FYI: Saturday is our normal long-run day. I wake up super early (around 5:15AM), drive ~45 minutes to the area where our Team in Training group meets, and we start running around 7AM. I love running with a group - although I don't run "with" anyone besides The Husband usually, it's great to meet with like-minded people and run for a common goal.
Anyway, Saturday the full marathon folks were scheduled to do 12 miles. I, of course, am injured, so I've just been doing what I can. Saturday I decided I'd do at least 4 and see how it went, since it was only my second time running in the orthotics. The first 2 miles still felt terrible - my feet were fatigued/achy-feeling like I had run 13 miles already. This sensation stuck with me (at varying levels of intensity) for about 2 miles, and then - *poof!* - it stopped! I guess it's just a warm-up thing, because the next two miles went by with no aching, burning feeling AND I wasn't experiencing any arch or calf pain. It was great! I still decided to stop after 4 miles, although I think I could have gone longer. I don't want to push too much too soon while breaking in the orthotics.
Since I'm a bit behind in my training plan I think I may shoot for the half marathon (and a PR!) in Anchorage. I can set my sights on a full for December or February, I think, and get in solid training for that. The only trick will be keeping up my base mileage over the summer - it's SO HOT here in Texas that each run is an epic battle of the will just to get out the door.
This week I'm planning to run tonight (2-3 miles or so?) and 2x while I'm visiting my mom in Las Vegas. My flight leaves early tomorrow morning, so I may not post again until I return on Saturday.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
My week
So, I've had my orthotics for a little over a week now. I don't notice them at all while walking around anymore, so I'd say they're "broken in" for general activity. I ran in them for the first time on Saturday morning - that was an experience. I made it about 1/2 a mile before my feet started aching, and by 1 mile my feet felt like I'd gone 10 or more. Not an ideal situation, but I know that it will take some time for my feet to adjust to running with the orthotics.
This week I haven't done any running, mostly because I've been biking to and from work since Tuesday (my car is in the shop). So that's 6 miles of biking, 3 miles each way! I might try a short run tonight to see how things are feeling, but otherwise I'll just try to increase my distance on Saturday.
I have also been very good about not going barefoot in the house (with the exception of middle-of-the-night bathroom trips) by either staying in my (old, worn-out running) shoes + orthotics or wearing my Birkenstocks when I get home. I have also started rolling my feet out with a frozen water bottle. Now I just need to remember to do my stretches and increase the amount of time I'm icing/rolling my feet.
I still haven't heard back from my coaches on a revised training schedule, so I'm thinking I'll just make one up for myself. I will ask The Husband for his feedback as well, since he's *actually* run a full before. Stay tuned!
This week I haven't done any running, mostly because I've been biking to and from work since Tuesday (my car is in the shop). So that's 6 miles of biking, 3 miles each way! I might try a short run tonight to see how things are feeling, but otherwise I'll just try to increase my distance on Saturday.
I have also been very good about not going barefoot in the house (with the exception of middle-of-the-night bathroom trips) by either staying in my (old, worn-out running) shoes + orthotics or wearing my Birkenstocks when I get home. I have also started rolling my feet out with a frozen water bottle. Now I just need to remember to do my stretches and increase the amount of time I'm icing/rolling my feet.
I still haven't heard back from my coaches on a revised training schedule, so I'm thinking I'll just make one up for myself. I will ask The Husband for his feedback as well, since he's *actually* run a full before. Stay tuned!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
My 1st Podiatrist Visit
So. I had my first visit to the podiatrist yesterday afternoon. Aside from a ridiculously long wait (it was about 40 minutes past my appointment time when I was taken back, and about an hour total before the doctor saw me), the appointment was good.
The bad news: I have plantar fasciitis in my right foot. It is not presenting with the typical heel pain, but rather starting at the ball of my foot and moving back along the arch. I have decreased range of motion in my big toe (especially on the right (injured) foot, but it's starting to affect the left toe, also). This is all caused by the way my foot moves when I walk and run.
