Cool Running for Week of September 29th

[BigRunner]

Tapering!!!

5 miles in a chilly sprinkle @ a 9:16 pace.

Only 30 miles this first week of taper.


RichF

[ttdriver]

Mon, and Tues, 2.3 mile walk on Monday, 1.5 miles of the 2.3 on Tuesday was JOGGING. Felt good at the time; tonight I am in serious pain.

UGH. I hate this foot with a passion.

Betty

[BigRunner]

Betty,

Are you seeing ANY improvement? What does the doc say?
How long before you should be pain free?
Range of motion better? Are you still doing that stretching exercise?

I need my running buddy back in action to help bust folks around here out of their hibernation.



RichF

[ttdriver]

Originally Posted by BigRunner

Betty,

Are you seeing ANY improvement? What does the doc say?
How long before you should be pain free?
Range of motion better? Are you still doing that stretching exercise?

I need my running buddy back in action to help bust folks around here out of their hibernation.



RichF

Rich, I do have pretty good dorsiflex when I don't put weight on my foot (like just sitting in a chair, for instance) .. the difficulty is on the ball of my foot just under the first metatarsal ... when I try and flex the toe with my weight on it ...

The doctor said most people think the surgery is the most painful part; its not .. its the rehabilitation. He thinks I am doing "FANTASTIC" to be walking more than 2 miles a day on it. Truth is, because I don't yet have that "psuedo" cartilage (which is really scar tissue from the surgery), I'm still pretty much bone on bone...not sure for how long, but the pain isn't going away too fast !! I have some improvement in the "jamming" that used to happen with each step because he sawed off the bone spur on the top of the foot. With that being gone, its definitely an improvement.

Its so hard to be patient while this thing heals....I knew it would be tough to take baby steps ... I'm not good at that !!! So I try to push through the pain and extend my strides which really causes more pain. I get very discouraged, but you know how us runners are....WE GOT TENACITY!!

As for when I'll be pain free ? Not sure. It may take a couple of months or more for that to happen. Don't worry, I'll push through it, I always have! THIS WILL NOT KEEP ME DOWN!!!

I am sorta toying with the idea of a doing a run/walk marathon though. Have you read John Bingham's book, "Marathoning for Mortals"? He has several training programs, including one for run/walks that he recommends for people who have had injuries....I know alot of folks can finish pretty strong following that technique ... what are your thoughts????? Granted, I'd much prefer a RUNNING marathon, but maybe this would suit me better this time???

Thanks for caring !!!!

Betty

[BigRunner]

I like reading articles by John Bingham. Never read any of his books though. I salute anyone who can complete 26.2 miles. Running, walking, crawling. however. I've also heard good things about Jeff Galloway's run/walk programs. Chicago last year turned into a run/walk in a major way toward the end. I was just as proud of that marathon as I was of the other's.

Good to hear you're staying positive.
You can do this.

RichF

[ttdriver]

Thanks, man.

Its really hard to stay positive some days; today was one of those days.

DH made me promise I wouldn't walk or jog today because my foot hurt so bad all night. So I didn't and what did I get in return? More pain. I dunno. I think the odds of me doing that March 1 marathon are slim to none based on how I feel right now.

True, I am a warrior...comprised of little athleticism but a whole lot of tenacity. But the grim reality is, I am 8 weeks post-op and still in alot of pain.

Perhaps I went into the surgery with my expectations too high .. I dunno. Sure, I had pain for nearly 2 years but I COULD STILL RUN ... albeit slowly and rather UGLY...but I WAS OUT THERE. Now, I just get frustrated trying. If I didn't love it so dadgummed much, I'd throw in the sweat towel RIGHT NOW. The logical part of my brain tells me to...my SPIRIT says, YOU CAN OVERCOME....yeah ....can I ?

It all seems so unfair, doesn't it. Alot of people hate to run, wouldn't even want to ... they turn their noses up at the very idea ... and they're pain-free and CAPABLE ...

I love it; I live for it; I find my true inspiration when I'm out there ... oh sure, I'm not gifted like Steve Prefontaine or Jesse Owens .. I'm not RICHF .... I'm just a late-bloomin' runner who discovered at middle age that she still *had it* within her to try .. to push hard .. and to discover she could do what in years prior she would never have attempted ... only to get injured and end up painfully sidelined ....

Gad what a depressing post. Sorry you had to read it.

I wish somebody could say, 'hey Betty, yanno what ? Come November or December, your foot will be 100% again, and you'll be out there relishing the run again, PAINFREE ...."

I'd give anything for that.

Betty

[BigRunner]

Sorry for your bad day. You will get better and get back to running in THE TIME YOUR BODY NEEDS TO HEAL PROPERLY.
Unfortunately, your body is not on your timetable, it has its own.
I know you don't want to hear this, but maybe (just maybe) it's best not to put all the hope on doing that marathon. You don't need the added pressure of marathon training on top of healing after a major surgery.
That being said, if 3 weeks from now things are 1000% better, then go for it.

By the way, looking at doing St. Louis a year from now (if your not busy that weekend). I know you'll be back in top form by then.

Keep your chin up. Things will get better (they always do). I UNDERSTAND your pain of NOT running. Been there, done that.

[ttdriver]

By the way, looking at doing St. Louis a year from now (if your not busy that weekend). I know you'll be back in top form by then.

I WILL MEET YOU THERE! (wasn't that a song? Meet me in St. Louis, Louis?) That would be awesome, 'cept you'd have to slow DOWN considerably to wait for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Rich for your kind words. DH keeps sayin' "its no big deal if ya can't do the marathon..." NO BIG DEAL????????????? for HIM maybe....

I can say this to YOU, cuz YOU understand. Ya make plans to run a marathon in JUNE and it takes place in MARCH ... how on earth do you talk yourself OUT OF IT? Come on, man..............

So I had a wake up call yesterday morning. I said, I don't care what people say. I don't care what the doctor says. I don't even care what common sense says. The TRUTH IS....I gotta run...I WILL RUN....

It won't be pretty. It won't be a bragging right. But I will be at the start line....and I will cross the finish line....HOPEFULLY ON THE SAME DAY.

Yeah, runners are insane folk. No question.

Tomorrow (Saturday)'s goal: 3 mile RUN.


Betty

[BigRunner]

15 miles in. Had to combine a couple of runs together due to bad weather (heavy rain) and my youngest sons birthday.

5 miles tomorrow to finish up the week.

Betty, your decision is INSANE in the context of normal people. For a RUNNER though, it makes perfect sense (it's what I would do). Best of Luck in starting some training.


RichF

[BigRunner]

5 miles in.

Only 25 miles this coming week. Marathon is the following week.

RichF