The Pain You Shouldn’t Push Through: How to Recognize and Prevent Running Injuries

Marathon training has been one of the most rewarding challenges I’ve ever taken on, but right now, I’m facing the part that no one likes to talk about—the part where I have to stop. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been dealing with persistent pubic and groin pain, and despite my best efforts to push through, I’ve had to accept that ignoring it won’t make it go away. The hardest part isn’t even the pain itself—it’s the fear that if I rest, I’ll fall behind, lose my progress, or worse, not be able to run at all.

At first, I tried to convince myself it was just normal soreness, the kind that comes with increasing mileage and intensity. But as the discomfort lingered and started affecting my movement, I knew it wasn’t something I could brush off. I kept asking myself, What if I just run through it? What if it magically goes away? But deep down, I knew better. I’ve read enough stories of runners who ignored warning signs, only to end up with long-term injuries that took them out for months. The last thing I want is to sabotage my marathon by refusing to take a break now.

I’m doing the thing that feels impossible: I’m resting

So, I’m doing the thing that feels impossible: I’m resting. I’m scaling back my training, prioritizing recovery, and trusting that this is what my body needs. And to be honest, it’s frustrating beyond belief. Running has become part of my identity, my routine, my outlet—but right now, my body is demanding something different. I’m leaning into strength training, mobility work, and low-impact movement, consulting a physical therapist to better understand the issue and hoping that by listening to my body now, I’ll be able to return stronger instead of making things worse.

Recovery isn’t just about healing the injury; it’s about rewiring my mindset. I’m reminding myself that rest isn’t weakness, that healing is still progress, and that missing a few weeks (or even longer) is better than missing the marathon entirely. It’s not easy. Every day, I feel the pull to lace up my shoes and just test it out, just see how it feels. But I also know that patience now means I have a chance to run pain-free later.

Real strength isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about knowing when to stop

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it’s that real strength isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about knowing when to stop. I don’t know exactly how long this recovery will take, and that uncertainty is scary. But I do know this: I’d rather take the time to heal now than spend even longer regretting that I didn’t. If you’re dealing with an injury, don’t make the same mistake I almost did. Listen to your body, no matter how hard it is. Running will always be there when you’re ready—and when you are, you’ll be even stronger for having taken the time to heal.