Hi di ho, Friends. Um … Yep … I’m here twiddling my thumbs. I know. I know. Go find something to do already, right? It’s the middle of August and I have not run one organized run this month at all. How is that even possible when I have been averaging two halfs every month so far?!? Let me tell you … It’s kinda hard to sit still, but I have to. I don’t want to, I have to. In order to help heal my plantar fascitis, I need to stop with the long distances for awhile otherwise, I risk doing more damage than I care to have ever in my whole life.
If you have ever had plantar fascitis (PF), you know it’s NO joke. That sh!t feels like an ice pick being stabbed in the heel of your foot with EVERY step that you take. It hurts like you would not believe. Now, I’ve had it for years … since 2007 before I ran my first marathon and probably even before that but just didn’t know because it wasn’t as painful or severe. Once I upped my mileage, it decided to make it’s presence known in my la vida loca. Yeah. I trained for my first marathon with about 4 months of spinning because of it. I couldn’t put in any pounding miles in what so ever without wanting to shoot myself in the foot literally. Thank God for the Good Feet Store because they really saved my feet. They have some awesome inserts that I was fitted into and I was able to finish off my training run my first mary because of them. Since then, I rarely wear any shoe or flip flop for that matter without my inserts …
So what else am I doing to heal up my feetsies besides resting them? Well, I’ve been going to almost weekly accupuncture sessions at the Persimmon Community Accupuncture Center. I’ve been using my H-wave pretty dilligently. Ice, heat, RockTape, Salonpas patches, massage, epsom salt heat soaks, elevation, compression … I’m willing to try almost anything to help my foot heal. It’s really my inserts that have helped me the most though. And not to worry, it’s getting better every day. =)
Not running really isn’t killing me as much s I make it sound. It’s just kinda boring to not have anywhere to go. I have been putting in some really great training sessions over at CrossFit 209 Sport. I’ve been training hard and having fun. I’ve also put in time with the bike via Spin Classes at InShape. And I’m still going to kickboxing/MMA at American Martial Arts/Central Valley Krav Maga. So … I really shouldn’t be bored. I’m doing a lot, just not pounding the pavement. It’s all good in the hood. In all honestly, I’m getting stronger and a little faster as I *almost* ran a sub-7minute mile today. That hasn’t happened since I was in high school way back when I was getting chased by T-Rex!
They say not to mess with the injured runner. A lot of injured runners get upset watching other runners run or listening to them talk about their training. I am NOT one of those runners. I’m happy for my friends who can run and who do run. It’s exciting to hear about their training, their races, their mileage. I have no issues with them because I know that I will be amongst them soon enough. I know that there are those out there who are truly injured and can’t do any form of exercise, I am thankful to not be one of them. I am thankful that I am still able to perform and workout as hard as I can despite the pain that I experience in my foot. I know that this is why I’m not a hater. I also believe that the more you hate, the harder it is and the longer it will take for your injury to heal. That’s just my opinion. For those that are injured but can still move, there are other activities out there that you can perform, you just have to find them. And always remember that there are others that would gladly kill to be in your place knowing that once your injury heals you’ll be able to run again, whereas they will not be able to due to severe injuries or illnesses that they have sustained. Be patient with your body.
It’s middle of August … Just a couple more weeks to go then September hits with a vengence! Ragnar Napa Valley Relay, then The Giants Race, Half Moon Bay … It all works out in the end.
Until then … I am embracing the pain because I know that my pain is temporary. Pain is my friend. Pain is weakness leaving my body! Happy running to those who are putting in the miles. Happy alternative training to those of us who have had to give up running for awhile. Whatever you’re doing … Train HARD. Train SMART. Eat WELL. And be HAPPY! See you on the roads and/or the trails in a couple weeks!
Running Code 3 