The good news: I don't have to stop running! I need to do fewer runs overall, but I don't have to stop completely, which is good.
The treatment: I am to ice, stretch, and massage my foot. I am not to walk barefoot. I am wearing non/semi-custom orthotics for now, and once my insurance approves, I will be molded for custom orthotics. Not sure how long it'll be before that happens and they are ready.
I'm breaking in my orthotics right now (2 hours yesterday, 4 today, 6 tomorrow), and I should be able to do a modified long run on Saturday. Wish me luck!
The bad news: I have plantar fasciitis in my right foot. It is not presenting with the typical heel pain, but rather starting at the ball of my foot and moving back along the arch. I have decreased range of motion in my big toe (especially on the right (injured) foot, but it's starting to affect the left toe, also). This is all caused by the way my foot moves when I walk and run.
The good news: I don't have to stop running! I need to do fewer runs overall, but I don't have to stop completely, which is good.
The treatment: I am to ice, stretch, and massage my foot. I am not to walk barefoot. I am wearing non/semi-custom orthotics for now, and once my insurance approves, I will be molded for custom orthotics. Not sure how long it'll be before that happens and they are ready.
I'm breaking in my orthotics right now (2 hours yesterday, 4 today, 6 tomorrow), and I should be able to do a modified long run on Saturday. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
1/2 Marathon Recap + Foot Pain Woes
So, we did it! We ran the Cowtown half marathon on Feb. 26. The weather was *perfect* for a race - around 50*, partly cloudy, and breezy (transitioning into gusty winds toward the end of the race). As you can tell from my blog, our training was not up to the usual standard, so we ended up walking the second half of the race due to my foot pain and the Husband's IT band discomfort. We finished in about 3:28, so definitely not our best time, but we had fun.
After the race I took the week off from running, but I did ride my bike on Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning!
Sunday evening we headed out for my scheduled 8-mile long run. Again, we had great weather for our run. We ran a different route than normal, which was fun. But my foot started feeling "off" around 1.25 miles, and got worse from there, escalating to a 3 or 4 on the pain scale intermittently. We rounded it out at 5.5 miles, and I immediately iced my foot. Haven't been running again yet, but we'll head out for 3 miles tonight and see how it goes.
I've scheduled an appointment with the podiatrist for tomorrow afternoon. I've never been to a foot doc before, so I'm hoping for a good experience, a diagnosis, and a fast recovery! I definitely recommend seeing a doctor sooner rather than later when you think you have an injury. Best-case scenario, it's a wasted copay, and worst-case, you have to take some time off. But it will be less time than if you wait too long to see the doctor! I realized when filling out my new patient paperwork that I've been having this foot pain on and off since mid-January, so it's definitely time to get it looked at. Wish me luck!
After the race I took the week off from running, but I did ride my bike on Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning!
Sunday evening we headed out for my scheduled 8-mile long run. Again, we had great weather for our run. We ran a different route than normal, which was fun. But my foot started feeling "off" around 1.25 miles, and got worse from there, escalating to a 3 or 4 on the pain scale intermittently. We rounded it out at 5.5 miles, and I immediately iced my foot. Haven't been running again yet, but we'll head out for 3 miles tonight and see how it goes.
I've scheduled an appointment with the podiatrist for tomorrow afternoon. I've never been to a foot doc before, so I'm hoping for a good experience, a diagnosis, and a fast recovery! I definitely recommend seeing a doctor sooner rather than later when you think you have an injury. Best-case scenario, it's a wasted copay, and worst-case, you have to take some time off. But it will be less time than if you wait too long to see the doctor! I realized when filling out my new patient paperwork that I've been having this foot pain on and off since mid-January, so it's definitely time to get it looked at. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Long Run Saturday
Saturday we had our first Team in Training run at our usual location in Grapevine, TX. It was raining, so we skipped the nutrition clinic we were supposed to have and got right down to running. We had four miles on the schedule, so off I went into the rain. The temperature was around 45* I think, with a light but steady rain.
