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Late 30-something, married with two kids struggling to find the balance between wife, mother, employee, runner and myself.
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    Thursday, May 01, 2008

    Take It & Run Thursday

    My questions for all the folks at Runner's Lounge:
    1. Plantar Fasciitis - what to do? I am 99.999% positive this is my problem with my right foot.
    2. Long runs in steamy, hot August - how should I prepare for this?
    3. Do you really go with the 1/2 size larger shoe than you normally wear?
    4. Anyone else like thin socks or would run sans socks if they could?

    And for my workout this morning: 5 mi in 44 min on the dreadmill (hubby had already taken off for work); watched NCAA men's gymnastics competition (recorded on ESPNU); started at 6.1 and ramped it up 0.1 mph every 3 min.

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    16 Comments:

    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    On plantars... I am no help at all. I think rest is the only thing, I do know someone who had her feet wrapped per-marathon though. Seemed to help. (No clue -- at all.)

    Long runs in August. Treadmill? Run early in morning (like 5 a.m.) or wait until it's reasonable. Lots and lots of fluid and run naked.

    Yes, I do get a size bigger than I normally wear. My shoes re the ugliest thing ever. BUT they work. So 9.5 it is.

    Sock are a must for me. I get blisters otherwise. But I am looking at new socks. I've been wearing the Wright socks (not Lepht ones.) They seem to prevent the blisters and are nice and breathable.

    8:49 AM  
    Blogger Lori said...

    Plantar Fasciitis:
    I have had success combining treatments.
    -Use a tennis ball or other hard ball to roll under the affected foot. Push hard. The pain while doing this is 'good' pain.
    -Roll a frozen water bottle under the foot
    --ice foot
    --stretch hamstrings and calves gently, often
    --dorsiflex your foot a minute or two before getting out of bed to walk. BE GENTLE on your foot when you get up in the morning!
    ---If you can afford it, buy a Straussburg sock to wear part of the night (or all) This has helped me a lot!
    --You can try taping the foot for it- (google plantar fascitis taping) but it is sometimes hard to keep the tape in place for a longer run.
    --have someone do deep massage into the painful part of the facsia (this takes some strong fingers)
    ---arnica gel
    --make sure you have shoes suited for the problem and possibly inserts.

    oh--and I'm liking ininji socks (the ones with the toes) they are thin.
    thats all
    wish you the best
    Lori

    9:06 AM  
    Blogger Gretchen said...

    Plantar Fasciitis - what to do? I am 99.999% positive this is my problem with my right foot.

    No help here... Still trying to get a run in on a regular basis.

    Long runs in steamy, hot August - how should I prepare for this?

    HYDRATE! Before, during, and after. That and a good wicking shirt. And sunscreen.

    Do you really go with the 1/2 size larger shoe than you normally wear?

    Yes. Otherwise my toenails turn black and fall off.

    Anyone else like thin socks or would run sans socks if they could?

    I love thin socks, but don't know if I could go sockless. I recently bought some from Title IX - 3 pair for $25 - but they came in Large (9.5 - 12 size) so they actually fit me, and they're terribly soft and comfy. I even wear them when I'm not running.

    9:12 AM  
    Blogger Midwest said...

    Long runs in August: I go early in the morning, too. And dream of popsicles.

    As for the shoes, I had my feet measured at the running store, and they claimed I was an 8, rather than the 8-1/2 I've always worn. I tried the 8's and decided I prefer the extra half size. Best for when the feet swell.

    9:40 AM  
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Lori, Plantar Fasciitis is sometimes very hard to stop. Don't let it get chronic. 1. Seek a good sport med M D 2. Ice often 3. Consider your running shoe as the possible problem/ too worn out /or too much / to little control 4. Don't wear flip flops or sandals Do wear the shoe that give you the most relief. 5. Avoid the aggresive or long -term stretch ie. sitting with your foot behind you under the chair/up on your toes. 6. seek a good Physical Therapist that knows running.

    9:44 AM  
    Blogger Lauren @ mostly i run said...

    I fortunately don't have experience with Plantar Fasciitis ... but they do make socks that you sleep in that pull your toes back that are supposed to help ...

