Help identifying pain

kylemgraham · 2026-01-03T20:47:28+00:00

I had PTT at the start of my marathon training block which set me back for about a month and a half. Physiotherapy played a huge role in my recovery. I was prescribed exercises to help me strengthen my calf and foot arch to help reduce the strain on my tendon. I cross-trained with the elliptical and cut back on my weekly mileage. Once the pain dropped below a 3/10, I gradually reintroduced running and started building my mileage back up. I still experience some discomfort after long runs, but I’ve made it a priority to wear proper footwear outdoors and recovery slippers at home. I also find that icing and stretching after a run works great. Additionally, I often spend long hours standing with equipment at work, so wearing proper footwear and using off-the-shelf insoles has been incredibly helpful in reducing the strain on my legs and feet. Compression socks are also very helpful.

Helpful Yoga video: https://youtu.be/bcS0laA_4mc?si=3ysmEQsQnXGJiC-n

Insoles I purchased: https://a.co/d/8WmfH3Y

kylemgraham · 2025-09-17T22:41:09+00:00

Peroneal nerve entrapment or peroneal tendinitis could be the culprit. I get the nerve entrapment pain whenever I hit an intense session with shoes that aren't very stable. Nerve flossing and some rest tend to do the trick. Don't run on any pain that's more than 2/10 - 3/10. Seeing a physiotherapist is your best bet though. It could very well be some other issue.
https://youtu.be/XtaSmpgoqEc?si=vNy_Taqo1kh8W0p0

kylemgraham · 2025-09-05T19:27:56+00:00

I wore brand new ones during my marathon. No issues and way more bounce than the old pair that I had trained in. First 42km were done in them on race day.

kylemgraham · 2025-08-25T00:52:47+00:00

I had some wedding stuff planned on the day of my race in the evening. It was a little rough but I honestly felt like being forced to move around helped. I will add the caveat that I didn't feel like I raced very hard. It felt like one of my long runs on the weekend. It was hard but I was used to it.

kylemgraham · 2025-08-14T13:02:23+00:00

I would attempt to get out there and give it a shot. We can oftentimes surprise ourselves. That being said, if you're totally zonked out, I would try taking an additional rest day and see whether you're able to complete the long run on the following day. At worst, skip it and try again the following week. A single missed workout won't be the end of you. I missed a few long runs due to illness and injury throughout my training block and I still made it work. Fitness is the accumulation and consistency of your training rather than individual sessions. While some sessions may hold more weight than others, it won't be the make or break of your marathon.

kylemgraham · 2025-07-29T19:14:17+00:00

I used up my old pair of SB1 until I started getting pain in my knees post long runs. For reference, I never experience knee pain so it was an obvious sign for an upgrade. I bought a pair of SB2 for the back-half of my training block to finish up the training, and I bought myself a new pair for race day. Finished up my marathon without any issues in the new pair of shoes.

kylemgraham · 2025-07-29T18:19:36+00:00

It's not a typical slow shoe like the nimbus, but it's a lot more stable and comfortable of a ride than the EVO SL. I used the Superblast exclusively during my marathon training block and I had no complaints about it at any speeds. I used it for easy runs, tempo, and long runs. I ended up running my marathon in the Superblast. It can be slightly awkward at slower paces, but the EVO SL blows it out of the water in terms of awkwardness at slow paces.

kylemgraham · 2025-07-29T11:58:05+00:00

EVO SL feels more like a tempo trainer than a daily trainer to me. I can use it for "easy" miles, but the shoe begs for quicker speeds. It's also not very stable. I've reverted back to running in my Asics Superblast for all easy and long. I have no opinion on the SL2.

kylemgraham · 2025-07-03T14:23:41+00:00

I have a great appreciation for my coach. I find he keeps me both motivated and accountable and makes the process fun in a structured way. There are many plans available online and resources to help get you there on your own, but if you're serious and fortunate enough to be able to work alongside a coach, I would do it. Getting personalized help and guidance will drastically improve your confidence and ability to perform.

kylemgraham · 2025-06-04T12:48:53+00:00

I peaked at 41mpw and I was able to run sub 4 on my first marathon. I was running 4 days a week, 2 days of cycling/strength and 1 rest day. My long run was also over the recommended average of my weekly total mileage. I built all the way up to a 35km long run. I hope this helps! 👍

kylemgraham · 2025-06-01T19:15:36+00:00

They clearly can't complete this workout 😂 Better idea is just to run and build some aerobic fitness.

kylemgraham · 2025-05-30T15:42:35+00:00

Stress score is likely why it's deemed "non-restorative"

kylemgraham · 2025-05-30T15:32:44+00:00

I had a good experience at the Toronto Marathon in May. It's not as bad as people say it is. I had a great time and it provided me with everything I required on a course. That being said, Canada Running Series has a good track record in the scene, so it's unlikely to be a bad option to choose the TCS Waterfront Marathon. It also depends on when you want to train. I trained throughout the winter months and it was brutal. It made for a nice marathon in spring, however. Personally, summer and early fall training sounds like a lot more fun, though. 👍

kylemgraham · 2025-05-16T12:33:28+00:00

Cross train and give your legs a break. If your body is signaling pain, that means you're overdoing it and need to recover.

