Keep on Running Week of 11/09/08

[michelem]

So, you all know I had a crappy 20-mile treadmill run the weekend before last. It took me almost a week of no running to get over it. My legs were absolutely fried. I couldn't even get through my ballet class last Wednesday night.

I posted in last week's thread about my good Saturday morning 10-miler. It got me excited about doing my long run today.

Had today off work for Veteran's Day and awoke at 5:30am to get ready for my long run (planned to do 20). I was really hungry ( actually woke up around 4am with my tummy growling and made myself go back to sleep). Did not eat or drink anything before heading out the door. Planned to get out the door around 6:30am, but due to potty issues did not get out until almost 7:30am. It was pretty chilly and foggy this morning. I'm still trying out different fueling/hydration plans and this morning headed out with my Nathan again. In 2 of my 10 oz. bottles I had 1-1/2 Hammer Gels each mixed with water. In the remaining two bottles I had 3/4 scoop of Sustained Energy and 1/2 Hammer Gel in each, mixed with water. All was well until about mile 10 and then I got hit with diarrhea -- GRRRRR. I just don't know what to do anymore! It seems no matter what I try I get the runners trots!

The other big problem I had today was leg pain! My right leg was HURTING big time. Basically what I had been dealing with all last week after the treadmill fiasco. I had to walk some hills due to the pain and cut my run short. I ended up around 18 miles, but it took me 3-1/2 hours.

So, looks like I'll be taking more time off this week. I am getting really worried as the marathon is just about a month out.

I'm thinking my shoes may be part of the problem. They are over a year old now and I feel my right foot kind of slipping around. But, I just don't know what kind to get now! They don't make the ones I have anymore (New Balance 767's -- the 768's do NOT feel the same and I don't like the feel at all!). I went to our local running shop tonight and had the same problem as usual -- they only had two styles in my size for me to try on. In AZ we had a great running shoe shop that would video tape the customers on the treadmill and analyze what type of shoe was needed. It's been almost 8 years since I've had that done, and I think I need something like that again but don't know where to go. I tried Fleet Feet once and I got a complete idiot. He said I need a shoe a full two sizes larger than what I wear and when I said I felt like they were going to fall off my feet he said he GUARANTEED that was the size I needed and wouldn't bring me shoes in my size. So, I left.

Okay, enough from me. Let me hear some encouraging stories from all of you this week!

[teigyr]

I know there is a great running store in San Diego but I think you are more north than that?

I did a 5 mile run today. It's a rest week and one of my legs is acting strangely but it's mostly ok.

I did a great trail race on Sunday! DH went out with me and for a non-runner, he did a great job. It was muddy and slippery and there were trees across the trail. It was FUN.

I hope things get better for you. There is enough time to investigate shoes I think. And I bet new shoes would help a LOT.

[Grog]

Sorry michelem about your soreness and shoe problems. Considering the mileage you're putting in, I'm pretty sure you need new shoes. The shoe stores around here (Vancouver, BC) let us try the shoes on (running outside on the sidewalk). I know I need neutral shoes (you can make the test for yourself, you'll easily find instructions on Runners' World website for example) and from there I try the shoes and find a pair that works for me. No injuries (connected to the shoes anyway) so far!

I had a great trail run (14 km) on Sunday morning and this morning at dawn (i.e. 8 a.m. these days!!) I got my running partner out for a 35-minute run in the POURING rain. It was also very windy and her hat kept flying off. Quite the adventure. I am increasing mileage and feeling a bit sore right now, but finding pleasure in running too, which feels nice.

[alpinerabbit]

I had two 30min runs within three days, concentrating hard on form which ends up with my thigs fried, because they take most of the load.

Also been working hard with the massage balls on thighs, front and side, butt, calves&shins.
Loads of trigger points that radiate. I hope to get a handle on them like this, else my running will never progress.

[OakLeaf]

Michele, I don't put in the mileage in a year that you do in a month, but thought I'd share my recent shoe buying experience, just because (1) I have long toes, which means that most shoes that fit me per a size measurement and don't cramp my toes, also are way too big for my actual feet; and (2) I was in NB 766s.

