Running on Empty runs March 17th - March 23rd

[teigyr]

aka WTF???!!!

After a rest week, I went for a 12 mile run. I have (as per usual) this sinus thing going on and I didn't have high hopes but it felt good. I didn't walk except for some stairs on an overpass because I was trying to keep my HR down. I was able to run some parts I hadn't previously been able to run due to the HR thing.

I felt fabulous.

I got home and immediately checked my time vs. the last time I did that same course which was two weeks ago. I felt bad that week. I was just certain it would be faster. Not that it matters.

My time was the same. EXACTLY the the same. It was evil. I am not sore, I never ran like an old person on a walker and I was happy. I don't get it. I honestly felt 300% better this week and I should've at least been seconds faster?!

Rude.

As a side note and for anyone who has dealt with blisters, I ask of you...what do you do for those inner side of the bottom of the big toe callous blister things? It's on the forefoot nearer to the toe than the arch but is on the inner side. I've always had blister problems but since orthotics and good shoes and good socks, I'm ok. This is blister under callous and is consistent on both feet. I think it might be a stride thing (duh) but if I can't change that, can I do something to ensure that I don't have blister/callous/raw bits on my foot?

[jesvetmed]

Almost back to normal: Ran 5.3 today, with the last 0.5 as walk/sprint intervals. Felt DECENT... not nearly as bad as the last one. But it did take me about 1.5 miles to warm into it. Seem to have the i-pod synced pretty well now. So all is good, except I get back muscle pain around my lower ribs when I run faster (ie, the days I sprint). Probably the GASPING for air!

Teigyr: I'm not sure about running, as it's been a long time since I put in a lot of miles to cause blistering. However, I do the 3-day Breast Cancer walk, and it's all about the socks there! I use the "blister-free" double layer Wright socks for the longer training, or have been very happy with BALEGO running socks for any length/type of training. I also almost always use the Blister Powder from the running store (can't remember the name, but I just shake it into the sock). That stuff works GREAT. I carry it with me and have only rarely had to "redose" before 10 miles into a walk. I generally did it at the lunch breaks to be safe.

I've gotten a blister in the exact same place you mention -- always my right foot, always from the longer walking. It's like it's between the fold. I found a some nice padded "blister" bandages with gel in them that I could cut to size to fit that area pretty well. That really helped to protect it until I could get it to callous up a bit.

Good luck with it -- hopefully it isn't a shoe fit problem? I always wondered if it could be due to a shoe fitting a little too tight across the toe box?

[OakLeaf]

As a side note and for anyone who has dealt with blisters, I ask of you...what do you do for those inner side of the bottom of the big toe callous blister things?

That's not where I get mine, but blisters are an issue for me too, even as short as I run.

On my two outside toes, I have to keep the calluses shaved. I normally run an inch or so of water in the tub to shave my legs (to save water) and I do the calluses at the same time (with a different razor blade of course - usually I just use a used razor blade that's too dull for shaving my legs). If I keep the calluses shaved, they won't get pushed back and forth and blister.

If I forget to shave and get a blister, Compeed strips let me walk and run without pain until it heals. Warm the strip in your hands before and after applying, like the directions say, and it will really conform to your toe.

On my arches, I use Blister Block. That stuff is a godsend. I resisted trying it for the longest time because I couldn't see how lubes wouldn't rub off the bottoms of my feet, but it works like a charm. Doesn't seem to do much for the under-callus blisters, though.

[Wahine]

Teigyr: The fact that it felt so much better this week is your improvement. You went the same pace because you're finding you comfortable long run pace and clinking in to it. It's very significant that you felt soooooo much better this week. That's a great result.

I still haven't run. I'm still working on my stupid exercises that my stupid PT gave me... oh wait that's me. Actually things are going well and I may try a track run today or tomorrow. Not fast, just flat.

[rocknrollgirl]

Howdy Girls,

Happy Easter ! DH and I went out for a run this morning on a new trail in our area. Flat, but nice. We did a 5 min warm-up 30 min run and a 5 min cool down. I did not have to walk, so that is good. I have a short period of time where my knee barked at me, but I just checked my form and posture and it went away.

Came home and did my leg exercises, stretched and I am icing now.

I felt ok considering that we did a mt bike ride on Friday that was the hardest that I have done since my return to exercise. I am being very cautious about what I do. I took it right up to the edge on Friday. I think next w/e I will back off just a touch.

I am planning on running a 5k with my newbie runners next Saturday. I am excited that I will get to do it with them.

Yoda, sounds like your PT is really tough, but at least she knows a thing or two about training and racing.

[KSH]

2h 42m
14.00 miles
11m 34s/Mi

I did my 2:40 run as scheduled. Go me! Mind you, this is coming off 85 miles of riding on Saturday (that was long, painful day! Dang wind!)

Yes, I'm tired and it hurt, but not as bad as last week.

I took in 3 gels on the run.

Oh the wind. THE WIND! I found a out and back route that was East/West so I could avoid the NE wind as much as possible. I was on a sidewalk against fences so it helped a lot.

Once I did that, I circled around my block.

It was really nice to have my IronSherpa's Garmin to use for the run. I could see how far I had gone and made sure to go exactly 14 miles. It allowed me to run circles in my apartments and not worry about remembering my route. Nice.

[KSH]

Comments on blisters and what not...

I rarely get blisters and I don't really have any callouses on my feet.

I wear really nice running shoes. Well worth $10 a pair. Balega is the brand. A lot of people I know love them as well!

I also put Body Glide all over my feet before any run. Lately, I have been putting Bag Blam on my feet as well. You can get a huge tin of it for $7 at the drug store, and it's like Vaseline on Steriods. You can't hardly wash the stuff off. Great for cycling and putting on the girly parts as well.

So yep, socks and Body Glide keep my feet blister and callous free! It's nice to have nice looking feet for sandals in the summer and not having the feet of runner.

On the downside, I can NEVER run in a shoe without socks. I get a blister immediately.

[Shiraz]

Way to go Yellow!!

I have still been running but not getting them posted. I am struggling to get my midweek tempo runs in but still getting my speed work and long runs. This week managed to run Tuesday and had a good speed / interval training and short 4 miler on Friday and 12.25 today averaged 9:45 overall. I am 4 weeks for the Salt Lake half but have to get moved, keep working and keep up my training