Positive Peer Pressure

Positive Peer Pressure. <-- I asked The Curvy RoadRunner to go for a run for me, since I am unable to do so.  Here is her post about it!  Go read!

Taping Plantar Faciitis again.

So I pulled the tape off that I have had on my foot for 4 or 5 days.  The tape was not quite in the same shiny white condition it had been.  In fact,I think the technical term would be - nasty.   But I hadn't been wearing it as a fashion statement, instead I had been wearing it as I had been able to walk mostly pain-free with the tape.  Having removed it, my first question was how much it would (or wouldn't) hurt to walk with its absence. so I was curious as to how it would do without the tape.  The foot-log felt good with out the tape, so I tried walking.  there was some uncomfortableness (is that a word?) when I walked - so I decided (With my wife's brilliant input) to re-tape it.  Well, that means I asked my wife to re-tape it and she agreed. Have you ever tried to tape your own foot?

I miss running.

Plantar Faciitis status report

I've been quiet lately, as using an elliptical isn't terribly interesting to write about.  The only good thing I can say about it, is that I am catching up on my Battlestar Gallactica episodes.  If I continue with how I have been watching them - Watch a couple, don't for several months - repeat.. --- Then I should have the series completed by the time my daughter gets married, and she is only 8!

[caption id="attachment_1501" align="alignright" width="300" caption="First I tape around the ball of my foot."][/caption]

As for the title of the blog posting. I have been continuing to research how various people have "cured" plantar faciitis.  Mine is better than it was, but has moved to a slow gradual improvement, rather than the quick improvement of the first few days.    I have returned to wearing my Vibram Five Fingers as all of my other shoes actually bothered the PF more after those first couple of days were passed.  I have it taped, using the instructions my doctor's office gave me.  The picture to the right shows the taping method that I used but with one difference..  Before doing the taping in the picture, the ball of my foot is taped by wrapping it all the way around my foot.  This has been WONDERFUL as far as reducing the pressure on the plantar facia. 

Race Report - Healthy Steps for Kids 5k

Unfortunately with my foot, I was unable to run the race I had planned on saturday.  So I headed out to cheer on Derek, as well as a former co-worker.   Derek was nice enough to write-up a guest post so we would still have a race report!

[caption id="attachment_1494" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Derek (in white) 50 feet from the starting line - ahead of our former co-worker Tim (in the Orange)"][/caption]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

[caption id="attachment_1495" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Derek and Tim coming up the hill after the 1 mile mark. The 10 year old in the gren shirt came in third over-all."][/caption]So it was my first race of the year and I did not know how I would do, so I was thought I would try to pace myself with somebody during the race.  It turned out that only a few people in the race were faster than I was, so there was no one I could really pace myself with.  I ended up trying to pace it by myself.

The race started and I took off - I was running with the  leader for just  a little bit, but he started pulling away. For probably three fifths of the race I was in 5th place, behind what seemed  to be two adult runners and two young kids. The kids where 10, but man could they run. Finally Tim (former co-worker) passed me again -

Foot Log initial impressions.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="204" caption="I tried it out as soon as I opened the box."][/caption]

So, this isn't a full review as I have had it less than a day - but my FootLog arrived yesterday!  My first impression was the same as when I saw it online.

It looks like a lego.

But I have learned to not judge a book by its cover, a wine by its label or sports equipment by its appearance - so I was still game to try it.

Wow.  That is my first impression.  Wow.  It felt amazing.  After using it on my foot with Planar Faciitis I was able to walk completely flat-footed.  I can only imagine how wonderful this thing would be after a vacation day of walking around a city.  Or after a trade-show of standing on your feet all day.

This thing is incredible.  My wife is working at a local Chamber of Commerce Show all day today, and will be on her feet for over 8 hours.  She is looking forward to using it at the end of the day today!

I don't know yet how well it is going to work to help "cure" my plantar faciitis, but it certainly made it feel better last night! Well, at least until I went and spent two hours walking around the mall.  I will keep you informed of how it goes!

Product Review - The Stick

[caption id="attachment_1473" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Picture from thestick.com"][/caption]

So I got one of the "Stiff" sticks for Christmas from my darling wife and have mentioned it in many posts - yet I have never done a "formal" product review.  In case you are not a daily reader of my Blog  and found this site through googling "the stick product review,"  let me start out by saying - I LOVE THE STICK!!!  It is one of the greatest inventions in my humble opinion. (By the way, if you are not a daily reader of my blog, this is easy to remedy, just click the "Sign me up! button over there --->  )

I was first introduced to it at the Marine Corps Marathon Expo.  My family and I were walking around like tourists in NY city for the first time, when we went by the booth for "the stick."  The clever salesman asked me if I had any muscle issues - which those who have read my blog know my trouble spots are my calves. - and had me sit down.  He started on my hamstring, as the muscle groups AROUND the trouble spot all contribute - since muscles work together.  He then hit my calves.

