Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Wednesday Workout Update

We are on the last legs (ha!) of training for running club this season.  Boy howdy, it's been a long season - while running with a group is fun and helps to keep the enthusiasm going, training for 25 weeks for a goal race has started to wear on me.  Maybe I would have felt like this two years ago, had I been able to continue with the group - all I know is that I'm ready for December 9th and our half marathon to happen!

We didn't have an official group run scheduled for Saturday since it was the holiday weekend, but we did have 10 miles on tap, so a bunch of us ended up meeting anyway...although we took advantage of the cold weather and didn't start until 7:00 am.  Since the course wasn't supported with water, we planned a five-mile loop from the park where we met, so we could refill water bottles at the halfway point.

Jeff and I started off fine - it was about 40 degrees, but the wind was blowing so it felt pretty chilly.  Still, it was a nice change from running in the heat and humidity, plus we warmed up fairly fast.  The first 3 miles were great, but closer to mile 4, my toe started hurting a lot, and it was affecting my gait, and the last thing I need is to overcompensate for one pain and cause myself another!  Jeff suggested taping the two toes together, so when we got to the park, he pulled out a medical kit from the car (yes, he was a Boy Scout...can you tell?) and I taped them up.  I really didn't think the taping would make a difference, but it was a complete 180 turnaround - ZERO PAIN.  Color me shocked, and happy!  We set off running again, but after another 2 miles, the pain came back - crum.  We ended up only running 8.3 miles, as I didn't want to aggravate it too much.  I can tell that I've finally built up my mileage, because my legs were not sore at all after this run - it was nice to not be limping around on Sunday! 

After checking with Dr. Google, the toe pain could be one of several things - among them, either plantar fasciitis (I thought it weird that the toe would hurt before the heel, but apparently that does happen), or else some metatarsal issues...which, considering how good the toe felt when taped, I'm thinking might be it (plus I just DO NOT want to think about having PF, quite honestly).  Many people online mentioned getting relief by using metatarsal pads, so I ordered a couple different types (after checking several stores in town...no one carried any) - they should be here later today, and I'm hoping that they help enough to get me through long runs.

Yesterday Jenny and I met for a quick short run, followed by a nice long "catch up" chat over coffee.  Our running together lately has been really intermittent, but hopefully once the craziness of this season is over (Jenny is a photographer and is insanely busy right now), we can get back to some good weekly runs together. 

Tomorrow, Erica and I will do our usual 2 mile route, and then on Saturday, we have our last long run before the half - and it's only 6 miles!  Of course, Coach Dale is torturing us by making us run that route in a hilly neighborhood, but I'm sure we'll survive.

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In case you missed it, I did a review of PV.Body workout clothes on Friday - they have an awesome deal going on for the next few days where you can get a really nice workout top and bottom for $32 for the month of December.  You have to sign up by Friday, because their prices go up on December 1st.  Click here for the review, or you can click here to sign up.  They have free shipping and returns, and it's really simple to cancel your subscription if you don't want to continue.  While I got my first set of clothes for free, I couldn't resist the deal and signed myself up for another month.  Can't wait to see what I get!

11 comments:

  1. Just two more weeks and you can relax a little from the running. Hope your toe holds up till then.

    Did you know that when you visit a doctor here in Holland the first question they usually ask nowadays is "what do you think it is" because we all use Dr. Google a lot before seeing a doctor :)

    Enjoy your 6 miles, must be a treat after all those long runs on Saturday.

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    1. I love that the Dutch doctors pretty much assume you've researched your malady before going in! Too funny.

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  2. I know our Walmart has one of those Dr. Scholl machines where you step on it without socks and it suggests the right pad to help your foot alignment - maybe that could help?

    Hooray for ONLY six miles on Saturday - it was fun just to type that! Hugs!

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    1. Never thought about that Dr. Scholl machine - thanks for the reminder!

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  3. I hope the pads work for you! Maybe a combination of taping and the pads would solve it. Most half marathon training programs only last 12 or 16 weeks so I agree that 25 weeks is a long, long time. Even with a shorter program, I distinctly remember that feeling of let's get this race over with already! Sort of like how I feel right now about my black belt test!

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    1. I'm going to tape and pad, definitely. Fingers (and toes) crossed!

      I suppose no matter how long the training program, it sounds like you are just ready to be finished...although IF (that's a big if right now) I decide to do another half, I'll look for a shorter program. Even if I still run with USAFit, I can change up the mileage.

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  4. I've never seen that Dr. Scholl machine. Must check it out next time I'm at Walmart!

    And LOL at Fran's comment about the Dutch doctors. Too funny.

    Please please please let it be the metatarsal thing and not PF.

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  5. my husband LOVES that Dr. Scholl machine, too.
    Walmart, Baby :-)

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  6. 25 weeks??? Has it really been that long? Phew. I am tired just reading that.

    Buddy taping is good for toes. You might want to just get an x-ray to make sure you don't have a stress fracture or anything, but they would probably just tape it up anyway.

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  7. I love that Jeff was a "boy scout"! I cracked up at Fran's comment that the doctors ask what you think you have. I think we're ALL guilty of checking with Dr. Google. Take care Shelley, have a good day.

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  8. Dr. google is my doctor and he is a very good doctor. Hope your toe holds up. I have a lot of trouble with my toes, especially my toe nails.

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