I'm now in Mizuno Wave Inspire 4 in Wide, a size and a half bigger than my old Regular width NB 766s. My heels don't slip, my arches are supported, my toes aren't cramped, my toenails aren't getting pressure, the big callus on the outside of the ball of my foot isn't getting aggravated. At age 49 it's a total revelation to me that shoes can fit this well.

I'd tried Mizunos years ago... these fit way differently. I tried out the Wave Rider 11 also and they were an equally good fit, just not supportive enough for me. So. Might be something to try if you haven't given the larger sizes a chance. Warning though, the Inspires are breaking down VERY quickly, and I'm not that heavy - I've read that complaint about them on 'net reviews, so it's not just me.

My own running.... well, I'm still slacking off After Indian Summer last week and four good-length rides in 70 degree sunshine, we now have highs in the low 40s, cloudy and miserable. I'm giving myself the week to mope, work out indoors, generally get my head around the idea of cold. Next week I'll crack the running whip!

[Urlea]

Alpine: If you have a bathtub and don't mind using it you might want to consider putting Epsom salts in your bath water. It seems to speed up my recovery after runs.

As for the rest of you: Thanks for inspiring me to get out there and run. Keep at it!

And for me: I think I'll have to take today off. Woke up during the middle of the night with a headache and sore throat from sinus junk. Why is it that when I pre-register for races I get sick??? It's only a 5k race tomorrow and I'm pretty sure I could do that if I were mostly dead. Hopefully some rest, tea and silver supplement will do the trick.

[yellow]

michele, do not panic! You've run 20 on the dreadmill...you will be fine at the marathon. I firmly believe that the treadmill can be harder on your body because there is no variation, and that gets compounded when you run for really long distances on it. Just let your body recover during your taper. I repeat YOU WILL BE FINE!!!!

Re: the potty business, rest assured that the CIM has about a gagillion potties in the first 5 miles. At least that's how I remember it from years ago. There's a reason they have so many. I don't know how long (period of time) you've been running consistently, but it probably took my GI system 2 years to "adjust". What you are experiencing is not fun, for sure, but common. I still have moments, but they are few and far between. That is why I always carry TP!

And being the shoe queen that I am, I add support to the "buy new shoes" push. I am currently rotating through 4 pairs . Did you go to the Fleet Feet on J Street? Is that the store that only had a couple of pairs in your size? Their 30-day return policy even if you've worn the shoes outside is hard to beat (at least they used to do that). And I'm pretty sure they have a filming system. There's a Fleet Feet in Davis, too, so it might be worth your drive to that store if the J Street store doesn't have anything for you to try.

I had an easy (rest) week last week and am not sure how this week will go. I'm dealing with some hip and back issues that don't bother me when I run but are starting to affect Life. So I'm currently working through some stuff with my sports medicine doc. I ran an easy 4.5 last night but should get some more direction today re: how the next couple of months might go. Whatever happens, I know that his prescription probably won't include being sedentary; he's already said that the best thing is to keep moving...it might just be at a less intense level.

[Grog]

I tried Fleet Feet once and I got a complete idiot. He said I need a shoe a full two sizes larger than what I wear and when I said I felt like they were going to fall off my feet he said he GUARANTEED that was the size I needed and wouldn't bring me shoes in my size. So, I left.

By the way I'm sorry this happened, but if you have another chance, give it a try and actually run in them. Then you can know for sure. I find that in some shoes I wear one or two size bigger than I normally do. That's especially true for bike shoes of certain brands and I wouldn't be surprised if it also applies to some brands of running shoes...

[michelem]

Thanks so much for all of your suggestion re shoes. I have not been to the Sacramento Fleet Feet. I just emailed them with lots of info and asked that they let me know whether they have a selection of shoes in my size to try before I make the drive down there. For most people, a 25 mile drive each way is not a big deal, but for me it is quite the trek -- I really hate driving!

The local running shoe store is quite small (the other one we had was a bit larger, but it went out of business last year).

Oh, the Sac Fleet Feet return policy is only good if the shoes do not appear to be worn or if they have a structural defect.

Thanks again for all the great advice. I really appreciate it.

P.S. San Diego is about a day's drive away! In fact, I've never been that far south in CA before!

[teigyr]

Here's the store locater for Road Runner Sports:

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/...-store_locator

Their return policy is 90 days no matter how worn. I remember them when they were just the big store in San Diego so they are still a small-ish local store for me even though I now go to the one in Seattle. If they don't have a shoe, they will order it with no obligation to keep it if it doesn't work.

