PR and Injury Updates

After looking up some previous 4-mile times, I figured out that my time with Shelby last week was a PR (personal record) for a 4-mile run. So far, two of my PRs came during runs with Shelby, but here's my list for now.

• 5k: Start to Finish (late July 2009), 24:51. No Shelby.
• 4-mile: Westport St. Patrick's Day Run (13 March 2010), 33:05. Shelby!
• 10k: Pilgrim Pacer (mid-November 2009), 52:04.4. Shelby!
• Half-marathon: Georgetown to Idaho Springs (early August 2009), 2:03: ??. No Shelby.
  

Of course, the half-marathon time is my only half-marathon time and was done at 8,500-feet altitude with a bum toe, but hey, at least I've done one. Over the last year, my 5k time dropped by 30 seconds, my 4-mile time dropped by a minute, and my 10k time dropped by over two minutes. I doubt I'll see much gain in my 5k time, but I could see all the other times dropping a bit, especially if I can manage to do another half-marathon.

I'm losing hope that I will be able to do my first marathon this year, though, because my sesamoiditis problems made a come back. Embracing a 3-day a week running program (with two cross-training days) and going to a sports medicine doc has helped tremendously. However, I run so much on my toes/forefoot and have high enough arches that I just don't think my toe can take anything longer than a half. We'll see. I'd rather be able to keep running shorter distances than end up side-lined with injuries because of training for longer distances.

Part of my problem is I like being able to take off from my doorstep, which means running on uneven, crappy concrete side walks. I don't like the idea of driving to run, but a good compromise might be to drive to a trail to do my weekend long runs. Shelby and I would both enjoy the change in scenery, and running on trails or grass would be much easier on my entire body. Looking out on today's early spring snow, I'm not sure we'll be making any treks out today, but this is something to consider for future weekends.

Another topic I've been researching quite a bit is barefoot running. I'll not go into details here (another post for another day), but I know that if I wanted to try it, it would be mean going back to the very basics--walk 20 minutes, jog 5, walk 20 minutes, jog 5, and up for months. The one issue that I need to have addressed before I even try is whether it's a good option for someone with the kind of toe problem I have because it sounds like it would be worse for me, considering how much stress barefoot running puts on the forefoot. We'll see, but I am planning to buy my first pair of Vibram FiveFinger shoes, simply because I have wanted a pair since I tried on a pair of a student in one of my classes two or three years ago. I love toe socks, sandles, and barefoot walking whenever I can get away with it, so these shoes seem like just the thing for me.

The whole process of (unexpectedly) falling in love/getting addicted to running and dealing with frustrating injuries has been a good experience for me in acknowledging limitations (in particular, anatomical limitations), assessing and re-assessing the goals I had become obsessive about (like doing a marathon this year), and making accommodations to get at the base issue: I want to be able to keep running, no matter the distance, simply because I enjoy getting out with Shelby. If/when I keep that base issue in mind, I stop feeling frustrated and end up doing a much better job of accepting the bad/hard days and injuries.

Now, I need to apply this process to other areas of my life . . .

Back?

I went to a podiatrist three weeks ago who declared "seisamoiditis" after talking with me and looking over x-rays. That was a good thing because it means none of the bones are fractured, but he still suggested a foot brace/walking caste thing--even though he said it wouldn't help my foot heal any more quickly. I opted out of that and went my merry way, getting out my bike again to try to keep in shape for the 4-6 weeks he suggested I rest.

The bike's been good to me: I quickly remembered how much I love riding (I used to ride everywhere and do MS150s every fall), but I was still antsy to get back to my morning runs. Last week, after more than two weeks, my foot was feeling fine, so I tried out running on a treadmill. The first day, I only did one mile, and while my foot didn't bother me too much, I was disappointed at how winded I felt. I'd been exercising almost every day, but the biking, swimming, and other activities just didn't get my heart going the way running does. The next day, I did two miles and felt good, but I quit when my foot started bothering me and decided to take a few days off.

The pain didn't last past the second I stepped off the treadmill, so today, after three more days without running, I took off with Shelby for a 2.5 miler. She was ecstatic, almost knocking me down the stairs when I left her out of her crate after putting Meeso into hers. We took a well-worn path to a nearby park, and Shelby--and my foot--did great. Again, though, the breathing got me: Shelby wanted to go the same speed we had been going a month ago, and I kept having to tug on her leash to get her to slow down so I could gulp enough air to keep going.

I'm a little disappointed at how quickly I lost the pace I worked for months to gain, but the joy of being out again more than makes up for it. I know I can get it back; I just have to make sure I don't push too hard or too much in the process . . .

Sad Eyes

Shelby got pretty excited this morning when she saw me get out my Asics, the shoes I have been wearing because they have the best padding for my toe. When I didn't make a move for her running leash, though, her tail drooped, and I got the sad eyes. Less than a week until the podiatrist visit . . .

Made It (Sigh)

Too tired to fully explore everything the way I want to right now, I am posting something tonight as a sort of bookmark for the event: I might have exacerbated the injury to my left big toe (also known as the hallux, Latin fans), but I did finish my first half-marathon this past Saturday in two hours and three minutes, just a few minutes past where I wanted to be. Keeping the toe injury and the lack of altitude readiness in mind, I'm okay with that finish.

Having gotten to our hotel an hour-and-a-half later than hoped after a tire almost blew out and had to be replaced, the boyfriend and I had less than 12 hours to acclimate to the 8,500-foot altitude before getting up at a little after 5:00 a.m. to head to the start line. After standing outside for an hour and fifteen minutes in 48 degree weather, I was off with a 12-minute first mile that was my longest. Yes, indeed, I ran negative splits (increasingly faster miles) for the most part up until the last couple of miles, where I ran out of steam--and, I think, air. The hardest miles were the first few, where I was doubting my ability to keep going, and the last few, where the mountain scenery (gushing stream on the left-hand side, pine and birch trees on the right, mountains and blue sky everywhere) was no longer working its charm because every particle in me was gasping for the finish line.

I managed a sprint and a smile at the end, though, and one more silent thanks for the dog who couldn't participate but who had pulled me through all the miles that got me there. I think she was the happiest of the three dogs when we got home, but I've already told her: No more running until the toe is x-rayed, and no more longer distances this year. We'll be okay.

(P.S. I forgot to mention a couple of weeks ago that I had another first for the summer: My first medal! I was first in my age group for a local 5k with around 400 participants. It's been quite a summer for the running, and I hate to take it easy now, knowing all the good fall runs coming up, but . . .)

Disappointment

Ten weeks of training and a toe injury is taking me down a few days before the half marathon. I'm going to try to do it and take it easy, but, but, but . . . So much for feeling prepared and ready.