A Fool and her running - week of April 7

[Grog]

I am pretty upset. My (first) marathon is in 29 days and my feet hurt.

Now that's now where I want to be hurting right now.

The good news is: nothing else hurts. After long runs (since hitting more than 25km regularly), I have had sore feet for 3-5 hours and the next morning it would be totally gone.

But last week they started hurting about 10 km in my 35 km long run. I decided to keep going to see if it was merely discomfort or really pain, and by the time I hit the halfway point I was in quite a bit of pain. I ran through it (how stupid is that) and back home.

My feet hurt seriously for 2 days after that and mildly for the rest of the week. I didn't run but cycled more than usual, which also felt good and fun. Today I was scheduled to run 20km (rest week) but there was no way I was going to do that. I woke up and my feet were not hurting (or very little), so I took off for a gentle walk-run, 2min run 1min walk sort of thing. I made it 5 km and I decided to walk home. I'm not in a lot of pain, but nothing is improving.

My husband (resident in pathology but also a trained kinesiologist) has home-diagnosed soft-tissue injury of the ligament that holds my smaller toes on the left foot to my ankle (or something like that). I am pretty confident there is nothing broken, but I'd be curious to hear about the experience of people who have had stress fractures. How did it feel?

My shoes are only 400 km in. I was planning to replace them when I hit 500 in a couple of weeks, so I had time to break them in before the race. When those shoes wear out normally I feel some knee pain, but I've had none of that.

I've been getting massage every 3rd week and last time was just before the dreadful 35 km run. I'm feeling looser than normal (in a good way).

Now I'm thinking about keeping the volume down for a bit longer, and maybe getting OTC orthotics. But I'm also worried about the upcoming marathon. I don't think I need to run another super-long-run, but I also don't want to lose the fitness.

HELP!

[TsPoet]

But last week they started hurting about 10 km in my 35 km long run. I decided to keep going to see if it was merely discomfort or really pain, and by the time I hit the halfway point I was in quite a bit of pain. I ran through it (how stupid is that) and back home.

I am pretty confident there is nothing broken, but I'd be curious to hear about the experience of people who have had stress fractures. How did it feel?

.

HELP!

You don't describe where the foot hurts, but your etiology sounds just like mine as far as how it started and generally how it feels and what makes the feet hurt and what doesn't. So, I will post or PM you Wednesday night if I find anything out.
Good luck with your training! At least I'm training for a 5K, not as seriously training as you!

[Grog]

You don't describe where the foot hurts, but your etiology sounds just like mine as far as how it started and generally how it feels and what makes the feet hurt and what doesn't. So, I will post or PM you Wednesday night if I find anything out.
Good luck with your training! At least I'm training for a 5K, not as seriously training as you!

Good point! And thanks for the kind words.

My two feet feel a bit banged up in the arch area, but that's the part that goes away fast.

The left foot is feeling very tender on the outside, from the ankle bone towards the small toe. Pain is only mildly increased by pulling up my toes (not really right now actually).

I'm starting to wonder if my hammer toe has anything to do with it.

[TsPoet]

I'm starting to wonder if my hammer toe has anything to do with it.

OMG! - I have been wondering if my hammer toe had anything to do with it
I have several hammer toes, but the pinky toe on my right foot is the bad one, followed by the pinky toe on the left foot.

I'll make a point of asking the doc about the hammer toe/running/outside pain thing. Sounds like you and i have similar feet.

[Veronica]

Ahhh... hammertoe. Mine are genetic. Growing up, I seriously thought everyone's two little toes curled under. What do you mean, they are suppose to be straight?

Veronica

[Grog]

Ahhh... hammertoe. Mine are genetic. Growing up, I seriously thought everyone's two little toes curled under. What do you mean, they are suppose to be straight?

Your parents had them too?

[Veronica]

Grandmother. I don't know if my dad had them. I think it may have skipped him.

2 of my 3 sisters also have them. They have been that way all my life.

Veronica

[Grog]

All right, I got Superfeet (Berry) insoles for my running shoes. I've been wearing the shoes for a couple of hours and I do feel quite a difference. I don't know that it will do much for my left-foot pain, but it does ease the pain of my arches.

I'll try to make an appointment with a physio for later this week. Will keep you posted as well!

[Susan Otcenas]

Ahhh... hammertoe. Mine are genetic. Growing up, I seriously thought everyone's two little toes curled under. What do you mean, they are suppose to be straight?

Veronica

My pinkies both lay sideways and curl under my fourth toes. They don't give me any trouble though, with one exception. It used to be that if I walked for a very long time, I'd get blisters on the soft part of my pinky toe, where the fourth toe stepped on it. Hasn't happened in ages though. I think all the running I do has toughened up the toes. Side benefit of all these miles??

Grog - you might ask your doctor about aqua running for the last few weeks. A gal in my office had a fibula stress fracture last year and ended up doing alot of her ironman run training in the pool. It was very effective and allowed the injury to heal.

Susan

[OakLeaf]

Heal up quick Grog.

I did not-quite-15 today. Not all that long for a "long run," but it was my first run back in the hills, my longest run in my new shoes, and my longest run since injuring my Achilles. It's a beautiful day, and it sure is nicer to run someplace that's not BORING.

Did my cold-water bath (no ice required here!), now my fingertips are numb (even though I didn't put my hands in the cold water at all.

