Category Archives: chi running

He trips, he falls

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I have been feeling a little wobbly these last couple of days. I guess it is a good thing I haven’t been running. I forgot to set my alarm Tuesday and I got up too late to run. I was bummed at first, but then decided I could use the rest. Yesterday, I was waiting for Ruthann to get back from work in teh afternoon. I got all dressed, stretched out, then I decided it was a little too warm to go. This was a good thing as, like I said, I have been feeling a little wobbly (I also forgot my dylantin the other night which I think contributed to the wobblyness.)

So I decided to walk to the running store as I wanted to get some cushioning inserts for my old shoes. As I was walking down the street and getting ready to turn into the park, I watched a couple of kids on bikes on the path I was heading into. I turned on the path and next thing I knew I was tripping and going down. I was fine, scraped my knee and hands, and popped back up a little embarrassed to fall in front of the kids. But they just ignored me (not sure if I were glad or irritated that they didn’t even ask me if I were ok…) My first thoughts were my shoes and the slippery socks I was wearing. They are really thin and make my feet lide in my shoes. I had long decided to only wear them inside with no shoes but for some reason I had them on. My second thought was to an article I had just read in our local paper about a woman who has ms who basically denied to herself and others around her that she had ms, taking the path of avoidance. She was a trial lawyer and firmly believed thgat she was too great and too self important to have ms. I was completely irritated with her and the stry, I wish I had never read it (though I wish her the best of luck, she has now come out that she has ms.) Her “inspirational” was not working for me. Then again, I do think it played a part in me both telling this story and realizing that I may have fallen due to my ms. Then again I may have just tripped, but I can usually catch myself.

So I am behind on my miles for the week, I need to make up 13 this weekend. My ankle is a little sore, but I may try a long run anyway if it is able to bounce back. I have been wanting to try a half-marathon distance for awhile now, I think I am fully prepared physically to do it comfortably (well. with the acception of my ankle that is.) We’ll see. I decided not to run today as I have a meeting I need to go to this afternoon, and I don’t want to push my wobblyness (if it is still around today, so far I feel ok.) I also have a lot of walking to do today, which should be a good break.

I did get some cushioning inserts at the running store that I am anxious to try out. I had to get a larer size and then trim them down, but I am sure that will be fine. The brand I got is Sorbothane UltraSole, I’ll give a full report as I test them out. I also picked up some gels that I have never tried before; one by Clif and another by powerbar. Its been awhile since I have done the gel thing while running long distances, but I always liked the carb boost. They are a little messy and as careful as I try to be I always seem to get it all over my hands, sticky mess. Further revies coming, hopefully this weekend.

Back to my old shoes

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Today I decided to go back to my old motion control shoes I wore before I went to the nuetral ones with the insert. I wore the Aisics Gel Kayano model for a number of years, shelling out the big bucks for them as I really liked them. The last couple of times I bought them I had discovered the online bargain that is last years models, so my cost hit wasn’t too great. I harp on this as I feel like nobody should buy the same running shoe for full retail prices two times in a row, just search for your model and find the deals. So back to running with the old shoes. One thing I had forgotten about these that I didn’t like was how poor the traction on the front of the shoe when they get wet. I might as well be ice skating. I can’t believe I put up with that in Portland for so long. The other issue I had with them (and really all shoes in general) is that I experienced some pain in the ball of my feet. These seem to be especially bad. Of course it could have to do with getting rid of a corn on the ball of my one foot (gross!) I also remembered why I liked these so well. I run really smoothly with them and feel like I have a giddy-up in my step. I think I will run on them for a week or so and see how it goes.

One thing I was supprised about was the amount of miles I had left on them. I had really only run around 200 miles with them. I had put 600+ (probably too much) on a previous pair of them. Which brings me to a point I wanted to make, keeping a running journal. Not only can you track your progress when training, but you can also keep track of how many miles you put on your shoes so you have a better idea of when to replace them. There are a bunch of free ones available online. Actual paper journals are cool too, and can become much more of a keepsake, but the electronic journals can do all the math for you. There are some you can use online, or ones that you can download onto your computer. I use the Runners Log and track my routes, shoes, style of run, how I felt, weather, miles, time and now I am making notes on my spells (of which I have had none for over a month!) The other benefit it is it sort of fun in an OCD kind of way, I like putting my miles down and seeing the weekly totals. When I trained for the Portland Marathon logged over 1000 miles total in a year.

