at least 3 weeks out from your marathon, so you will have fresh legs for that long haul. If you resumed your training, you would be building right up to your race, (no tapering time) and that is physiological suicide for a marathon runner.
Third: you risk reinjuring that calf muscle. I would not think about a long run for a couple of weeks, if I were you. Just continue your short runs and see how you do. If after a few weeks you are still running pain free; add your long run, but do so conservatively, at first. Let your body be your guide.
I know you really want to run that marathon in Berlin, but all runners face the same pain of having to miss races due to injuries, etc. Look beyond Berlin and make decisions based on your long term health and fitness. It's a tough decision to make, but remember, in the end, our decisions make us.
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