shoes

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My “Old” Feet

Yup, 5 days till my Half Marathon and my feet still hurt.

I haven’t talked about it because it’s too depressing. I try to ignore it in hopes it will go away.

The other day after the Chi Running workshop, when I complained that my feet hurt on the inside, the instructor asked me, “Do you have bunions?”

I said “Maybe, take a look.” and then she said “Yup, looks like you’ve got bunions forming.”

Oh no, I thought. I’m OLD. Only old people have bunions!!

She told me to stand and then she said that  to compensate for the bunions that I refuse to have, my stance can throw off my gait and lead to hip problems, knee problems, back problems.  I have them all.

According to the Internet, bunions are “painful swellings that usually develop on the inner side of the foot near the base of the first toe (hallux).” Often genetic (thanks, Mom!); usually found in women; thought also to be caused by high heels (Yes, I love high heels), or flat feet (but I have high arches).

 So, I have these disgusting bumps and they rub against my shoe.  That’s why my feet hurt!!

Solutions I have tried:

  • wearing flat shoes during the day (well, I’ve only done that recently- I think the damage is done)
  • wearing toe spacers
  • wearing bandaids on my “bunions”
  • ice after running
  • ibuprofen
  • new running shoes (my arches feel much better with these but not my “bunions”)
  • tying my shoes loosely and unlacing the top  rows also as shown  below:

 In doing some “Bunion” research, I  found out that  Paula Radcliffe suffered from bunions.  Hers were so painful that she had surgery and then won a Half Marathon 6 months later (after 9 weeks off for recovery, ouch!)

Radcliffe running with pain

Do I buy another pair of running shoes? They say the Asics Gel 3010 features a new bunion window:

ASICS Women's GEL 3020 - Dick's Sporting Goods

Then again, it could be worse— stress fracture?? (Am I a hypchrondriac???)

Pain or no pain, I’m running (or walking) my Half Marathon!! I’ll see about my foot (the right one hurts worse) after that!!!

Happy (Painfree) Running!

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Chi Running & New Sneakers

Tuesday after 2 days resting my aching feet, I went to FleetFeet with the Saucony ProGrid Omnis (that I used to wear all the time & wore during my 12 mi run) and my Mizuno WaveRider 12s (that I was saving for the half).

Verdict:

  • Sauconys are worn & not appropriate for running longer distances
  • Mizunos run smaller than Sauconys & are 1/2 size too small.

I tried on Mizuno Waverider 14s, another pair of Saucony (similar to Mizunos) and a pair of Brooks.  All felt great. It was hard to choose but my gut feeling was to buy the Mizunos. So I did.

I tried them on the treadmill for 3 miles yesterday – no pain.  (Well, it was painful but not on my feet.)

This morning, although it was 20 degrees (10 with the windchill), I layered up and took my sneaks on the road – 4 miles – felt great!! Woo Hoo!

Tonite I went back to FleetFeet for the workshop described below.  My tennis friend/runner, MaryPat came too..

FleetFeet sponsored this workshop:

Does a simple walk tire you? Are you afraid to run because of past injuries? Want to get moving but don’t know how? Attend this interactive seminar to learn how ChiWalking and ChiRunning techniques, based on the principles of Tai Chi, can help you run or walk with increased energy efficiency and fewer injuries. Discover how focusing on your posture and relaxing your limbs can give you a burst of energy, without that post-workout slump.

The cartoon below about sums it up:

It was an excellent workshop. The teacher was very hands on.  We got up and down and tried everything she taught.  She critiqued each of us individually.  She also looked at our feet and told us to email her for personal  exercises.

Basically it’s:  posture, lean, loose ankles.  It’s supposed to prevent injuries and make running seem effortless.  I’m not sure I can do it but I’m going to try tomorrow (if it doesn’t snow).

Happy (Chi) Running!

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Merry Christmas

I just got this card in the mail and I love it!!! Thanks Erica!

So far, I’ve kept my promise to run outside – 4 miles yesterday (not so good) and 3 miles today (better). It’s been cold & windy but a welcome relief from the gym’s treadmill.

I stumbled into Mizuno Wave Alchemy 9 running shoes yesterday while I was out Christmas shopping.  $100, reduced to $69 and then 1/2 prize.  Can’t beat that!  I usually wear Mizuno Wave Rider 12’s but they felt good on my run today.  The test will be Sunday when I will run 9-11 miles!

Happy Running!  Happy Holidays!

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3 Things Thursday

  1. Fall is here!  It was 40 degrees this morning…I had to look for my gloves and I wore them for most of my run.  I’m still wearing shorts, though…not giving in yet.
  2. A friend that I went to college with is coming to visit Oct 8-10.  That is the UAlbany Alumni weekend.  My other college friend said that we have to check out some of the events on campus.  (The 3 of us lived together for several years. We graduated 35 years ago!!!!!!!!) I said that I had a 5k race that day in Ballston Spa.  Of course, she said “You can’t do it!!”  Guess what, UAlbany is having a 5k that day…I registered for it! Now everyone is happy (except that I’m out $25 for the other race.)
  3. Maybe it’s the weather or maybe it’s my new running shoes but I’ve had TWO great morning runs in a row- 3 miles today and 3.5 miles yesterday. I love running before work.  If only it weren’t getting darker and colder…

Happy Running! Is it starting to feel like fall where you live?

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Partying & Running

Yes, they can both happen in the same weekend.

Boats by George, where we bought our boat, has an annual Customer Appreciation Party at the Lake George Club.  It was held Sat eve.  Two years ago, I went home after the party in order to run in a 5K the next Sunday.  This year, I decided to enjoy the event and not race. And I did…

 We went home on Sunday.  I hadn’t run since Wed. and I forced myself to do a long run.  That’s 5 miles for me.  The weather was cloudy and cool.  In fact, it started to rain halfway but stopped.  I wore my new Mizunos and I love them.  I focused on my breathing which took my mind off the fact that I was starved.  I ran most of it (walked intermittently) but felt good.

The weather is getting cooler – dark in the mornings, darker earlier at the end of each day…I may have to head to the treadmill, oh no!!

Happy Running!

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3 Things Thursday

  1. After reading AJH’s post, I ordered a  Gorillapod.  I can’t wait to use it.

  1. I am blog inspired again. After reading Endurance Isn’t Only Physical (Running is Hard & I am Slow) confessions, I ran yesterday even though I didn’t want to…it was hard and I was slow.
  2. I met my friend at the mall. She had to buy tennis sneakers.  She didn’t but I bought another paire of running sneakers that I don’t really need (I have an old Brooks pair, my favorite race Saucony, 2 Nike+ for training, Reebok treadmill pair and now…Mizuno Waverider 12).  I put them on and they felt GREAT!!!! They were on sale at DSW for $59 (normally $100).  I just read about them and found out that because I have a high arch, these are NEUTRAL which is perfect for me.  I always thought I needed stability for support…I can’t wait to run in them!!

Happy Running!