A week ago I ran my 21 mile dress rehearsal along the Boston Marathon course. I ran it in a pace that would lead me to my goal of a sub four hour marathon. For most of the run I felt great. It was the first long run where I didn't listen to an IPod. I focused on my breathing and my steps. I let the occasional song sneak into my thoughts and then fought to change the mental channel. I visualized finishing the Chicago Marathon with a new PR.
The next day my foot was sore and past thoughts of my plantar faciitis crept into my psyche. I took the week off from running and stuck to my strength training classes. Then on Friday I decided to attempt a 5k, still on a sore foot. Half way through the run I experienced a sharp pain that I ran through until the end, logging a 5k in just under 25 minutes. It's been 3 days since I ran. I've had moments where I could barely walk, and other moments where I didn't feel a thing. I have less than 3 weeks to recover.
The last time my plantar flared up it took almost 4 months to heal, but 4 months is not an option. I have 20 days, and I will run. I've worked too hard over the last 4 months not to race, but my focus will shift from a sub 4 to finishing my 7th marathon. I'm mentally trying to prepare for 26 miles of pain. I know I can do it, but my fear is what may come as a result. Last time my body tried to compensate for the foot pain I developed knee problems and landed in physical therapy for an entire training season. It's hard to run through the pain without altering the stride. And for those of you that have never experienced plantar faciitis I can describe it in two ways. Sometimes it feels like there's a golf ball stuck under the skin, right at the arch. Other times the skin of the arch feels so tight that it feels like it's going to tear. Either way, it's not pleasant.
I'm not writing this blog as a "poor me". I'm writing this blog to admit that this is my own fault. I dish out advise and words of encouragement all the time. I tell people to make sure they don't over train and preach about the importance of using the foam roller. I am a hypocrite and I have nobody to blame but myself. I didn't stay consistent with my PT exercises. I got lazy with my foam rolling. I didn't break in my new shoes early enough. Here's me telling all of you - stick to your plan!
Over the next 3 weeks I will not run. My plan is to hit the elliptical and keep up the cardio. My plan is to be dedicated to a healthy diet and not gain unnecessary weight. My plan is ice 3 times a day and roll my hamstrings and calves every night. My plan is stay positive and recognize that finishing a marathon in any time is something to be proud of. Ultimately my plan is to be healed and finish the Chicago Marathon in 3:55.
Until then I'll live vicariously through my twitter feed and all the relaxing, record breaking runs I've been reading about. Run on!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
21 mile dress rehearsal - seeking opinions on diet/routine/music
This past January I planned on running 3 marathons in a 45 day period. I didn't have a time goal for any of the races, my only plan was to finish them and enjoy them. If it hadn't been for the tragic events of April 15, 2013 I would have accomplished that goal. I have always wanted to finish a marathon in under 4 hours, but I knew I needed to focus on endurance and preserving my body for the beating it would take between March 17 and April 28th, and so I decided I would focus on a sub four hour goal in the fall of 2013. It's fall 2013.
In less than 5 weeks I'll be in Chicago getting ready to take on one of the biggest marathons in the world. All summer I had planned on focusing on speed and crushing my sub four hour goal, but somewhere a long the way time got away from me and my focus shifted from a personal PR to just trying to inspire and and encourage others to join in on my running obsession.
In July I got to go for a run with Brad and Chris from 3 Doors Down, and I used the opportunity to encourage them to train for an endurance vent. Since that run Chris has signed up to run his first half (Nashville) in November. I have also been coaching a long a close friend's brother, Willy, who is planning on running the Las Vegas full in mid November. And, although I can't take much credit for this, I've watched my sister struggle to run 7 miles to crushing 13! My brother has even signed up for his first half (again, Vegas). I love being a part of something so incredible for all of these people, even if it doesn't mean as much to them as it does to me. On my 32nd birthday I posted a message on facebook and twitter to ask my friends to take on a new challenge with me, the #1milechallenge. The terms of the challenge were to run, walk, bike, etc. 1 mile a day for an entire year! There were lots that showed interest and a few that have continued it almost a month in.
Small things like this give me a purpose, beyond that of being a father and husband. It gives me a way to leave a positive imprint on the lives of others. My hope is that years from now my daughter and future son (yes, Katie and I are expecting our 2nd child on Jan 27th, and it's a boy!) will remember this and grow up wanting to do the same. It gives me enjoyment to see that I can actually make a difference, but as always it's never enough for me.
As I sit here, just over a month away from the starting line of the Chicago Marathon, I have a lot of anxiety. Did I blow my chance at a person goal? Is the 4 hour goal important? Should I just go out and have fun? I WANT this! But I continue to fail myself. Here's where I'm hoping for some help, again. I'm always motivated to run. I could go run 13 miles right now if asked, but what I can't stay on track with is my diet or any of the exercises/cross training I need to supplement my running. I can easily tell others to roll and ice, but I fail to be consistent myself. I've gone back and forth about my diet. Do I cut out alcohol? Do I try the Palieo diet? Cut out red meat? I recently bought a nutribullet and started drinking smoothies each morning (50% spinach 50% frozen fruit w/chia and flax seeds), but I'm not sure I'm properly cutting out other calories or meals. I also tried TFocus 25 from Insanity. It was great for the week I tried it, but then it got in the way of my training runs. Anyone have any suggestions on how to fit in both without injury?
If anyone that reads this has attempted a training program with both running and weight/body training I'm open to any and all suggestions. I'm also up for any feedback you have on dieting. I'm fine with my weight, I'd just like to have more lean mass.
Back to Chicago - I have my 21 mile training run this coming Sunday. It'll be a dress rehearsal of sorts for me. I'll be running along some of the Boston Marathon course, but will be 5 miles shy of the finish (an area I don't plan on running through until I finish Boston 2014). The training run is much hillier than Chicago, which is relatively flat, so if I'm happy with my time on Sunday I should be in good shape for the marathon. My only fear is that without hills in Chicago I won't get the breaks that down hills offer. Sounds ridiculous, right? I think I'm also going to try running without an IPod. I have a feeling that some of the songs I listen to have too much control over the pace I run. If anyone has thoughts on this feel free to share! And if you think it's a bad idea what are your thoughts on listening to only a few songs with a good tempo for the entire race?
Looking for feedback, so please don't hesitate to give opinions!
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The official fundraising for my 2014 season is underway. I continue to run as a member of Tedy's Team - raising funds and awareness to fight stroke. I run in honor of my father, my uncle, and so many of my family and friends that have been impacted. This year I'll run the Falmouth Road Race (completed August 11, 2013), Chicago Marathon, Las Vegas Marathon, Boston Marathon and Nashville Half Marathon. Please take a moment to visit my site, and while there feel free to make a donation to a great cause:
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