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MCM14 Training, Week 5: A Setback

Date
Workout
Miles
Avg Pace
Monday, 8/11Regular Run69:33
Tuesday, 8/12Regular Run99:47
Wednesday, 8/13Rest0--
Thursday, 8/14Regular Run69:37
Friday, 8/15Rest0--
Saturday, 8/16Long Run169:45
Sunday, 8/17Yoga in the Park0--

Total Weekly Mileage: 37

My training runs are feeling better in some respects--endurance, mind set, time (sometimes)--but in another respect, I'm concerned about my ability to fully train for this marathon. My left foot, the one with bursitis, has been hurting again. It hasn't gotten so bad that I feel I can't run through it, and in fact the pain isn't the worst while I'm running--it's the days after when I'm just walking around that I feel the most pain. I just want to walk in giant, protective marshmallow shoes (perhaps I should try the Hoka One Ones). But the underlying issue would still be there. So what do I do? I've decided to take a bit of a break this week to see how much better I can feel. If my condition improves, I may go down to running only three days per week moving forward and see how that works. But I have a feeling that the long runs alone are going to aggravate my foot. So the goal will be pain management until I can no longer manage the pain and the end goal is not worthwhile. I don't want to throw in the towel now, but I want to be realistic about my options. I could also seriously revise my training schedule to include more break weeks and do either a run-walk or a slow run at the actual marathon. I'm also going to a sports massage therapist this week to see if he uses any modalities that can help treat bursitis. I will report back next week.

As for my actual training that I did accomplish, it went well. I was fortunate to have company on my 16-miler Saturday morning. My primary training partner for Steamtown, Nicole, is also training for Marine Corps, and we finally got a partner run in. We work well together because she keeps our pace down from the start (where I'd usually be sluggish), and I try to make it last toward the end. While I was able to get in to the Marine Corps Marathon through the lottery system, Nicole is raising money for a charity to gain her entrance. One of her very close friends was a Marine Corps Officer and recently passed away from cancer, far too young. You can read her touching story, and, if you're so inclined, donate to the very worthy charity Little Things for Cancer.

In place of a watch picture (which I admit I took also), here is the view from the parking lot where the Blue Shark training group meets, on Davis Islands:

Not too shabby, eh?

Because my foot pain had started to set in around mile 10, I started thinking immediately about picking up a bag of ice to bring home for my first ice bath of the training season. After successfully completing 16 miles at a slightly lower pace than I normally would have, thanks to Nicole, my foot was doing OK, but I knew more pain would set in after I took off my running shoes and started to walk around. So I prepared my ice bath as soon as I got home.

Does this look enticing, or what?

In the past, I've used the ice bath to alleviate pain and inflammation in my legs, so I usually left my feet sticking out of the water. But this time I submerged my feet, and holy cow did it hurt. I lasted maybe two minutes before I couldn't stand it anymore. Feet just aren't very fleshy, so there's not much barrier between the ice-cold water and all of the nerves that send pain signals to my brain, which I couldn't ignore, try as I did.

After this I resorted to my usual ice pack wrapped on my foot with an Ace bandage. Much more tolerable. Next, I was in for a treat. Tim's mom, who reports on community events for the Tampa Tribune, had invited me to be her guest at the Plant Based Bites in the Heights Pop-Up Brunch, a one-time event held at a rented space. The chef, Michelle Lyons Ehrlich, prepared an AMAZING array of vegan brunch food and drink for attendees. I was especially happy that she came up with creative plant-based food thats that did not include soy, which is in my opinion an overused product in vegan cuisine. There were vegans and carnivores and everything in between in attendance, and everyone seemed to love the food equally.

Vegan, organic, and 100% delicious!

The idea with this event was to try out some dishes and feel out the community's interest in a vegan restaurant in Seminole Heights. Based on the responses I heard and read, Michelle would certainly not be wanting for customers. I know I'd be a regular.

I'm currently on my second day of rest from running and am feeling a bit lazy. But I did go to yoga Monday, and I plan to go once more this week and then try one medium-mileage run. I still plan to do my long run this weekend, but it's a come-down run of 12 miles, so I feel I won't be overdoing it. Here's hoping I'm able to get some relief for my foot and continue training on an altered schedule next week!

Comments

B.o.B. said…
I would say that I don't think the Hokas could hurt. I'm not sure the cushion on the bottom would make a difference though if the bursitis is on the top of your foot. Let me know how the sports massage person is!

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