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A big, fat 0.
That’s the number of miles I have run in the last 7 days.
0.
Zip.
Nada.
I’m definitely starting to get a little grumpy.
But now I am battling myself on two fronts. The fire, that internal engine is still stuck in neutral; motivation to train is at a low; but even if the desire were back, I am now facing an issue of pain in my right heel, my right knee and right hip. The latter two, I am convinced, are offshoots of the first.
Not to get too graphic, but a callused part of my heel decided couple of weeks ago to crack. That has led to a sharp pain in my heel, which has led me to alter my gait, which I am convinced has thrown off the fine-tuning on my right leg. It doesn’t help that my right leg has always been noticeably smaller than my left, that I am weaker on the right side. My symmetry has always been a little off, but this cracked heel has thrown everything way off balance.
Those aches and pains that have kept my motivation down these past several weeks are waxing, not waning.
It is not the expected result of rest.
I’m going to have a serious problem if things don’t turn around in the next week or two. I still believe I can be ready for my next marathon on 5 weeks training, maybe even 4, but the last time I tried to fake my way through on anything shorter (my first marathon), the result was frozen quads at mile 20. At least if it happens at Around the Lake, I’ll be no more than a mile and a half from the finish.
Ugh.
I hate this feeling.
My motivation may be in the crapper right now, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to run.
I.
Want.
To.
Run.
I want to sweat, I want to breathe hard, I want to feel spent.
It is my therapy.
Hopefully the heel heals soon and a modicum of symmetry is returned to my body. I really think that once I stop limping, the knee and hip will right itself.
At least that’s my hope.
I hope I’m right.
Run Luau Run 
So what can you do in the meantime to sweat and breathe hard? Swim, bike or….not that! Strength train Luau, that’s what I was referring to! Hope your foot heals soon so that you can get your groove back.
thanks Sheila. Just may have to do that…break out the dumb bells and start lifting.
My man, we are like running twins! My running mojo has left me, I have my next marathon in 6 weeks, and my left foot cracked open last week, throwing everything off! It’s like that episode of Seinfeld, where everyone is Bizarro.
In any case, I hope you (and me both) recover and find the drive to get out there ASAP. My plan is to hid my Garmin for awhile, just run however far and fast (or short and slow) I feel like running, just because I like running, not because I’m obligated to do something specific for training purposes. I’ll let you know how it works!
That’s so weird that we are going through the same stuff. I’m gonna try to put in some miles on Sunday, same strategy as yours. Hopefully things will get better quickly for us. Which Mary are you running?
Hey Luau,
First, I finished my first marathon (almost an ultra), with little to no time on the road. I think you might find it interesting, so check out my blog for the run down. Most notably is that I had little to no muscle pain from the resulting 8 hours of running. I am 100% convinced this is because of the Five fingers and how they make you move. I have a lot of thoughts that could help, but most notably I think you should check out this book:
http://amzn.com/0553379887
Its Pain Free by Pete Egoscue and its all about symmetry, and, more importantly, how to restore it. As a trainer, this has been monumental in my professional development. As an athlete, it keeps me injury free. I hope to chat soon.
Michael
Thanks Michael. I will check out the book and your blog for the run down!
Glanced at J. Ryan Bair’s link. I think the link below is probably very useful. I have been following your Boston marathon for some time, mostly because of the non-running related stuff. But, in many of the pictures posted, that heel is leading waaaay out in front. I do 99% of my running bure barefoot and I actually have zero calluses. The Pain Free book has an interesting blurb about calluses. I hope you get the book. Its truly revolutionary. A guy like you will eat it up!
http://www.running-pt.com/2011/05/should-all-runners-stop-heel-striking.html
Hi Luau,
Lower extremity asymmetries can really contribute to a slew of overuse-related running injuries. You are correct in your thinking….fix the issue in the right foot first – then work on gaining stability throughout that right side so that you are not as likely to injure yourself there in the future. This post of mine might shed more light on your issue — http://www.running-pt.com/2011/04/always-injured-on-one-side-think.html
Let me know if you need any help or advice.
– J. Ryan Bair, PT, DPT
I will definitely take a look at the post. Thanks J!
What do you do for that kind of injury? Is rest the only thing? New Skin? gail
I’m trying moisturizer too, plus no flip flops for a few days.
When we get injuries and are forced to take a break, we always get grumpy. In fact, it’s tough to hear or read about others running and training. BUT…you WILL heal. It’s just your body saying “back off”. Allow the healing and sooner rather than later you will be running and feeling good again.
As for the marathon training, you’re a seasoned marathoner. You know what to do to get from mile 1 to mile 26.2. Don’t worry. Make the best of the forced vacation.
“As for the marathon training, you’re a seasoned marathoner. You know what to do to get from mile 1 to mile 26.2. Don’t worry.”
Joanne – this line gave me a certain sense of peace. Thank you.
Get some udder ointment. Helps with my dry, cracked heels.
I’m gonna track some down. Thanks Logan!
Bath and Body Works and Aveda both have great foot creams. I’d pair Heel of Approval from BBW with Foot Remedy from Aveda.
I realize that you may have clanked out at the mention of moisturizers, but while I don’t know much about running yet, I know my personal care goods. 🙂