Monday, October 27, 2014

Body Assessment, Running-Wise

I am four months into training for my two upcoming half marathons, and it's time to assess the damage, aches, and pains.  The good news is that there are no injuries, halleluiah!!!  After the last few years, that alone feels like a huge victory.  Now, I'm not without some issues, but here's what is going on with them and how I'm managing them:
  1. Hamstring.  Over the summer, I worked at strengthening my hamstring and glutes (using the machines at Planet Fitness) and I think it's paying off.  Well, along with listening to my body - I started to feel that nagging hammy/glute ache a couple of months ago, but stopped doing my hill repeats workout, and the ache is minimal-to-none at this point.
  2. Right ankle.  This was the injury that began in January of 2011 and pretty much wrecked my running for that entire year.  I had surgery on it in October 2011, and last year I made it through the season by having some occasional lidocaine injections into the ankle.  I haven't had any in over a year, and it does bother me, especially when I pivot my foot when it's planted on the ground.  When I'm warmed up, I don't notice the pain while I run, so I'm choosing to not get any injections in it at this time.
  3. Plantar Fasciitis/Achilles, left foot.  This has been pretty painful, not gonna lie.  I tried stretching, ice, Motrin, massage...and it was still there.  I finally, and reluctantly, because I admit a strong bias against the field in general, went to a chiropractor; the reason I decided to go to this particular one is that I discovered many, many friends of mine see him.  I kept hearing how he did such a great job of relieving their aches and pains, and he wasn't one of those chiros who wanted you to go in for an extended period of time for treatment - he pretty much says that if you don't get relief by your third visit, he probably can't help you.  So I went to him on a Wednesday for my first visit, and then again on that Friday - this was the week before my 10K race a month ago.  I was shocked to run that race with no pain.  Seriously - I kept running, and my heel and Achilles kept NOT hurting - it was incredible.  Now, the chiro recommended that I ease up on the long distances based on the state my Achilles was in, and I get that, but I have two important races coming up, so I'm going to continue to monitor that particular pain (it has come back to an extent, although nothing like it was), and I'm planning on going back in for another adjustment either this week or next week, and as needed leading up to Houston in January.  
I think switching my running shoes to the super-cushioned Hoka One One (I wear the Clifton model) had helped a lot, too.  KNOCK ON WOOD, this training season has been the best for me since 2010.  I've been able to keep up with the weekly schedule almost perfectly (save for a couple of times while I was traveling), I'm taking a lot less Motrin for pain than ever before, and in general, I just don't feel as hobbled as I have in the past.  Fingers crossed, everything I'm doing will get me to the start line of the Houston half on January 18, 2015...and then, I'll have a good race, too!

17 comments:

  1. I am so happy that your running season is going so well for you - I am keeping my fingers crossed with you! :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Listening to aches and pains and reacting at that point is what keeps the ache from going into an all out injury. Sounds like you are being proactive and doing just that!

    I'm with you on the chiro thing but on the other hand if what he does works, then that's the perfect reason to keep using him!

    I can't believe that even after surgery that ankle is still bother you. I'm sorry but if I have surgery I WANT IT FIXED. So sorry :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I am a little disappointed that the ankle still hurts, even after surgery. Of course, my ortho didn't really want me running on it anymore, but where's the fun in that?!? ;)

      Delete
  3. PF--Yuck. Had it one time for three years! And gotta say I am very surprised that it has never come back. Anyway,that chiropractor sounds like a good one--I am the same as you, being skeptical about them. But I would go now too if I heard about a good one.

    Oh, and now I want the super cushiony Hola One One shoes to walk around in. Plus it would just be fun to say"Hoka One One when people asked what I was wearing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One of the men in our running club bought a pair of Hokas, and called them his "Hoka ON-AY ON-AY" shoes, which made them sound Hawaiian to me, and of course, also cracked me up!

      Delete
  4. Ever since I switched to the super cushiony shoe ( the Altra Olympus, kinda similar to the hoka), i've been having better runs too. Good luck to you my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! And I do wonder if the Hokas are contributing more than I even realize with how decently well my body is feeling...

      Delete
  5. You are so going to rock those half marathons!!!! With style, grace and little pain!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Shelley ....like you, I've always been skeptical about chiropractors; however, I've had a few friends who swear their chiro provides almost immediate relief for their various aches & pains. Glad to hear yours has provided you with relief. Continued success with your training!
    Cheers!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cool that the chiro worked for you! I kind of give them the side eye myself, but my sister goes to one for her neck and loves it. There must be something to it or they woudn't be in business, right?

    ReplyDelete
  8. I switched from Mizuno Wave Riders to Hoka Cliftons about 2 months ago and I LOVE them. Nagging shin pain is all but gone. :) Good luck on your races.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's good to hear you're holding up pretty well with the training. I'm starting half marathon training in the new year and worry about the aches and pains. For me it's my hips the day after, good lord!
    Best of luck and fingers crossed!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sure sounds like you're being really smart about the way you manage your injuries!

    My strategy has always been: Ignore, ignore, ignore... until I become so disabled I can't do anything at all. Your strategy makes so much sense!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm so skeptical of chiros too, but my arches and ankles are still painful so maybe I should open my mind to the possibility...

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would have given up already if I had these pains you are having. I'm really impressed how you keep running through the pain. Hopefully you will manage to keep running till January and finish both your halfs strong.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are now moderated to prevent spammers from leaving, well, spam - but rest assured that as soon as I read a real comment, I will publish it. So please, comment away, even though the blog is officially closed. Thanks!