Back to my old shoes

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Today I decided to go back to my old motion control shoes I wore before I went to the nuetral ones with the insert. I wore the Aisics Gel Kayano model for a number of years, shelling out the big bucks for them as I really liked them. The last couple of times I bought them I had discovered the online bargain that is last years models, so my cost hit wasn’t too great. I harp on this as I feel like nobody should buy the same running shoe for full retail prices two times in a row, just search for your model and find the deals. So back to running with the old shoes. One thing I had forgotten about these that I didn’t like was how poor the traction on the front of the shoe when they get wet. I might as well be ice skating. I can’t believe I put up with that in Portland for so long. The other issue I had with them (and really all shoes in general) is that I experienced some pain in the ball of my feet. These seem to be especially bad. Of course it could have to do with getting rid of a corn on the ball of my one foot (gross!) I also remembered why I liked these so well. I run really smoothly with them and feel like I have a giddy-up in my step. I think I will run on them for a week or so and see how it goes.

One thing I was supprised about was the amount of miles I had left on them. I had really only run around 200 miles with them. I had put 600+ (probably too much) on a previous pair of them. Which brings me to a point I wanted to make, keeping a running journal. Not only can you track your progress when training, but you can also keep track of how many miles you put on your shoes so you have a better idea of when to replace them. There are a bunch of free ones available online. Actual paper journals are cool too, and can become much more of a keepsake, but the electronic journals can do all the math for you. There are some you can use online, or ones that you can download onto your computer. I use the Runners Log and track my routes, shoes, style of run, how I felt, weather, miles, time and now I am making notes on my spells (of which I have had none for over a month!) The other benefit it is it sort of fun in an OCD kind of way, I like putting my miles down and seeing the weekly totals. When I trained for the Portland Marathon logged over 1000 miles total in a year.

9 running, 5 walking and iceburg lettuce

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Saturday I finished my week with a nine mile run and a five mile walk after. I was pooped and my feet are killing me. My run was pretty slow, I definitely didn’t push it. I went for the walk with my running partner who broke her collar bone last week, no running for her for awhile. The walk after was actually pretty tough, I think next week I’ll do it again with less of a run (maybe like 5 miles).

So aching feet. This is something I have been putting up with for the last two years ever since I ran the Portland Marathon. I originally (and probably correctly for a major portion) attributed it to the 26.3 and the training leading up to it. I talked to a podiatrist (when I got my inserts) and his thoughts were that it had to do with my motion control shoes. These have a more solid outer portion of shoe base which is to force your foot to drop a bit on the inner portion of your foot during foot strike. His theory (that he had seen before) was that this more firm surface was irritating a nerve in the foot and causing the pain and the numbness (sound familiar fellow mser?) Well without the benefit of an MRI, he made the best judgment he could and had me start wearing neutral shoes and inserts specially designed for my foot. The discomfort seemed to abate a little, but I think the ms was playing its part in the issue and no insert was going to deal with its symptoms.

So, what do I do now? In an effort to lessen the environmental impactful of my receiving of rebif by post, I have kep the ice packs that initially ship the medicine in (well some of them anyway). So I keep these frozen and use them to ice my injections as well as my feet (and various other areas.) I place a towel on the floor and one of the ice packs on top of that. I then alternate (with socks) placing my foot on the ice, first left then right. Initially I used two, but I could only stand to have my feet iced for so long. I found that one ice pack and alternating feet was the best way to go. This seems to help quite a bit and I am going to continue to do this.

Cooling techniques from the past. I heard an interview with an old baseball player talking about the heat and playing baseball in the 40s. Of course they did not have any air conditionin gback then, so they had to get creative. He said (I wish I remembered his name) they would put pieces of aluminum foil in their shoes to reflect the heat (not sure that this could actually work…) They would also have oak buckets of ice water in the dugout that they would stand around in and soak their feet. By far my favorite method was that they would take heads of cold iceburg lettuce, cut them in half and wear them in their caps. Now that is something I’ll have to try!