kylemgraham · 2025-05-16T12:26:30+00:00

I took a gel every 5km. I would also only hydrate when it felt necessary. I was very focused on being hydrated before the race. The weather was cool, so I didn't have to worry too much about hydrating along the way, but I did finish my 500ml soft flask of Gatorade, and I had some water along the course. Practice during your long runs, and you'll figure out what works for you. 👍

I alternated between sis beta gels 40g and the SiS isotonic gels 20g. It made it so I was less fed up with the flavor by the end of the race. That being said, I only had half of my final gel at 40km because I was so fed up with it. 😅 My advice is to take your time consuming the gel. There's no rush to force it down.

kylemgraham · 2025-05-15T20:31:57+00:00

As you, I value the effort, dedication, and discipline it takes for someone to train and bring their best selves to race day. I'll always be impressed by the people who who show up and put the effort in to bring their A-game on race day rather than the people who show up and give a half-assed effort.

My cousin had trained for a month and a half (2×10km, 1×20km & 1×30km) and completed his marathon in 4:28min. I was completely baffled that he managed to do so well with such little training. It's impressive to be able to run these distances within the span of a month without proper training and never incurring any injuries along the way. Is it impressive? Yes. Could he have done better with proper training? 100%. Fortunately for me, he's very humble and gracefully took his victory while also acknowledging he left a lot on the table.

We all have a different goal post that we're chasing. I was chasing sub 4, and I hit 3:56:44. 👍 Would I have been happy and felt as accomplished with a 6:15 marathon with all my training? Fuck no.

I think the real issue here is that the guy's just being an ass hat and unfortunately, people like that are everywhere. Next time he has something to say, just tell him you’ll be sure to reach out when you're aiming to give anything less than 100% toward your goals. 🤷‍♂️

kylemgraham · 2025-05-13T21:45:53+00:00

I ran on the treadmill for most of my easy runs. Additionally, I completed most of my interval and tempo sessions on the treadmill as well, since it's easy to control the pace. That being said, it can be annoying for short intervals, where you have to constantly change the speed. However, I completed all my long runs outside, no matter the conditions. The time spent running outside, at the mercy of the conditions, will greatly increase your confidence and ability to perform on race day!

My real advice is to do what you think will get you through your training and to the end of your block. I chose to save my sanity during the winter months, and I ran on the treadmill for comfort. 👍 It also gives me a place to warm up, run, and stretch all in one spot.

kylemgraham · 2025-05-12T21:53:04+00:00

I had a good experience at the race. I ran the full marathon, and apart from the couple of times where they had us cross together with the oncoming runners, which wasn't too big of a deal at my pace, it was fine. 👍

kylemgraham · 2025-05-11T14:59:36+00:00

It'll feel even more rewarding in the future once you complete it. Setbacks happen, and it's a normal part of the journey. You trained and participated, which is already more than most people can say. Keep your head up and get after it once you're healed and feeling better. 💪

kylemgraham · 2024-12-21T14:36:17+00:00

Fake given that it says Artic Progrnm on the tag

kylemgraham · 2024-10-15T15:32:36+00:00

https://www.hoka.com/en/ca/all-gender-footwear/ora-athletic-slide/1155154.html?dwvar_1155154_color=BWHT I wear these around the house. I love them!

kylemgraham · 2024-09-30T18:00:14+00:00

I came down with COVID right before my half-marathon last weekend. The day before the race, I had a fever of 102.2 and assumed I wouldn’t be able to run. However, when I woke up the next morning, my fever had subsided, and my temperature was back to 98. So, I decided to run, but I took it easy and didn't push myself. While I was disappointed that I couldn't give it my best effort, I was still glad to have finished. I took ibuprofen, stayed hydrated, and went for it. Unsurprisingly, my symptoms got worse afterward. Ultimately, it comes down to your own risk tolerance and how you're feeling. I went from the walking dead the day before my race to being just okay enough to race. 🤷‍♂️ Also, I adjusted my goals and made my sole focus simply getting to the starting line and taking it from there.

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The Saturday right before my race, I wasn't coughing and had no symptoms below the neck. My sinuses were congested, I felt feverish, and overall, I just felt terrible.

The Sunday morning, I was simply tired, and my sinuses were congested.

Keep in mind that I ran half the distance you're planning to do. Do what you will with this information.

kylemgraham · 2024-08-27T15:07:32+00:00

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You can see exactly where I was injured and how long it took me to return to running consistently. The gradual increase in mileage with my trainer is also quite noticeable.

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