Product Review - The Stick

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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.

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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!

Foot Turning, Shin Splints and changing the stride.

This is a repost from my Wordpress Blog.

So, ever since my long run in my marathon-training attempt, I have suffered from some shin splint pain on the left shin after a run. This week has been true to form, with the pain returning as my running has. Then, I began to look at the picture from the Pete Keyes Turkey Trot that I did on Thanksgiving day, and noticed my foot. If

you look at the picture to the right, you can see that my toe shoes are clearly NOT pointing straight ahead.

After I saw this, I decided to google the phrases "does running with feet pointed out cause shin splints." This brought back many different results. So, after reading countless pages, some of which did help, others were unrelated in their entirety - I discovered that this was a common thought on contributions toward shin splints.

running with toes pointed outward - was a contributor according to one site, along with "Tight Achilles and calf muscles."

Shin Splints HURT!!!!! Seriously, is 24 pain-free days to much to ask for?

I have to admit, I am growing progressively less amused with the idea of ankle pain.    My calves seem to be doing GREAT!!! I did 3.5 miles yesterday with a "Faster-than-marathon" pace - and they felt AWESOME!!! In fact, my whole body felt great - EXCEPT for my shins on my left leg.  I have one place on the inside of my leg (Front/inside) that is quite painful.  There was a matching pain on the outside - but the inside one was definitely worse.  I cut my run short from what I had planned (it was going to be a mid-week longer run) due to this.  The last half mile or so was REALLY painful.

I got home and iced it, and spent the night massaging it (or as close as I could) while taking Advil and after a short period I was walking on it ok, with just a slight twinge. It gave me great hope!

This morning I was walking with a noticeable limp and significant pain. I have KT Tape'd it (though this doesn't seem as effective on shin splints as it is on a sore calf), and took Advil. I woke up too late to ice it sot hat will have to wait until tonight.  I am thinking tonight will be a bike ride or a swim for my work out, and possibly friday as well. 

I hate how negative my blog has become, but it has become a frustrating game of "what can I hurt now?"    I know that I am physically capable of doing the Marine Corps Marathon, and enjoying it - If my left leg will let me.  This is a goal I have had since I was 16, 20 years ago. I 'd really like to see a check on that bucket list!

Less than 24 more days.. Is that really to much to ask for?

Running for a Ride - a great motivator.

Only 25 days to go! At this point, I should be starting my taper - having done my longest run of 20 miles this last weekend.

Except, that didn't happen. :( Though now you need to turn that frown upside down - because I am actually in a pretty good spot. The 13.2 I did over the weekend wasn't to bad - and I think I will be able to do somewhere between 15 and 20 this weekend. I have obviously left the "Hal Higdon" training plan, but (For those whom have just started reading my blog - Joining the other three of you) with the Calf problems I have had that lead to my time-off of running - I am doing fantastic. I am on track to be able to complete the Marathon (with no real time goal.)

KT Tape and Taking it easy...

So my free samples of the KT Tape and the Rock Tape did arrive last week, I apologize for slacking and not mentioning it sooner.  The Rock Tape company sent me two excellent little sample packs. Bright red tape with their logo on it.   Then, two days later the KT Tape arrived in the mail.  And they sent two full size BOXES of tape.  I was pretty excited to try it out - so my wife helped me put it on (ie, i stood there while she put it on.  I decided to go with the KT Tape, as there was more of it - so more room for error and wastage.  We followed an easy to follow instructional video.

It was interesting, as it seemed to help.  I won't lie - I didn't really expect it too and was pleasantly suprised.  The tape did start to peel off in 1.5-2 days (tried two different applications).  As an addtional test, I then took the tape off for a couple of days.  The pain in my calf definitely came back faster while I was running, and lasted longer as far as healing/recovery.

Calf Pain

So, I love running in my vibram five fingers.. It really forces me to change HOW I am running. It also makes the entire process more enjoyable!  Something about the change in the way my stride works improves the experience - But there are some unfortunate side effects to them.

All of the reading i did online before i really started going - and everyone warned against "too much too soon" - so I have been trying to take it easy.. I started with 1/2 a mile and worked up (for the most part).

My right calf has been KILLING me. Yet, I didn't feel that I had done much beyond what seemed reasonable - and not by a runner's stand point. It turns out that when learning to run barefoot, or in VFF's - that if one doesn't actually let their heel hit the ground, the calf muscle gets an INCREDIBLE workout.. in otherwords - agony. So, rather than running in my VFF's full time and being limited to a mile or two - i have begun to do a couple miles in my old running shoes, then switch and concentrate on making sure that right heel touches the ground!!

It took alot of research through various forums and websites to find that one gem of wisdom. I knew I was doing something wrong, just couldn't figure out what it was!