Trotting for Turkey (November Running)

[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.

[skhill]

I'm out of practice dressing for running in the cold! This morning it was 27F, with wind chill down at 21F, when I headed out. Hands and feet were cold, legs just right, upper body and head too warm. Went 5 miles; started out way faster than intended, so the final mile was really slow...

But the weekend looks great for all outside things; might try taking my new dog on a short run Sunday. She still needs to put on some weight, but when she had her first vet appt. this week, her vet mentioned that it's a good thing I'm a runner, because this dog will want a lot of vigorous exercise.

[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.

[OakLeaf]

Well apparently I'm the kind of person who runs a half-marathon out of laziness and lack of motivation.

I've been really struggling lately, kind of similar issues to what Brandi posted about in her thread - yesterday I barely got off the couch, and this morning I just couldn't motivate to do the club ride even though they're starting an hour later for the winter (in addition to the time change). But I knew there was this little half in the afternoon ... and I pretty much needed to get a longer run in before we travel to see my dad ...

There were maybe 100 runners and we didn't get much for our registration fee. I wasn't expecting a T-shirt since I registered day of race, but the website promised six water stops and AG awards, and what we got was three water stops (the last one 4.5 miles from the finish), a course that was four-tenths of a mile short, and only awards for overall podiums. But what the heck, not much sense in a medal when there might've been three or four people in my AG. I don't care about the short course either since I really wasn't running for time, but there were at least a couple of people who said it was their first half, so that must've been a disappointment for them.

My husband promised me I'd feel better after I ran. He was right.

[Selkie]

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.

Thanks for the update. I put on my new Newtons this morning and quickly remembered why I loved them before.

I've been wearing my VFFs around the house, so depending on how I feel, I might try to run a mile in the Newtons some time this coming week.

[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!