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Can You—and Should You—Cross-Train for a Race?

How to Cross-Train for Race Day

What to Expect on Race Day

When I received my acceptance into my first-ever Boston Marathon , I hoped for every element of my training to go perfectly —speedwork, 20-milers, strength training, and everything in between. And, for a while, it all did. I hit my mileage goals, tackled my long runs, and incorporated quality workouts into my training, all with the hope of making it to the Boylston Street finish line feeling strong.

Then, I decided to push through a tough 18-mile long run during a busy work trip about six weeks out from Marathon Monday. I knew that I’d have no time to properly recover, refuel, and rest after the long run—but I completed the run anyway. That’s when my training plan started to go off the rails.

Nagging hip tendinitis popped up, and, in the days following, I couldn’t run without pain. I found myself sitting in the orthopedist’s office looking for answers.…