[caption id="attachment_1474" align="alignright" width="123" caption="picture from thestick.com"][/caption]

It. Was. Heaven.

The only way I can describe it, is that it was like a personal masseuse had appeared out of nowhere and decided to massage my tight, sore, and all-too-often-pulled calf muscles.  The video below shows how to use this wonderful item.  I have one that is longer and stiffer than the one in the video (no sexual innuendo intended,) as I ordered the one used on me at the expo.  He demonstrates wonderfully how to use it on your calf muscles - but doesn't show the hamstrings.  Luckily it is pretty much the same thing - just higher up your leg!

3 Mile Run, Doctor's Visit - Plantar Fasciitis

Good Morning! 

[caption id="attachment_1466" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Gratuitous picture of my daughter and her cat.
Not related to anything in the posting."][/caption]

So I have been quiet lately.  As you may recall I went trail-running with Derek on Saturday April 7th, and ended up with a  sore foot.  Well, I took a week off of running, using my elliptical until Saturday April 14th.  At that point the only "pain" I had was a dull throb in the front of my heel that felt like I had a rock in my shoe. (Yes, I checked. No rock.)   I decided to head out for a short run of around 3 miles, with a plan of 5-7 on sunday.

The run felt awesome. My heel let up a bit, so that I wasn't even noticing it.  It always amazes me how great it feels to be out there after a break.  I was enjoying it - until I passed the "mile 2" marker.  My foot became more noticeable. It wasn't excruciating, nor even bad enough to mess with my running form that I could notice.  After I got back home, I stretched using static stretches held for 10 seconds.   AFter showering it was tender enough that I was favoring it, so I sat down for a while.. When I stood up I almost fell over it hurt so bad.  I had read descriptions of Plantar Fasciitis online where someone compared it to a nail being driven into their heel.  I totally agree with this description.

Elliptical and the end of the movie!

So last night I needed to burn some calories.  While my foot is mostly feeling better (just feels tight for the most part) - I decided to learn from last years' repeated attempts at rushing back into running after injury (and getting re-injured.)  So, it was an elliptical night.  The good point of this, is that I got to finish watching "Season of the Witch" on Netflix.  It wasn't a bad movie, but I certainly have no regrets about missing it in the theater.  Definitely not Nicholas Cage's best movie.

My cheap curb-found elliptical does creak a lot as its used, but it is still much quieter than the treadmill.  I did an hour and five minutes on it, and worked up a sweat - but never was out of breath.  Due to the short  stride of my elliptical I can't really go at "running" speed, but it was still a good exercise.  I think I am on the elliptical again tonight, perhaps friday as well.  With the half marathon coming up the first weekend in May, I really want to make sure I'm not being stupid about jumping back in.  In "Will Run for Margarita's" latest blog entry - she mentioned using KT Tape for her Plantar Facia. I may toss that on tonight and when I do try to run again - just in case.

I'm thinking of picking up a pair of the Merril Trail Gloves for future trail-running.

Weekend in Review - Treadmill, Trail Run and pain on the bottom of the foot.

Friday was a nice day off with the kids (Easter Break started.)  Since I had both of them home, my choice was to wait for my wife to get home (5:00 pm) or run on the treadmill.  Rather than wait, I decided on the treadmill.  I seem to be spending a lot of time on that treadmill lately.  I did a nice easy 6 mile run, and an incredible Chest/Tricep/Shoulder workout.  I started watching "Season of the Witch" on my wife's tablet while I ran, but it wouldn't connect to the wireless for the cool down run. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of it, and it certainly  beats staring at the white wall - or watching the numbers on the treadmill go.

Followed it up with a lunch at Panera Bread.  With their "you pick two" lunches, it's really easy to get a healthy AND tasty meal!

[caption id="attachment_1441" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Derek right before his run!"][/caption]

Saturday I met up with Derek, a coworker of mine that is bound and determined that I am not going to be faster than he is in a 5k.  Personally, I think he doesn't want to get beat by an "old man."  We headed up to Chenengo Valley State park to go for a run on some trails.

Product Review: ifitness belt and hydration add-on.

