How Long Should My Recovery Be?

QUESTION: I have been dealing with patellar tendonitis and a small baker’s cyst in my right knee. I have continued with my half marathon training, because I'm running a half marathon in a couple of weeks. I usually only take a few days off after a half, but was planning on taking longer to rest the knee (I will cross train of course.) How long of a break would you suggest I take?

HAL’S ANSWER: I assume that you have seen a doctor who diagnosed those injuries, because I don’t possess an M.D. degree, nor do I pretend to practice medicine on the Internet. I defer instead to those smarter than me, or at least better trained in certain specialties. As to how much of a break to take, the period immediately after an important race might be the best time to focus on rest. Shift to cross-training for whatever length of time it takes, and be sure that you are 100 per cent cured before you step out the door to run. How long of a break should you take? A long enough break so that you can run injury-free.

Hal uses TrainingPeaks to power his interactive marathon and half marathon training plans. Check out more of Hal Higdon's training plans here or on his website. Archived Q&A's from Hal can be found here.

Suffering from Shin Splints

QUESTION: I'm currently in Week 4 of your 18-week training program for the marathon and have begun to have issues with shin splints on my left leg only. I wonder if you have any experience or suggestions so that I can keep training for the OKC Marathon in 13 weeks. I stretch very good before and after all runs.

HAL’S ANSWER: Very good? Stretching is great if you know what you’re doing. I don’t always myself, so I worry that sometimes runners may overstretch themselves into an injury or make it worse. That may or may not be true in your case, but are you certain that your problem is “shin splints” and not one of many other problems that masquerade as that ailment? The standard remedies are ice, anti-inflammatories, cross-training and/or rest, although too much rest may be a problem if you are aimed at a specific marathon. Unless cutting back on your training results in some relief of your symptoms, you might be best served by seeing a podiatrist or orthopedist who can at least determine whether your self- diagnosis is correct. And provide the proper treatment, which at least would include the best stretching exercises for your particular case.

Hal uses TrainingPeaks to power his interactive marathon and half marathon training plans. Check out more of Hal Higdon's training plans here or on his website. 

This is the new home of "Q&A with Hal Higdon"! This column was recently moved from its previous address at http://askhalhigdon.tumblr.com, where archived Q&A's can still be found.