    I won't ever do a fall marathon because I want to avoid long runs in August! But, we still run year-round ... just earlier. Bring water. I love my amphipod!

    My shoes are actually a full size to a size and a half bigger than my street shoes. They taper at the toes, and if I went any smaller they'd be too narrow. My feet would go numb around 10 miles! I also had two black toenails back before I went up the extra 1/2 size.

    I always wear socks, and for summer I like really thin ones. C9 has some at Target that are thin and light. Cheap and comfy! In cooler months, Balegas are my favorites.

    12:12 PM  
    Blogger Amy@RunnersLounge said...

    Shoes - for me I wear 1 1/2 sizes bigger than regular shoes. It is a big one - but so worth the toe room.

    Socks - thin, and expensive. Just as you would spare nothing for shoes, go expensive on socks - your feet will appreciate it - especially in August.

    Long runs in August - I complain alot (ok, too much!), but I still do them. I do them very early on shaded trails. I do try to limit them and mix the long workout with biking and then running when it gets in that high 80/90 temps.

    4:46 PM  
    Blogger Bob A said...

    Plantar fasciitis -- try freezing water in a water bottle. Wrap it in a thin towel or wear thin socks and roll it under your foot.

    Long runs in August -- do them in the early morning and drink plenty of water.

    Socks -- I actually like Balega Trail Busters. They aren't thin but provide some cushioning but seem to help me avoid hot spots better than some others on long runs. For shorter runs, I like Balega Enduro.

    6:47 PM  
    Blogger Jeff said...

    On plantars - don't go too long on an old pair of shoes. I did and ended up with cortisone shot in both feet. I have found using a frozen water bottle and rolling it under my feet while I am at my desk has helped as well as keeping my feet and calves stretched out. Good Luck!!!!

    7:26 PM  
    Blogger Anne said...

    Wow... check out all these real runners with such fantastic answers for you! I hope you get the plantar business under control. It does sound painful... sorry you're suffering.

    I will likely do most my hot summer running on the treadmill, but then I'm not training for a marathon, and a good 3-5 mile run is enough for me.

    My running shoes are the same size as probably 1/2 my regular street shoes. I wore a 9.5 until pregnancy, when I went up to a 10. I have gone back to a 9.5 for probably 75% of the shoes I buy now, but my running kicks are a 10. I did try a 10.5 once and they were too big.

    I love the C9 socks from Target. They are thin and they are the only socks I run in.

    9:28 PM  
    Blogger Anne said...

    1/2... 75%... same thing, right? ha!

    9:28 PM  
    Blogger Stuart said...

    1, sorry can't help you there
    2, go out early or late, hydrate, long sleeves, visor glasses, if it still hot freeze bottles and drop them off by car beforehand
    3, yes, you feet swell, always buy shoes after 5pm
    4, no sorry I like some padding, if you like no socks then check out Vibram Five Fingers

    10:01 PM  
    Blogger Unknown said...

    Hey, my BF has PF! I will direct her here and see if she has any advice.

    6:18 AM  
    Blogger Tanaya said...

    No help for the PF. My MIL has it and the burning drives her insane. I hope the suggestions above help.

    I hate the heat and try to run indoors when it gets too warm.

    Shoes for me are always a half to a whole size bigger. Otherwise, I get gnarly callouses and...the dreaded black toenails.

    Socks have to be very very thin. I really like the Smartwool sport socks. I realize that it sounds absurd to wear wool socks when you're trying to stay cool, but they work great.

    7:39 AM  
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I have suffered PF for years and it seems to come and go. I have bought several types of inserts and I avoid all the trendy flats which seem to aggrivate it, although if they have at least a 1/2 heel, then it's generally ok.
    I 100% agree with what toughnoodles recommended, especially the sock.

    1:18 PM  
    Blogger MamaMaven said...

    On the plantar I had it before and it was awful. I was told by the poditrist that shoes all the time were a must--did I mention I hate shoes? Birkenstocks for around the house have been a godsend.

    I am worrying right long with you about Aug with my tri coming at the end of what is usually an unbearable month here!

    I am a half to whole size bigger in running shoes depending on the brand. I was amazed to find a place where they actually carried a size 10.5!

    7:56 AM  

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