[caption id="attachment_1431" align="alignleft" width="300"] Obviously not me wearing it. Picture is from ifitnessinc.com[/caption]

So last August, Detroit Runner did a giveaway for an ifitness belt (edited on 8/15/2013 - the company name has changed to fitletic) which I was fortunate enough to win.  I have worn it several times on runs and in races, although I haven't said much about it. Well, today - that changes!

This is a running item I didn't even know that I needed.  I always found a place to stash my car-keys at races, and then just hoped they would still be there.  Now I was fortunate and they always were, but it never stopped crossing my mind that it might not remain that way.  I was able to pick from any of the colors of the single pouch neoprene running belts, and went with black/grey (it goes with anything after all.)  I have found it to be

Cross training with Curb-Found Treasure!

So yesterday was my rest day.  Unfortunately I am finding that I really don't like having days of no exercise.  Maybe it's because I am staring at calories on my phone whenever I eat, or maybe it is simply knowing I'm not doing anything - but either way I have become one of those people who is driven batty by doing no exercising. I also feel bleh if I do NOTHING.

[caption id="attachment_1420" align="alignleft" width="270" caption="My Daughter Demonstrating our Elliptical"][/caption]

Last night I ended up staying late due to its being a board meeting night, and was headed out not to long after - due to it being cub-scout night.  I decided to tackle the elliptical for a simple 20 minute window.  Now there is a short background story on this elliptical.  I have a tendency to notice when my neighbors put big things out on garbage day, and also to consider whether or not it should have a place in my house. (My wife insists these things must take place after dark however..)  Well, we lost some fantastic neighbors about a month ago and in the process of their moving out some things appeared at the curb.  A never-before-used elliptical was too good to pass up.  This treasure still had the plastic covering over the display!  Now it isn't a high-end elliptical, but I thought it would be a fantastic tool to see if a good one was something my wife and I should pick up.  This one has multiple reviews on walmart.com, that mostly point out it has a short stride length.  As my wife is only 5' tall, this isn't a bad thing!

Running the Hills with Dr. Denton

Running in the rain, and dragging a friend out for a run (though not in that order)

So, a couple of days to recap today!

Friday, I took a co-worker Derek out for a run.  He had never gone further than 4.1, and didn't think he could do 5 miles or longer.  I figured that such self-doubts could never lead to anything good, and decided to do a good deed.  Yes sir! That's correct!  On friday, Derek and I went for a run leaving from work - and headed over into Otsiningo Park.  He now knows that he can do 7 miles!  I will say he didn't have quite the bounce in his step at the end compared to the bounce in the beginning!  Seriously though, Derek did a fantastic job.  He thinks of himself as a basketball/softball player and coach, but I see that "runner" in side begging to come out!

Saturday no running occurred.  But many, many Girl Scout cookies were sold at my daughter's troop's Cookie Sale.  We were right outside of Pet Depot - so my son and I (we were moral support) kept going in and playing with the puppies.  They had the CUTEST black lab puppy!

Sunday was gong to be my "long" run - but I didn't head out until 7ish.  I had originally planned on doing 10 miles, but by 8 o'clock it was quite dark and I figured my wife was starting to worry.  I called it at 8 miles.  It was raining and around 40 degrees, which helped me learn a valuable lesson.  40 is much colder when you are wet.  I will remember this and dress appropriately in the future!

As you may have seen in the comments of my post on "Soreness" - Maureen was kind enough to point out the value of a cool-down and stretching.  I was unable to use my Stick as I had lent it to Derek (I thought it was the least I could do after torturing him), but I did cool down and stretch out.  I can report no soreness this morning!  Thank you Maureen!

March in Review!

So, I haven't often done the "Month in Review" - but I think this seems a good time to start!  Especially since, looking back at this month - I am pretty excited about what I have accomplished!

So, lets see my monthly mileage ---- According to DailyMile I did 82 Miles in March - The most mileage I have ever done in a month!  In comparison, the most I have run in a month up until now was 67 miles in July of 2011.  I seem to be headed for a much better base on my training for the marathon this year! If I keep this up, the 26.2 will be NO problem!

As far as races are concerned - I had a personal best in the 15k (1:16:51) on 25 March, and a personal best in a 4 mile race on the 16th of March (29:15).

I also lost 6 pounds in the month of March!

Overall I think this was a GREAT month!

Total Numbers:
Miles: 81.6 (per Cardiotrainer)
Total Calories (includes strength training) burned: 12,053
Total time spent running: 718 minutes, or 11 hours 48 minutes.
Longest Run: 9:3 miles

Year to date:
Miles: 186 (Daily Mile)