Torn Quad and Marathon in 13 Days

Anybody got any advice?

I ripped one of my quads on Saturday morning, possibly due to sprinting with 50lbs on my back at 6:30AM, I can still run on it with slight pain.

My first marathon is in 13 days and Im in need of advice on how to treat my injury, my plan so far is:

Small run on wed to see how it feels, if its ok maybe do an hour, otherwise max 40 minute runs, gentle stretching.

Loads of ice, possibly NSAID's next week if its still a drama.

Turn up for marathon, run as far as possible, walk if me quad kicks off.

Any advice, will this be ok or am I a lunatic and risking serious injury?

Cheers,

Picky (Hopefully imagaining this injury)

Possibly?? What possessed you to sprint with weight, you nutcase?!

Okay, first off, I have to say that you runners are completely whacko. Second, get it checked out to get an accurate diagnosis. If the injury is muscular and there is indeed a full or partial tear, it will need recovery and I don't advise attempting the marathon. If you attempt the marathon you could easily put yourself into rehab for months. Even walking the distance would do it in. With rest, however, it should heal relatively quickly. BUT if you've torn a patellar tendon you are bigtime screwed for the next few months at least.

On the bright side it could be a relatively minor injury, and you could be recovered in a week. Either way I would give it several days' rest, and take that time to visit the doctor for an accurate assessment.

Please don't try to muddle through this without knowing what it is. Otherwise you'll spend your summer paying $60 an hour for medical rehab from someone like me. But worse, you'll spend much, much longer not being able to run if it is, indeed, serious.

If the pain really is only slight it's probably not torn - or a very minor tear...

Don't stretch it if it feels sore...

Ice & NSAIDs are only really useful during the first 48 hours following an injury when they prevent the body's immune system from causing further damage. After this period they can actually slow down the healing process...

Possibly Basically, if it hurts, don't do it!