9 running, 5 walking and iceburg lettuce

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Saturday I finished my week with a nine mile run and a five mile walk after. I was pooped and my feet are killing me. My run was pretty slow, I definitely didn’t push it. I went for the walk with my running partner who broke her collar bone last week, no running for her for awhile. The walk after was actually pretty tough, I think next week I’ll do it again with less of a run (maybe like 5 miles).

So aching feet. This is something I have been putting up with for the last two years ever since I ran the Portland Marathon. I originally (and probably correctly for a major portion) attributed it to the 26.3 and the training leading up to it. I talked to a podiatrist (when I got my inserts) and his thoughts were that it had to do with my motion control shoes. These have a more solid outer portion of shoe base which is to force your foot to drop a bit on the inner portion of your foot during foot strike. His theory (that he had seen before) was that this more firm surface was irritating a nerve in the foot and causing the pain and the numbness (sound familiar fellow mser?) Well without the benefit of an MRI, he made the best judgment he could and had me start wearing neutral shoes and inserts specially designed for my foot. The discomfort seemed to abate a little, but I think the ms was playing its part in the issue and no insert was going to deal with its symptoms.

So, what do I do now? In an effort to lessen the environmental impactful of my receiving of rebif by post, I have kep the ice packs that initially ship the medicine in (well some of them anyway). So I keep these frozen and use them to ice my injections as well as my feet (and various other areas.) I place a towel on the floor and one of the ice packs on top of that. I then alternate (with socks) placing my foot on the ice, first left then right. Initially I used two, but I could only stand to have my feet iced for so long. I found that one ice pack and alternating feet was the best way to go. This seems to help quite a bit and I am going to continue to do this.

Cooling techniques from the past. I heard an interview with an old baseball player talking about the heat and playing baseball in the 40s. Of course they did not have any air conditionin gback then, so they had to get creative. He said (I wish I remembered his name) they would put pieces of aluminum foil in their shoes to reflect the heat (not sure that this could actually work…) They would also have oak buckets of ice water in the dugout that they would stand around in and soak their feet. By far my favorite method was that they would take heads of cold iceburg lettuce, cut them in half and wear them in their caps. Now that is something I’ll have to try!

And down the side of the canyon I went…

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I had a great run today with one exception. As I was heading down the path on the North Canyon, I came upon a turn that was obscured by foliage. As I continued down the narrow path, the sun blinded my vision into a white blur. As I neared the turn, all of a sudden their was another runner coming right at me. It was a guy I have seen several times and said hello to. I quickly tried to side-step out of the way, but with the narrow path and eight miles of running blurring my senses, I found myself stepping into air and rolling down the canyon wall (sounds a lot scarier than it is!) My friend turned in terror and came down the canyon face to pull me up. I took his hand and made it back upright. I told him I was fine, we smiled and headed off in our seperate directions. I look forward to seeing him again on teh trail so I can push him off!

Today I listened to sports radio as I ran and they talked about the folks who have been booted out of the Olympics for doping. It got me thinking about rebif and how I usually feel more energized on my runs the day after I inject. Would it be considered doping? I guess I don’t have anything to worry about, as my general slowness make sup for any benefit I would attain. But I wonder about an ms Olympic athlete?

And down the side of the canyon I went…

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I had a great run today with one exception. As I was heading down the path on the North Canyon, I came upon a turn that was obscured by foliage. As I continued down the narrow path, the sun blinded my vision into a white blur. As I neared the turn, all of a sudden their was another runner coming right at me. It was a guy I have seen several times and said hello to. I quickly tried to side-step out of the way, but with the narrow path and eight miles of running blurring my senses, I found myself stepping into air and rolling down the canyon wall (sounds a lot scarier than it is!) My friend turned in terror and came down the canyon face to pull me up. I took his hand and made it back upright. I told him I was fine, we smiled and headed off in our seperate directions. I look forward to seeing him again on teh trail so I can push him off!

