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Re: Achillies tear - need advice

zookeeperrunning — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:26:15 GMT

rocdoc,

I know exactly how you feel, and unfortunately I am unable to tell you what is going on or how to fix it!! For me, since getting back to running in August, I am still struggling with most of my runs! Now, I do have an occasional run where it feels wonderful, and I feel like I could go on and on. But mostly, I struggle just to get out the door, because I have such a hard time keeping myself going mentally once I start. My breathing is improving slowly, but I am still not where I was pre-injury. My miles are getting much better, currently at 6.5 miles, but for some reason, mentally, I am struggling. I try very hard to focus as much as possible on the music I am listening to, so I don't pay so much attention to how much farther I have to go. It has been more of a mental battle getting back into running then anything else. My breathing was horrible when I first started again this summer. It has definitely improved, but like I said, still not where it was before. My foot is doing better then I expected it to, though at times it does tire quite easily. But that I can deal with...I have been thinking that maybe I need to do more core strengthening to improve my breathing, which I hope will also improve my mental issues while running! I hope you find an answer to your question...I know how you feel. Sometimes I feel like such a jerk for the struggles I am now having, because I feel like I should be so grateful that at least I am now running again. Best of luck to you...Let's keep running and hopefully we can push through this barrier and find ourselves running happy like before!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!

Carey

P.S. I forgot to touch on the pace...My pace still sucks!! I am still running about 2 minutes slower then I was before, no matter how far I run.

Re: Running goals for 09?

zookeeperrunning — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:41:34 GMT

Urbster,

Well, my goals were not all met either. I ruptured my Plantar Fascia during a race in June, and was in a cast for the rest of the summer. So I missed 3 of my races I was registered for, but am back to running now, and like you, am enjoying it more!! It has been tough trying to get back to the miles I was at before my injury, but slowly I am getting there!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!

Carey

P.S. You didn't FAIL...you suffered an injury, and now are back to running again. That is not failure...:)

Re: Achillies tear - need advice

zookeeperrunning — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:08:29 GMT

rocdoc,

So glad to hear how ell you did for your 5 miler this past saturday. I was hoping it would go good for you. Good luck with your training for the half in december, and marathon in January. Yesterday was my first 5 mile run since June...it felt pretty good, though my foot was a little fatigued, but overall, good run! Are you going to be running for national world run day, which is also world charity day on november 8th? I registered, and will be dedicationg my run to my daughter's dear friend who passed away this september from a heart condition, he was only 19. I am raising money to donate to our children's hospital in memory of him.

KEEP ON RUNNING!
Carey

Re: Achillies tear - need advice

zookeeperrunning — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:20:56 GMT

rocdoc,

Congrats on finishing your first race back!! I have to tell ya, I feel better reading your post after your race. I too fell right around the 30 minutes and under for a 5k...And since I have been running again, I too am right at that 34 minute mark, and feel out of breath. In fact the last race I ran, I finished it at 34:11. So I feel a little better knowing you have the same issue to deal with, because I kept blaming myself thinking I was doing something else wrong! It seems to be taking longer to get my breathing back under control. Good luck with your 5 miler this weekend. I was watching sesame street last night with my 2 yr old, and they had a turtle and a rabbit racing...the moral of their story was to teach kids, that it isn't about who can be the fastest...but the fact that "slow and steady wins the race". Never thought I would still benefit from watching sesame street!! LOL!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!

Carey

Re: Achillies tear - need advice

zookeeperrunning — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:47:29 GMT

rocdoc,

There were approx 215 runners that showed up, and just under 200 that actually finished. I can't believe you were that bundled up for 38 degrees!! LOL!! I am from Pennsylvania, and in the surrounding areas they only have 5k's! I hate it, because I am more into the distance then the speed. I only do 5k's for experience and because they are the only races around.

Oh Pennsylvania has lot's of races of all sizes till the end of the year, just none even remotely close to me. It's not just the distance that plays against me, it's having 3 teenagerse that always have to be somewhere, and a toddler, and it's just me, so I have a lot of juggling, and not a whole lot of time to be out driving around for races.

Oh I would definitely drive farther for 10k's and up, for sure! I have yet to come across a 10k that is not a trail race... There are a bunch of half's coming up that I wouldn't mind driving the distance to, but I am obviously not up to those miles yet. So the rest of this year will strictly be training for me...So you Southerner's go on and enjoy your warm weather running... We do have an advantage against you...we get used to runnning in all kinds of weather!!!

Can't wait to hear about your race this saturday!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!

