Calf Injury before London Marathon

Question
Hello

I have four weeks to go now for the London Marathon and my left calf is not feeling too health.  I can still run but it hurts for the first few miles, is bearable for the remaining.  I tend to do a 10 miles run, 6 miles run, and a long 2.5hrs run at the weekend, as well as bike cross training.  I give myself three days rest in the week.  

To describe the pain, I would say it just felt heavy and tender when it hits the ground on a run. It is not do bad that I cant run but it hurts the next day.  I have ice baths after running, have a healthy diet (with vitamin supplements).  I have four weeks to go and in my mind the next two weeks were going to be my last before slowing down week three and stopping completely week 4.  Now I feel my training schedule, which if completed keeps me confident is going to be ruined.

I am considering light biking, but keeping the miles up, and swimming for this week to allow the impact on my calf to be reduced.  What would you suggest for my final four weeks.  My longest run to date is 17.3 miles, I do it reasonibly comfortably, and dont normally feel so bad the day after.Advice would be useful at this stage.

Answer
Hi Nicholas
Your top women marathoner beside paula Mara yamauchi who just won the nyc 1/2 marathon has been training here in albuquerque NM for the london marathon.She lives right up the street with the japanese team second wind.As of right now with 5 full weeks to go there is nothing you can do to improve your performance.It is already absorbed into your body and your only priority should be to let your calf heal fully if you expect to perform at a level you have projected for your self.I would not run another step for the next 4 weeks and just light jogging the week before.I would use a up right stationary bike only for all your workouts you had planned and just go by time on the bike workouts not miles.You will not lose any of your fitness i can a sure you.I have a lot of experience with this situation.If you would like to call me here in albuquerque NM any time from 6am to 8 pm MT which is 8:15 am as i write this to go over this with more clarity your more than welcome.Go to my site for contact page.

All the best

John