Today I listened to sports radio as I ran and they talked about the folks who have been booted out of the Olympics for doping. It got me thinking about rebif and how I usually feel more energized on my runs the day after I inject. Would it be considered doping? I guess I don’t have anything to worry about, as my general slowness make sup for any benefit I would attain. But I wonder about an ms Olympic athlete?

Fartlek, excuse me

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Today I went out for my usual run. I have been thinking a lot about heading to the track and doing some speedwork. Well I haven’t managed to do that for a variety of reasons; no shade, crowded in the morning, my running routine, etc. I have been reading Bowerman and the Men of Oregon about Bill Bowerman coach of University of Oregon and Nike co-founder. Very interesting book and full of stories about his athletes and coaching style. He reminded me about the ease of doing fartleks for speedwork. Fartlek is Swedish for “speed play” and essentially amounts to start running faster and after a little bit, slow down to normal or slower pace, then repeat. One thing I like to do is pick a spot in the distance, be it a tree, sign or car and run fast to it. Part of my routine run takes me along a thin greenway that goes for a mile or so. Its broken up by streets that cross it and makes for a great fartlek route. Run for a block, slow down for a block. As with all speed work their are a lot of specific workouts you can do taking you up to 5K speed and then slowing down to certain percentages of marathon pace or walk. To simplify it all comes down to speed up and then slow down. I try to feel it out and pick up my pace to where I am moving fast (say 25% less than a sprint) and then trotting along at a slow pace to cool down. I like to get up to a 2-2 (steps in, 2 steps out) breathing pace, then back down to a 3-2 (my normal 3 in , 2 out). I forgot about what a great workout it makes. I did about 2 miles of fartlek and I was pooped. I definitely felt it.

Fartlek, excuse me

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Today I went out for my usual run. I have been thinking a lot about heading to the track and doing some speedwork. Well I haven’t managed to do that for a variety of reasons; no shade, crowded in the morning, my running routine, etc. I have been reading Bowerman and the Men of Oregon about Bill Bowerman coach of University of Oregon and Nike co-founder. Very interesting book and full of stories about his athletes and coaching style. He reminded me about the ease of doing fartleks for speedwork. Fartlek is Swedish for “speed play” and essentially amounts to start running faster and after a little bit, slow down to normal or slower pace, then repeat. One thing I like to do is pick a spot in the distance, be it a tree, sign or car and run fast to it. Part of my routine run takes me along a thin greenway that goes for a mile or so. Its broken up by streets that cross it and makes for a great fartlek route. Run for a block, slow down for a block. As with all speed work their are a lot of specific workouts you can do taking you up to 5K speed and then slowing down to certain percentages of marathon pace or walk. To simplify it all comes down to speed up and then slow down. I try to feel it out and pick up my pace to where I am moving fast (say 25% less than a sprint) and then trotting along at a slow pace to cool down. I like to get up to a 2-2 (steps in, 2 steps out) breathing pace, then back down to a 3-2 (my normal 3 in , 2 out). I forgot about what a great workout it makes. I did about 2 miles of fartlek and I was pooped. I definitely felt it.

Slept in yesterday, got up today

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I managed to get out of bed this morning early enough to get a good run in. It was touch an goi for awhile. I woke earlier than my alarm and thought I had forgotten to set it, but I had a hard time bringing myself awake enough to look. I went back and forth thinking “Oh I slept it, too late to run” and “maybe I am early and the alarm hasn’t gone off yet”. Well the alarm finally ruined my internal argument and let me know that not only had I not slept in, but I can still get up and go running. It was tough to say yippee, but I did anyway.

I really focused on my footstrike today trying to land more on the heel rather than the ball of my foot. This focus led me to focusing on visualizing cushioning my joints. The I thought, what the heck, lets think a bit more about my breathing too. Pretty soon I was totally wrapped up in my run and trying to stay focused which actually worked well. My feet still hurt a little, I am thinking I might drop by my ortho guy and ask him if another set of cushioning inserts would work with my current orthopedic inserts. I am a bit worried about stacking them up, but I think it will be ok.

I made a mistake the other day in letting my flip flops get covered in sand. I ground it in to the FF strap and made it like sandpaper which wreaked havoc on the tops of my feet. I am now one big band aid.