Trotting for Turkey (November Running)

[Crankin]

I think I have a stress fracture in my left foot. I had some twinges in the metatarsals about a month ago when running. I kept going and it got worse the next time I ran. Then, about a week after that, my foot felt fine, but one night when I took my shoes off, after work, I had a lot of pain on the top of my left foot, where the ankle strap of my low heel Mary Janes went across the top of the foot. It hasn't been the same since.
I've had a stress fracture before, many years ago, from teaching aerobics on concrete floors. I did go to a podiatrist and got a couple of ultra sound treatments, but essentially, the treatment was rest. I guess going to the 2 step classes didn't help this last week. Riding doesn't bother it at all, but lots of walking does.
Grrr. This is the time of year I do more hiking and running and I just joined a gym. Maybe my body is telling me something? I am trying to rest it, in terms of no running, but I can't stop walking, obviously.

[OakLeaf]

Ouch. Are you going to get it X-rayed? At least you'd know. Whatever it is, heal quick!

[Crankin]

Not sure about the x ray. It's basically some kind of overuse injury and it is slowly getting better. The pain isn't bad enough to make me run to the doctor; I haven't done anything, like icing, which I may start today.
Last year I bought a new pair of running shoes that have no seams that irritate my bunion. I went to a good LRS and was fit. However, ever since I got them, I've had twinges in all the normal areas that runners have issues with: shins, calves, etc. I know minimalist is in, but I think I need more support somewhere; one thing that always amazed me is that I had no injuries from running, just soreness from using muscles that don't get worked from riding.
I am going to give it a week or so and then think about going to the podiatrist.

[Bike Chick]

Crankin, I hate to hear that. How awful! I hope you heal up soon. Bummer!

I haven't been on the forum much the last few weeks. I ran in the St. Louis Rock N Roll HM 2 weeks ago and reached my goal of finishing under 2:30 by finishing in 2:29:59---just made it! I was very happy with that. I have been down in Florida on a little vacation and also volunteering at the Florida IM and am back on my marathon training schedule. I ran 14 miles Friday--the furthest distance I have ever run--in the midst of all the IM participants riding and running the day before the race. Talk about inspiring!

I bought a pair of Newton shoes at the IM expo and have been wearing them walking. I'm anxious to try running in them and see if they make a difference. Anyone else tried the Newtons?

[OakLeaf]

The thing about transitioning to a less-supportive shoe is that you have to do it SLOWLY. Like, you're supposed to start with 100 yards to at most a quarter-mile at the end of a run in your regular shoes, and GRADUALLY increase over a period of months.

I've been working on this for what, a couple of years now? Four or five years if you count where I started with Chi Running. Targeted exercises, shoes that aren't too small, yoga, doing more of my ADLs barefoot or at least in more flexible shoes. I'd be good in the Altras if they only fit me, and I looove walking/hiking in my VFFs but I'll never be able to run in them either because of the fit. I'm nowhere near ready for barefoot or even minimalist shoe running. But I'm getting closer all the time, and this latest round of PT where she did a lot of mobilization on my feet and ankles has brought me closer.

Just floundering for motivation for running right at the moment. I did about five yesterday. I'm really considering the Illinois Marathon at the end of April ... it's a cr*ppy time as far as my schedule, but I'm not seeing one I'd rather run before then. We'll see.

[skhill]

Much as I don't approve of daylight savings time in the abstract, it was really nice to have more light on my run today. At 6:20 am, the eastern sky was starting the pre-dawn glow; when I got home just before 7, the streetlights were off!

Been looking at the local race calendar, and a second turky trot has been added on the Sat. after thanksgiving; it's a fundraiser for a soup kitchen in my neighborhood. Think I'll do it--if I'm not still too weighed down by the thanksgiving feast.

[Veronica]

I started wearing only Barefoot type shoes back in the summer. Hiked all over Glacier in the them, wear them to work... It's a good thing 5th grade is pretty causal. I've got three different pairs of the Merrills for daily wear.

I bought a pair of the Kinvara 2s a couple of months ago and started doing some short runs in them. Now they are all I wear. I've progressed to 8.5 miles in them. I got a second pair so I could alternate. I wear them to my trainer workouts now too. I like that they have some cushioning, but they are still so light.

I'm thankful I have been relatively injury free. Of course I only run 32 miles a month and almost never two days in a row. And I do 35 minutes of stretching 3 - 4 times a week - Yoga for Triathletes video.

Veronica

[Bike Chick]

Oak, I got a fitting at the Newton tent and was fit for the Guidance Trainer, which offers more support than the minimalist shoe. I also attended a running clinic which helped a lot. I was told to wear them everyday for 7-10 days then start running gradually. I've been wearing them everyday for a week now and ran a 1/2 mile in them this morning. So far, so good. What I like most about them is that they offer a lot of support and cushion in the metatarsal area of my foot, where I need it most.

