Wednesday, March 28, 2007

A Stress Fracture ... It Is Not

Well, I should say that it isn't likely. The good doctor, who is a fellow runner, said that it can be one of three things:

Gout - not likely because of my age, and the quasi-regular and generally healthy diet

Stress Fracture - not likely because it wouldn't heal quit as quickly as it is healing, and I would definitely remember what I did that made it happen

Myopersomethingorother Sprain - a ligament in the area of the big toe that is in some type of distress

It should be fine in about two weeks. If not, then I will be taking a trip to a Podiatrist where an x-ray will be administered, and a local shot will be given if the images show that a stress fracture isn't the cause of my grief. If it is a stress fracture, then my right foot will be in some kind of a rubber boot type contraption until it gets better.

And there's MORE good news.

I can continue running ... but only on a treadmill. It stinks that I have to miss out on these gorgeous days that are simply PERFECT for running, but I can't complain too much.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

A Stress Fracture?

I may have one ... in my right foot ... around the area of my big toe.

I think it may have happened in the beginning of March on a Monday night during a multi-impact class ... or a Wednesday night during a cardio kick boxing class. I remember feeling something not quite right at some point jumping on one foot, but dismissed it as a cramp or a minor bad step. The pain would come back every now and then, but I didn't suspect anything serious.

And then I went running ... outside ... with intentions to cover at minimum 8 miles. After four miles, I hobbled back home with the most severe pain in my foot ... EVER. I was walking on my right heal because my toe could not bear any load without making me scream and flail my arms.

So in a little over 2 hours, I will be going to see the doctor for a formal diagonis. I even went out last night for an emergency / season's-first pedicure. I don't exactly want a perfect stranger to examine a set of ugly feet with unpolished toes. What kind of impression would that give? I can deal with being thought of as a person that engages in acts of self mutilation via exercise, but to be labeled as a masochist with poor hygiene is simply too much.

I hope this thing will take less than two weeks to heal.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Speed Work #3

I forgot to look at my training log yesterday, but I remembered something about a series of one milers with speed, some type of recovery in the middle, and a one mile warm up and cool down to amount to 7 miles. So I ended up doing:
  • One (1) Mile Warm Up starting at 4.0 to 6.5 mph
  • One (1) Mile with speed at 7.5 mph (8 minutes per mile) - heart rate at 82%
  • 1/4 Mile (400 Meters) Recovery at 6.5 mph (9:14 minutes per mile) - heart rate at 78%
  • Two (2) Miles with speed at 7.7 mph (7:47 minutes per mile) and recovery in between - heart rate between 85 and 88%
  • 1/4 Mile (400 Meters) Recovery at 6.5 mph (9:14 minutes per mile) in between - heart rate at 80%
  • One (1) Mile with speed at 7.7 mph (7:47 minutes per mile) for half a mile, and 8.0 mph (7:30 minutes per mile) for the last half mile - heart rate between 88 and 90%
  • 1/4 Mile (400 Meters) Cool Down
Everything was pretty close, but the recovery was suppose to be for 1/2 mile (800 meters) and the speed was suppose to be at 7.0 mph (8:30 minutes per mile). So, I'm pretty glad that I didn't look at the log.

I also skipped the Recovery and proper cool down because the kick boxing class had started, and I was very interested in attending. I still had a bunch of energy left and I didn't feel fatigued, so I went, and I'm glad I did.

In addition to making it to Boston, my auxiliary goal is to become more coordinated and have a wider range of aerobic motion. So I've been picking up some step and kick boxing classes, and I've noticed a remarkable difference.

My shape is changing, and I attribute that to the additional classes that makes use of a variety of muscles intensely, which I hadn't really used before. I also feel that I have more control over my body, and my running has benefited from it. I don't feel as tired after a hard work out, and my trouble areas (knees, Achilles, shins) aren't quite as troublesome.

In short, I highly recommend for runners to take on a multitude of aerobic cross training, and to try things that require a variety of movement and coordination.