To Toe Run or Not Toe Run? That is the question...
I've heard two schools of thought on this subject. Endurance athletes should NOT toe run - kills the calves and the shins. Critical to change form. On the other hand, endurance athletes should NOT change their form - get fitted for correct shoe with lots of cushion in the ball of the foot. Change running style, you run the risk of destroying knees, IT band, ankles. What does the research say?
Ice, Rest, Boot, Run....
Hmmm. Where to start. What trainings have I missed? Six weeks ago was my last long run (16 miles). I missed the 18 mile run, then the 20 mile run, 4 track trainings, 5 short runs (4-6 miles). The 18 mile run was along the coast in Santa Cruz, California, and the 20 mile run was along the coast of Monterey on a gorgeous sunny morning (that's the run in the pic above). I, however, did work an aid-station on the 20 mile run and had a fun time hanging with a fellow gimp, her husband, as well as the coach's daughter who brought music to our ocean-view aid-station.Why did I miss the trainings? An xray and MRI failed to explain the 5 weeks of shin pain. Two of those weeks were spent in a boot which ultimately jacked up the ankle and knee. I, therefore,
gave the boot, the boot. I requested a bone scan - all of these screenings took time to get approved by insurance - OH, then the delay in getting the appointments. Since the screenings showed no bone issues, I ditched the system and took my shin to Coach Kris at Sports Medicine Institute (SMI) in Palo Alto. "Hey Janine, did you know your CALF is really tight?" Hmm, guess I didn't.
Any Undisclosed information? Get ready to gasp...I'm a toe runner. Prancer, Coach Tim calls me. Toe runner is good if you're a sprinter, but not for endurance runners. My calf tightened to maximum capacity leading to shin issues. At least, this is my diagnosis based on conversations with a running shoe guy, Coach Kris who is also a sports massage therapist, and several experienced marathoners.
Now What? Stationary bike, elliptical, and twice aqua-jogging. Aqua jogging is now on the schedule for 2X/week. I'm easing back into the game and did a 3K run/walk today. I concentrated on heal, ball, toe and stuck with it. Felt shin a little at mile 2.5, no shin after the run, big time shin 8 hours after run. Ice, elevate, ibuprofen.
NAPA? No Napa Marathon - I'll be there to support my Team in Training team mates, the heroes who have raised over $100K in 4 months to fight blood cancers. I hope to run alongside my peeps when they need the support the most. I hope to run the Mermaid Half Marathon on March 22 - the way I feel today, I don't know if that will be possible. I need to rest, rehab, and THEN train for the next one. Portland? Portland sounds good.
Postscript: While hanging out at the waterstop in Monterey, a guy with a guitar case strapped around his back asked several injured runners, "What is best in life?" Read Gabby's Blog to find the answer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)