So I guess I'll have to do a "real" long run of 20+ next week and then a three-week taper, sounds okay.

[colby]

Epic April Running Thread Check-In for this weekend, I did nearly 14 miles in about 2:20 on Sunday at my "mostly comfortable but not lollygagging forever heart rate". The first 3 miles I did at "dog pace" (as in, run 9-10 minute miles then stop and pee, stop and poo, stop and sniff/pretend-to-pee every so often, then decide you've had enough running and be drug or require coaxing for the last mile - she hates heat+sun), the last 11 were averaging 9:30 miles except walking and eating every 30 minutes for 1-2 minutes. Weather was warm, in the 70s, perfect when the sun was behind the clouds. Did a different route than usual for the 11 miles, nice to do something different, but not much sun protection. (Neutrogena SPF 70 to the rescue!)

After that, I did 4 sets of marching, skipping, hopping, butt taps, running and walked the rest of the way home.

Soreness: the usual "barefoot" spots in my lower calves which are fine 24 hours later, a little bit of shin tenderness, and my hip flexors (though I think the hip flexors are sore from the 3:30 bike/2 mile run brick I did the day before, not the 14 miles of running).

Blisters: A little super minor blistering (as in, not there after sleeping on it) on the outside of my foot but NONE between my toes or under my callous. I need to do a little more foot care, but getting rid of most of my big callous under my right big toe has helped - it's an occasional hot spot, not a sore spot or blister zone anymore. Hooray!

Went to the chiro today. It was the best chiro visit I have had in literally 2-3 years. He did some maintenance adjustments but no major issues in my pelvis, low back, hip, knees, ankles, shoulders, etc. And all that after my brick and then long run... hooray again! I should have pushed my visit out a couple of weeks but I wanted a fact check on what I thought was a body in really good condition. It was kind of surreal being told my training load was "just right" when we're talking about 15 hours a week here, but I guess my body has finally begrudgingly accepted that we ARE doing another Ironman in 68 days.

Last week my massage guy said the FiveFingers were "a positive addition" to my training regimen. They have made a significant difference in my recurring hip and pelvis issues and shin splint problems. At this point I am fairly confident I will try to run Ironman in them. I am honestly more afraid to go back to shoes and hurt myself.

[Grog]

Colby, you inspire me to pick up barefoot running. After my marathon I will try that. I might go for a pair of Nike Free though.

Thanks for the good suggestions. I would like to say that I'll try pool swimming but I really, really dislike going to the pool. But it might happen.

Now, after all the complaining the other morning I went to my favourite running shop (Forerunners Vancouver, I love you). I discussed the situation with one of the friendly and above all helpful store attendants, and he did suggest that Superfeet might help a little, although seeing a physio and increasing foot strength would also be a good idea. (I'll discuss the physio with my massage therapist. I need to find a golf ball to the foot strength thing.)

He made me try all the different Superfeet insoles and I ended up picking the "berry" one. I wore them at home the rest of the evening and I swear it made a different. Then tonight I went for a 20-minute walk and, lo and behold, my arches feel A LOT better. My left foot is a little sore still, but it's absolutely tolerable and running generally felt really good.

I also bought a new pair of runners (more of the same, Asics Gel Cumulus) that I'll progressively start wearing next week.

I'm still not sure I'll do a 38-km run next weekend though. I'll maintain the short runs for a few days and see what happens.

Being able to run tonight makes me appreciate how much I love this sport. It just makes me feel strong and free and clears my thoughts.

[WindingRoad]

Had a wierd kind of run week: lots of tests not much time AND I'm kicking up the bike miles. So, I ran Tuesday and Sunday but I did do a 10 miler on Sunday. I hope to be much better this week. I am aiming to do a 12 miler this weekend and that will be my longest run before the HM May 8th. I did a short 3 mile recovery run tonight, obviously I'm still pretty sore. I think tomorrow I'll aim for 5 - 6 depending how good I feel.

Oak - sorry to hear about your archilles issues, I just went through a bout of that about a month ago. I took about 3 days off and iced massaged it a couple of times a day and things improved. Sounds like you are on the rebound so that is good

Keep up the awesome work everyone!

[colby]

Colby, you inspire me to pick up barefoot running. After my marathon I will try that. I might go for a pair of Nike Free though.

The Wired test of the Nike Free liked them quite a bit, and they have tested the FiveFingers too. They also don't look like gorilla feet. Of course, I'd wait until your marathon and then recovery.

The USA Triathlon magazine had an interesting strength builder for barefoot running. They suggested that you stand on one foot barefoot as long as you can, up to 30 seconds, so that your toes don't leave the ground (especially your big toe). Then, the other foot. Then, do the same thing with your eyes closed. If you do this several times a day, it mimics the barefoot posture without having to do it all at once or take to the streets.

[Jolt]

I've been running more but not posting lately. Time to be more consistent with the running now that it's not winter anymore--I can tell that I have gotten a bit out of condition from not doing as much for a while. In other words, SLOW (not that I ever was a speed demon anyway). Today's run was a short one--just over two miles on trails, took 25 minutes (12-minute miles, and this was running the whole time with NO walking breaks). Yesterday I was out for about an hour but did stop and walk a few times. Is it normal to have such a hard time getting better than 10-minute miles?