Since I have orthotics, I've had to go to a neutral shoe. For the marathon, I wore the Brooks Defyance. Even though it's not as heavy duty as some of my other training shoes, it is my favorite. I go faster, don't get injured, and it just feels better than the others. My others though are ASICS Gel Nimbus and Brooks Glycerine. I rotate between 3-4 pairs of shoes. I got my marathon race shoes about 2 weeks before the race and wore them once to make sure they were ok. It's not as crazy as it sounds because I do use the same ones for training but they were starting to wear down and I wanted fresh shoes.

Oh and if your race is anything like mine, TONS of porta-potties only if you can, go as far as you can before you use one. The first couple of ones tend to have long lines but after that and after the race opens up, there are no lines at all.

Urlea, that always happens to me too. Happened before the marathon even. I kept my race number which has dried yellow gunk on the back of it. I was SO sick that day. Next big race I swear I'm going to stay away from everyone. Either that or wear a face mask

No run today. I am trying to build core strength and am trying to work the knots out of whatever is going on in my hip/leg. I'm on a quest to get a foam roller. I like quests.

[Jolt]

I had two 30min runs within three days, concentrating hard on form which ends up with my thigs fried, because they take most of the load.

Also been working hard with the massage balls on thighs, front and side, butt, calves&shins.
Loads of trigger points that radiate. I hope to get a handle on them like this, else my running will never progress.

Ugh...those trigger points are no fun! I've been dealing with some myself for the past few weeks--mine resulted from compensating for an injury and therefore walking differently. Finally getting better--now they pretty much only hurt when I roll them out (I use the Stick) and not when I'm on my feet all day like they were before.

I've finally been able to start getting back to running--my PT said to do no more than a mile at a time when I saw her last week, so I've done a few short runs like that (when I went yesterday I didn't want to stop at a mile!) and so far so good with the IT band etc. Not to mention it has done good things for my mood just to be able to do that little bit. Next week is supposed to be the last time I go in, so I'll have to get some tips on how quickly I can get back into it without creating problems.

[yellow]

Did my last long run for a while today. The "discussion" was that we (my running buddy and I) should do maybe 10 maximum due to some concerns with someone's recently-illuminated physical conditions.

Bah.

We did 17.5-ish. It was a gorgeous day.

But that's it for the long runs for a while.

LET IT SNOW!!!! PLEASE!!!

P.S. I've decided that cycling arm warmers are really wonderful for running, too. Anybody recognize these?

[OakLeaf]

Well I said I was going to crack the whip. I can't even remember the last time I ran three days in a row when I was home.

Just an easy run Thursday to wake my legs up and remind them what this "running" thing is all about. Then intervals on Friday, 7 x 1 minute, and even though I had a teeny stomach bug and hadn't eaten anything all day, I'm pretty sure they were the fastest I've ever run! And a little recovery run yesterday in the ice cold rain, yuk, the opposite direction I usually go from home - even though it takes me out onto the main highway, it's a lot flatter and there's a nice wide multi-user lane, not a whole lot of traffic, and the rain at least kept the exhaust fumes out of my lungs.

Not sure yet what I'll do today. Maybe Pilates and just a few minutes on the elliptical.

Maybe back to the push-ups which I've been taking - ahem - a little break from.

[yellow]

Oak, I suspect that your little pup break will have left you rested and ready to try an exhaustion test!! I'm still on the schedule, in week 6 right now. But I seem to be getting wimpier.

3 days running in a row...I don't think I could do that! Do you have any races planned?

[Jolt]

Decided to try a short trail run/walk today...no IT band pain but it still wasn't a great run (and I only ran about ten minutes per the PT's instructions, then walked about 20). Had a few other random twinges that I put down to not having done any hiking or trail running in a while, and felt CLUMSY!! I was a lot more hesitant than usual in jumping across streams or from rock to rock on the trail, and just didn't feel as agile as I remember being before. Apparently I have gotten rusty with the whole trail-running thing...plus I think part of it is that I haven't gotten back full confidence in my legs holding up after the IT band fiasco and the trigger points that cropped up later and caused other aches and pains (a few of them are still bugging me a little the past few days).