Going into the final longest run before the marathon, my legs were feeling pretty achy.  My one leg ached with such a weird pain that I wondered if I was beginning to have a stress fracture.  I got a leg massage last Friday, and I found out that I had some very tight and sore deep calf muscles.  The massage probably helped things in preparation for the 22 miler I planned for Sunday.  In addition, we were in the middle of having rain from Hurricane Joaquin for a few days. It had really been raining all week.

Fast forward to Sunday morning – I really didn’t know what to expect.  I considered skipping the run or postponing for a couple days.  In my mind, I thought I might have a stress fracture because despite the massage, it did not change that feeling in my leg.  But I headed out that morning, in the wind and rain.  I had thought the rain would stop early in the run and would not be a problem.  The temperature was below 50 degrees (F) though, and with added rain and wind, these are the conditions that can cause hypothermia, especially if out in it for several hours like I would be, if I could make it that far.

The first couple miles were a bit rough. There was pain but not as bad as I thought it would be.  I could run through it, and as long as it didn’t worsen, I felt it was safe to run through.  By mile 3, the pain was beginning to lessen, so I started thinking it is probably not a stress fracture.   The next 9 miles were was barely any pain, in any at all.   I did start to feel the pains that I have had in earlier long runs, mostly in the ankle and to the sides of the Achilles tendon, but I ran through that before, and I believe both pains are due to muscle or maybe minor tendinitis.  After 9 miles, I went back into my workplace and grabbed a coat and a running cap, before heading out for the final 13 miles. I was able to finish the 22 miles, still feeling great at the finish.

I did continue the same hydration/fueling (drink to thirst, fuel every 25 minutes) as the 2nd 20 mile run since it worked before, and this time it seemed to be just as good as before.  So I will go with the same plan on marathon day.

Yesterday I had calf soreness, but nothing unexpected, and there were no pains in the ankles or lower leg.  The taper period has begun, and hopefully the during the next few weeks, I will heal up in some areas to be as fresh as can be on marathon day.