I have only run in the rain one other time, and it was at least 80* that time (and the rain was a lot heavier), so this was a different experience for me. I had a really, really great run! I enjoyed the rain, running in nature (as opposed to in town, as most of my weekday runs are), and running by myself for the first two miles. I forgot my watch, so I don't know what my time was, but everything just flowed. It was awesome!
The 5AM workouts haven't been happening this week yet. I think we'll do a quick 2 miler tonight, and then resume AM workouts on Thursday. Sunday we're running the Cowtown half marathon in Fort Worth - we're woefully underprepared, but we've done several half-marys in the past, so I know we'll be fine, just slow.
I have only run in the rain one other time, and it was at least 80* that time (and the rain was a lot heavier), so this was a different experience for me. I had a really, really great run! I enjoyed the rain, running in nature (as opposed to in town, as most of my weekday runs are), and running by myself for the first two miles. I forgot my watch, so I don't know what my time was, but everything just flowed. It was awesome!
The 5AM workouts haven't been happening this week yet. I think we'll do a quick 2 miler tonight, and then resume AM workouts on Thursday. Sunday we're running the Cowtown half marathon in Fort Worth - we're woefully underprepared, but we've done several half-marys in the past, so I know we'll be fine, just slow.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday's Run
We got up at 5:00AM again yesterday to go for a run. We did about 3 miles (will have to add time/pace later, the watch is at home!). It was very humid and a little cool, but warm enough to wear shorts. It was pretty uneventful, although I was having some pain and tightness in my calves and right foot. I'm not sure if it's my shoes (which maybe have 25-50 miles on them) or if I just need to stretch more or what. Took a few extra walk breaks to try and avoid injury.
So far I am on track with my marathon training! It officially started Saturday and I've done 3 runs so far. I'm scheduled for 4 miles on Saturday but will probably run 6-8, since I have the Cowtown Half Marathon next Sunday and haven't had a run longer than 5 miles since my race in October. :-/
So far I am on track with my marathon training! It officially started Saturday and I've done 3 runs so far. I'm scheduled for 4 miles on Saturday but will probably run 6-8, since I have the Cowtown Half Marathon next Sunday and haven't had a run longer than 5 miles since my race in October. :-/
Monday, February 13, 2012
Back on the Wagon
Well, as you can see, it's been a couple weeks since I've run or posted anything. I got set back with a nasty cold for 2 weeks, plus motivation disappeared from our household for a while. We decided last week that today would mark a change - we're now working out in the mornings, so that the stress of the day, evening activities, etc. don't impact our workout.
The alarm went off at 5AM, and we were up and at 'em immediately. We were out the door about 5:15 for 2 miles. It was about 35* and was just baaaaaarely misting. We kept a pretty good pace (I forgot to start my watch on time so I'll have to get the exact time, distance, and pace from the Husband later). It felt good to get it done, and also allowed Tyler and I to spend time together, which doesn't usually happen in the mornings due to the Husband's commute time. It also gave me time to read before I left for work, so hopefully it'll help me meet my reading goals for the year, as well!
I think tomorrow will be a cycling day, so we'll take turns on the trainer in the morning. Bonus: I can read *while* on the trainer, as well as before and/or after (depending on who goes first). Talk about multitasking!
The alarm went off at 5AM, and we were up and at 'em immediately. We were out the door about 5:15 for 2 miles. It was about 35* and was just baaaaaarely misting. We kept a pretty good pace (I forgot to start my watch on time so I'll have to get the exact time, distance, and pace from the Husband later). It felt good to get it done, and also allowed Tyler and I to spend time together, which doesn't usually happen in the mornings due to the Husband's commute time. It also gave me time to read before I left for work, so hopefully it'll help me meet my reading goals for the year, as well!
I think tomorrow will be a cycling day, so we'll take turns on the trainer in the morning. Bonus: I can read *while* on the trainer, as well as before and/or after (depending on who goes first). Talk about multitasking!
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