Carey

Re: Achillies tear - need advice

zookeeperrunning — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:41:11 GMT

rocdoc,

hope this message turns out ok...these damn new changese they made have my screen on here a complete mess, everything is over lapping and you can't read anything that is at the top of the screen...Anyway, SOOOO glad to hear about your progress!!! Doesn't it feel so good to run on asphlat again??!! The oct.2nd race was my worst so far...it was pouring rain, cold, and dark. I was soaked before the race even began, and was a little concerned about slipping and falling. My foot wasn't feeling real great. I was having some stretching on the bottom of it a little during about the half way mark, but managed to change my form a little and stop the stretching feeling. My breathing was a bit off as well...overall was just an off day for me. But I know that this happens to everyone...some runs are good, and some not so good. This one for me was not so good. But I ran it, and I finished. So for that I am happy. Could not wait to get out of my soaked clothes...felt like I was carrying an extra 10lbs around!! Maybe that played a part...No more in my immediate area till next year, which I am sad about. I won't drive more then 30-40 miles for a 5k. But am looking forward to training and getting my body back to the running shape I was pre-injury, so now that is my main focus until the new year. I can not wait to hear how you do this weekend at your first race back!!! It is a great feeling, after being side lined so long!! Good luck, and have fun!!

And quit rubbing in how warm it is where you live...LOL!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!!

Carey

Re: Achillies tear - need advice

zookeeperrunning — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:27:04 GMT

rocdoc,

Glad to hear the inserts have helped! Well, while I did enjoy the trail race, and can see how others enjoy trail running, it was definitely not a good idea for me with my foot. It did give me problems throughout the course, infact, I had to stop 2 separate times and walk for a little. And at one point on the trail my foot went off to the outside pretty hard when it landed in an uneven spot. So for me, I would say, no more trails! Definitely stick to strictly road running. I have run a few times on my treadmill, but even find that to give my foot a little bit of trouble. I have such a completely different form when running on the treadmill and my feet land different and I feel a lot of stretching on the bottom of my foot. So I try to stay away from my treadmill unless I absolutely have to use it. I just feel so much more comfortable out on the asphalt. I too would probably benefit from an insert to help support my arch a little more, and should probably invest in a new pair of shoes as well. I have another race oct 2, it's a night race, and I am really looking forward to it. Still looking at these races as training runs. Think it will be a while till I can actually focus more on speed during a race. But, hey, at least we are both back running!!! Good luck with your upcomming races and let us know how you make out!!!

KEEP ON RUNNING,

Carey

Re: Achillies tear - need advice

zookeeperrunning — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:18:09 GMT

rocdoc,

Glad to hear you are getting back into running. I am still having issues every so often when I run. I had that trail race 2 weeks ago, and had to take it easy for a week and a half after the race...that's how long it took for the swelling to go down from running the race. My foot seems to be ok as long as I stick to low miles and don't run too often each week. It is frustrating because I desperately want to get back up to the miles I was at before injury, but it is taking very long. I feel like I am literally starting all over again. It sounds weird that you are having pain in your heel with swelling and that isn't where your tear was. But it is strange for me also, because my injury was on the bottom of my foot, and when I do too much, my foot swells up right under my ankel on the inside of my foot, not where I injured it...Doesn't make sense to me, so I know where you are coming from. Guess it is just going to take us both a bit of time before we have these injuries completely behind us...Good luck with your running, and I hope you continue to move forward!! Are you still planning on doing your race in October? I thought I remember you saying you had one in either Oct or Nov...

Take care!

Carey

Re: Achillies tear - need advice

zookeeperrunning — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:57:59 GMT

rocdoc,

I know your questions is for dbbolt...but just wanted to let you know that when I was told I could run again both my Ortho Dr. and Therapist said to only run on a track (not even treadmill) and no asphalt or hills for a while. I also wanted to say I am sorry for the extra 4-6 weeks your Dr has suggested before you start running. That is a deffinite bummer. Hopefully dbbolt will be able to help you out with the quesiotn you have, and if you decide to wait the extra 4 weeks...just keep in mind how much stronger your tendon will be!! Keep your head up...:)

Carey

Re: Achillies tear - need advice

zookeeperrunning — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:37:14 GMT

rocdoc,

Wow, yeah my daughter is a HUGE Steelers fan...I guess there are different degrees to the injury. And ya know considering the figures he's making to play, they probably don't allow it to be more then something MINOR, even if it is bigger. We'll have to see how the season plays out for him. Hopefully we don't see him being carried off the field during a game because of it tearing further!!

I have to say I have been walking a little more then I should have been. The running does not irritate my foot like fast walking does. I guess because while walking I am strecthing my foot out a little more and walking more on the entire foot. Which is a little different when I run, since my entire foot does not land on the ground during running...if that makes any sense. So last night I went to my neighbors house and told him I had to take at least the next few days off from walking with him. My foot has been a little swollen and yesterday it hurt just to walk around my house. We had been walking practically every night between 2-4 miles, and he is extremely fast. I could probably keep up better with him if I were running next to him!!

Anyway, I really want to get my 10k in the first weekend in Sept, so I am gonna hold off on walking with him maybe even until after the race, and just focus on getting a few runs in each week until the race. I really didn't think walking would have such an effect. But looking back now I guess it was just a little too much walking too soon!! Live and learn, right?

Hope your foot is continuing to heal and strengthen...I understand your feelings with your neighbors off and running races. But I guess right now it's best to just cheer them on and be their support. Even though it has to be killing you on the inside!! You will be stronger for it...and just wait for that first race you run after you are fully recovered. It will be awesome, and I can't wait to hear all about it!!

Keep up your inner strength...

Carey