Big Sur Training Week 8 of 20

I guess I have to change the name of the blog because I bought a pair of non-minimalist running shoes.  I've been in physical therapy the past few weeks because of posterior tibial tendonitis after the week I ran all my miles under 9:00 min/mile.  I had a gait analysis done and to my horror, I was still heel striking- 3 years into barefoot/minimalist running.  I was shocked and upset.  I have some other issues-overpronation, hyperdorsiflexion, asymmetry in several areas.... I'm doing strength training to improve where I'm weak. But the wear on my minimalist shoes show that I'm heel-striking even when it feels to me like I'm landing mid-foot.  I still am pretty sure I don't heel-strike while actually barefoot because I doubt I would have been able to run 14 miles barefoot while heel-striking and not have some sort of insanely bruised heel.  After I got over the inital shock, what concerned me more when viewing my gait videos was the collapsing in of my right ankle.  That's where I've been feeling consistent pain and on my last 12 mile long run I could really feel my form falling apart and being unable to prevent it from collapsing in.  If both ankles were doing it to the same degree I would be less worried about it but my right is doing it significantly more than my left.  So, after much thought I'm trying FOR THE FIRST TIME in my running career, some more "traditional" shoes.  I'm not sure if my body is just not cut out for barefoot/minimalist running or if my goals just don't coincide with it at this point.  I am super nervous to switch over to a different type of shoe- who knows if I will be trading my current injuries for new ones.  Only time will tell.  I definitely think the Bikilas aren't the shoe for me for marathon distances.  I'm only interested in running as many pain-free miles as possible right now.

Anyway,  I got some Saucony Kinvaras and am going to be slowly switching over to them for the marathon.  I tried on several low-heel drop shoes at a local running store and the Kinvaras feel pretty comfortable, though it is odd to run on these pillows of comfort.  I only wore it for my 5 miler Saturday.... no real difference in speed, which is good.  If I was suddenly running 1 minute per mile faster I would be more worried about injury.

Miles this week:

1/28: 4 miles
1/29: 5 mile trail run
1/30: 6 miles
2/1: 5 miles
2/2: 7 miles

Total: 27 miles

Big Sur Training Week 7 of 20

1/21- 3 miles (barefoot)
1/22- 3 miles (barefoot)
1/23- 5 miles (VFF)
1/25- 3 miles (VFF)
1/26- 12 miles (VFF)

Total: 26 miles

I went for a couple of barefoot runs this week, as my achilles issues seem to disappear when I take the shoes off.  I'm still doing most of my training in VFFs and will probably do the marathon in them as I don't have time to build my plantar skin back up to do it bare.  I'm also hoping the exercises my PT gave me will help with any issues I'm getting from the switch to VFFs.

Big Sur Marathon Training Week 6 of 20

Nearly back to where I need to be.  If I hadn't been derailed by the flu Friday.  I probably should not have even run today as I have had horrible body aches and a fever.

1/13/14: 6 miles
1/15/14: 3 miles
1/16/14: 4 miles
1/19/14: 8 miles

Total: 21 miles

Big Sur Marathon Training Week 5 of 20

Last week was still light on the mileage due to my posterior tibia tendonitis but I think I rested the perfect amount and was able to go for a very enjoyable 6 mile trail run today. I've been resting, ice, compression, elevating, stretching, etc... and will try to really run my easy runs "easy" from now on. I have a PT appointment Thursday and hopefully they can tell me what else I can do to prevent injury while I build mileage.

Week 5 of 20:

1/7/14: 3 miles @ 9:04 min/mi pace
1/9/14: 4 miles @ 9:45 min/mi pace
1/11/14: 3 miles @ 10:09 min/mi pace

Total: 10 miles

Big Sur Marathon Training Week 4

I probably ran too fast last week for my ankles because they feel horrible this week. I have an appointment with an ortho and PT clinic and have had to severely reduce my mileage.  I think its several things but mainly posterior tibial tendonitis.

Two runs- 4 miles, followed by lots of pain and a few days off and 3 "ok" miles today in compression socks.

Big Sur Marathon Training Week 3 of 20

Still in Texas. Still running. Will be back in the Bay for the New Year.

Week 3 of 20

12/24- 3.54 miles (supposed to be 4, MapMyRun GPS went all crazy in the beginning of the run) @ 8:40 pace
12/25- 5 miles @ 8:52 pace
12/26- 3 miles @ 8:39 pace
12/28- 3 miles splits at 10:47/11:20/8:40 because I was dragging my mother-in-law's Great Pyrenees for the first two miles before I dropped him back off for the final mile.
12/29- 8 miles @ 8:54 pace

Total miles: 22.5 miles

Big Sur Marathon Training Week 2 of 20

Late on the update! I'm visiting family deep in the heart of Texas and haven't had a chance to post last week's training (if anyone is out there reading with bated breath).  I ended up skipping my speed work day because I was still dealing with my bronchitis-type cough and went to the doctor for some Symbicort and cough medicine.  I probably could have run that day but my daughter was having a hard time in dance class (when I usually do my speed work) so I wasn't able to get away to run. ANYWAY, excuses, excuses right?  I'm on the right track this week and hope to actually do 100% of my planned runs.

Week 2 of 20

12/18- 5 miles @ 9:17
12/19- 3 miles @ 8:42
12/21- 3 miles @ 8:43
12/22- 7 miles @ 9:15

Total: 18 miles

Felt good.  Definitely getting better about getting out there (with the exception of 12/17) regardless of what else is going on in my life.  12/22 I flew out to Texas but still managed to get 7 miles in even though I really didn't feel like it.  I've been running exclusively in Vibram Bikilas and they have been fine... although I am having some heel issues that I'm hoping is not plantar fasciitis. I've been trying to be conscious of shortening my stride and that seems to help.  I also seem to be getting moderately faster- it's hard to slow down to what I think my training pace should be because my natural comfortable pace is around 9:15-9:30 now and that is a huge improvement from the 10:30-11:00 "easy" pace I was at least year.  Thank you SF hills and speed work!