Ironman Recovery

I'm now four weeks into my Ironman Texas recovery.  I've actually raced two races during this period:
1. Race for the Pennant 5K in Houston--placing 2nd in age group.
2. Dirty Rock Tri, an off road triathlon--placing 3rd in age group.

This past week I finally started to feel almost back to normal; not that dreaded fatigue that makes me wonder how much longer the workout is going to be...even after only 15 minutes.

Next up on the schedule is el Scorcho 50K on 7/17/11 starting at midnight.

Train safe!

Back to full schedule

I am pleased to report that my foot is able to withstand my full running training load again.  Last week I was able to put in 31 miles, with my longest run being 14 miles!  Woo hoo!  Additionally, I did a 3 mile test run (something I have my clients do in their recovery weeks when they are not racing).  I was able to pull off a 19:40 for those three miles!!  After over five weeks without runnning, I was shocked I could push myself that fast.

Train safe!

Someone is still pulling my leg

I've lapped my fourth week with this silly barefoot running injury.  I have been training the equivalent time I'd normally training running on the elliptical machine.  Monday, I ran one mile on the treadmill.  I ran it at an easy pace, and it wasn't all that bad.  Unfortunately, I went back to a bit of a limp later on Monday and Tuesday.  Today is a bit better, but haven't run since Monday.

I'm registered to race on Sunday in Frost Yer Fanny, and still planning on running the Houston Half Marathon on the 30th.  I wanna run!!

Train safe!

One Week Later

It has been a little over a week since I fractured my foot.  I continue to hobble around, but with much greater speed and efficiency now.  I'm also getting in my biking, swimming and strength training and trying to substitute my running by doing the equivalent time on an elliptical machine.  I'm even wearing the special prescribed shoe as regular as possible.

Based on the pain, however, it looks like it will require the full six weeks of recovery before I can run. :-(

The Prognosis

So I go to the doctor yesterday about my foot.  I knew I was in trouble from the start when the assistant asked me the make and model of the shoe I was running in when the injury occurred.  "Well, ah, self made huaraches, sort of like barefoot running."  I get a stern look and get sent to X-Ray.  Mind you, I chose this doctor because she regularly runs ultras, so I knew she'd understand my compulsive behavior with endurance racing.

A few minutes later, the doctor (Dr. Stacey Bacon) enters the room and immediately starts to lecture me on how I should not be running barefoot.  It seems she was already briefed by a doctor/neighbor/friend of mine that morning about my background.  She even knew I had switched from the full Houston Marathon to the half.  I mean she went on for at least five straight minutes about how running barefoot is not a good idea.  Since I was in to see her due to barefoot running, I'm agreeing with her the entire time--yet, I had to endure the whole speech.  Now that wouldn't be bad, except my wife was in the room and loving every minute of having another women read me the riot act!

Dr. Bacon quickly reviewed the X-Rays, which showed nothing unusual (stress fractures won't show up until they start to heal).  She reviewed my foot and symptoms as well.  She said she's not sure if it is a stress fracture or something like a stress "response".  So I go back for more X-Rays in three weeks.  At that time she can determine if it is actually fractured or just bruised up.  Until then I'll be focused on cycling and swimming.

Train safe!

Don't Go Barefoot

Well, an end has come to my experiment with running in minimalist shoes.  Friday morning I ran a three mile warm up, planning to run an addition seven in shoes.  After about 2.5 miles my right foot really started to hurt, so much so that I really wanted to stop.  I pushed it home anyway. 

I then changed into shoes, even though my right foot really hurt.  I thought that maybe it was one of those types of pains that sometimes go away when you start running again.  Unfortunately that was not the case.  I could only go another 1.7 miles before I threw in the towel.

Since then I've not been able to walk on it.  Saturday morning the top of my foot turned black and blue.  Then it swelled up and I'm still having a hard time walking on it.  I'm afraid it is a stress fracture.  I see the doctor tomorrow morning.  As a result I've changed from the Houston Full Marathon to the Half Marathon, hoping that I can at least have a fun walk that day (today was the last day to make the switch, otherwise I would have waited until after the doctor looked at it).

Looks like my focus will be on cycling and swimming for the next six weeks.

So, in conclusion, I don't recommend following the barefoot craze.  I will not be prescribing this for my clients.  Nothing beats a good pair of running shoes for running.

Train safe (do as I say, not as I do)!

Sugarland 30K

I surprised myself yesterday with my performance in the 30K in Sugarland, TX.  As reported earlier, I've felt it difficult to recover from running "barefoot".  This was the longest race for me since the NYC Marathon and I did not taper.  I set my goal at 2:28, which would be at my goal pace for the Houston Marathon. 

I started out WAY to fast, but yet it felt so easy.  I kept going thinking my Garmin maybe lost its signal, so I was waiting for it to catch up.  By the end of the second mile I realized averaging 7:15/mile was just too fast considering I still had over 16 miles to go.  I just couldn't seem to slow down, though.  After a show bathroom stop at about mile 3, I was able to at least settle into about a 7:30 pace through the next 8 miles.  Unfortunately the damage had been done (going out too fast) and I paid the price.  I tried to accelerate toward the end and by the effort I felt I was giving it, I sure thought I was.  Yet, the pace continued to worsen. 

Nonetheless, I ended up with 2:23, way ahead of my goal.  I wonder what I could have done if I executed my race better?

Train safe!