I think you will like the Illinois marathon. It's a good race with lots of support and it's flat. I've run the half at Illinois, St. Jude in Memphis, and St. Louis Rock N Roll and the Illinois was my favorite.

[Selkie]

Oak, I got a fitting at the Newton tent and was fit for the Guidance Trainer, which offers more support than the minimalist shoe. I also attended a running clinic which helped a lot. I was told to wear them everyday for 7-10 days then start running gradually. I've been wearing them everyday for a week now and ran a 1/2 mile in them this morning. So far, so good. What I like most about them is that they offer a lot of support and cushion in the metatarsal area of my foot, where I need it most.
.

BC - How is it going with the Newtons?

I have a pair of one of the stability trainers coming (the bright blue ones, can't remember the model name). Plan to slowly adjust to them.

[GLC1968]

OK, my husband and I signed up for the Chi running clinic next weekend. Yay!

I also just signed up to run another half-marathon (#4). I'm now doing the Portland Rock n Roll half two weeks before I do the San Diego Rock n Roll half. I am insane. I blame Susan.

3 mile run on the treadmill last night. It felt really good, actually. Looking forward to some outside running this weekend.

[Bike Chick]

BC - How is it going with the Newtons?

I have a pair of one of the stability trainers coming (the bright blue ones, can't remember the model name). Plan to slowly adjust to them.

So far, so good, Selkie! I've done one 2 mile run in them and have been walking in them alot. I plan to do my 5 mile run in them this week and I'll give you an update. I think I'm really going to like them and hope that I can run my marathon in January in them.

I hit a milestone today! 16 mile run! And I also found a running partner which really made the miles click by. A lady in my town is also training for a marathon and suggested we do our long runs together. Her pace is about a mile a minute faster than mine but we made it work.

[Selkie]

[QUOTE=Bike Chick;610304...
I bought a pair of Newton shoes at the IM expo and have been wearing them walking. I'm anxious to try running in them and see if they make a difference. Anyone else tried the Newtons?[/QUOTE]

I had the Newtons when they first came out and LOVED them. Really forced you into striking on the forefoot vs your heel and I felt fast in them.

Once I'm sure I'm over the hump with my ankle issues, I might get another pair. Right now I'm slowly making changes to avoid injury. Have started wearing my VFFs around the house again, but I'm not sure I'll ever run in them again. Read an article in the NYT magazine yesterday about barefoot running that was interesting.

[Jolt]

I completely embarrassed myself on today's run...was on the town trails, throwing in some fast intervals, and during one of them tripped on a root that was hidden under the leaves. This resulted in essentially doing a belly flop. And, of course, a lady walking her dog was coming the other way in time to see me sprawled on the trail; I don't think she actually saw me take the digger but she sure did see the aftermath! Then I ran into her again on the way home because at that point we were going in the same direction and I passed her. At least I didn't get hurt during my clumsy moment...just a bruised ego!

[OakLeaf]

Oh yikes Jolt! Glad you're okay. It took me a ton of stability work before I quit falling on the freakin' road. I'm a little afraid to run trails! (Mostly though I already drive to do most of my cycling and I really don't want to get into the habit of driving to run, too.)

Newton shoes look interesting but they don't come in widths, so they're probably out for me. I have a pair of the NB Minimus cross-trainers for the gym that fit reasonably well in a men's wide. I went to look at a pair at the LRS the other day, but they fit differently from the cross-trainers and they don't stock wides. If I'm going to have to take a chance on special ordering, I'll probably go through the NB corporate store where I can return them without guilt.

There's a Level II Chi Running workshop coming up and I'm really tempted.

Long intervals for me today, three minutes at 5K pace, three minutes easy jogging, x 5. Glorious day at the fitness trail. On one of the repeats I passed a woman pushing her toddler son in his stroller, and as I swooshed by he went, "Whoa!!" At least I seem fast to a three-year-old.

Another cool sight - the trail backs up against a nursing home and then a stand of woods. There are often deer around who are very accustomed to humans. Today a nursing home resident was out on the patio in her wheelchair enjoying the sunshine, and a doe with a gimpy leg walked up to check her out. Made me smile.

[GLC1968]

Wow, Jolt - I'm glad you are ok! I read your description and almost phyically felt the wind being knocked out of me! I've taken spills like that and they are no fun.

Oak - I just ordered a pair of the new NB Minimus directly from NB (free shipping through tomorrow, by the way!) because mine get really wet in all the rain around here. Hopefully these:http://www.shopnewbalance.com/women/...i-sport/WO10GR will be better suited to the PNW weather.

Selkie - there IS a clinic near me in just a couple of weeks! Now I need to justify the $100 to my husband somehow (since I have like zero of my own money at the moment)....