Tag Archives: Plantar Fasciitis

No Regrets…

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I live with a “No Regrets” mentality.  I don’t waste time looking back at what has been and lament about things I did wrong or even wish that things were different.  I honestly believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that God plays a huge roll in every aspect of our lives even if we don’t understand why or recognize the work He has done.  No regrets, things are as they should be and it is our job to accept.  No regrets.

So each year, I jam as much as possible into my life because I know that at some point this will all come to an end and all that will be left are the stories.  In fact, I frequently see  a shirt that One More Mile makes that sums it up perfectly.

there will come a day_shirt

In fact, if you know me in real life, you have probably heard me say on occasion, “oh, that’s gonna hurt…. but it will make a good story”. 

Last week should have been my biggest training week for the Chicago Ragnar Relays but life “kinda” got in the way.  Even my running watch noticed.

NikeWatch_Are We Running Later

I may have mentioned it before but if you are going to be a slacker, don’t buy the Nike+ GPS Sportwatch, it totally calls you out.  I’ve only had one other time when I saw a message on my watch and that was when I took some time off at Christmas to try to get the Plantar Fasciitis in check.

Between life, and an attempt to heal my left hip from tripping on a crack in the sidewalk and jamming it up and also NEEDING to heal the aching Plantar Fasciitis, last week was a bit light on workouts.  You’d think I’d feel better and refreshed but I don’t.  I do think we are making progress with the hip but the PF is out of control.  The current method of treatment for the PF is a process of scraping the fascia to break up any scar tissue/residue and hopefully eventually curing the PF to the point where I won’t need the orthotics.   It hurts like hell.  It’s not going well and has inflamed the PF back to it’s original state of pain.  It hurts to walk and run.  It hurts to stand.  It hurts.

I did manage 2 runs this weekend.  A beautiful 10.5 miler on Saturday morning.  The trail is alive and beautiful and makes me happy to be out there moving. 

OPT_5-26-12

It took 5 miles before the hip loosened up and I could actually run faster than a 9:30.  The second half of the run was much better and I was back down into the 8:45 range, not great but I was comfortable for most of it until probably the last mile when the hip really started burning and the PF was getting extremely cranky.

Me_5-26-12

But I was happy to be out!  Then Sunday, I went 7 miles and that wasn’t pretty.  The hip didn’t bother me at all but the PF was very angry from the Saturday run so it was a run/walk fest.  Yesterday I rested.  The PF is even worse today.  Hmmm….how to handle the next month?

So, although I have “no regrets”, I certainly am not excited that the official kickoff to Chicago Marathon training started yesterday.  I can manage the pain with TRI training because the intensity of the run is low; however, I know from experience that the pain just increases and spreads with the high mileage that marathon training requires.  And then I have that little thing called the Ragnar Relay which is in 10 days. and oh yeah, I’m on an ultra team.  Hmmmmm……..

No regrets but things could be looking a little better at this point.  🙂

No complaints but anyone have a cortisone shot in their pocket?  I know that doesn’t fix anything but it sure does make things a lot more bearable.  You wouldn’t tell Alexis L that I got a cortisone shot while she was trying to cure my PF, would you?  Shuuuuussh, cuz I’m seriously thinking about it.

How was  your weekend?  Did you print your training program for the Chicago Marathon?   If not, you need to think about doing that.  If you are in half marathon shape, and are not freaking out about the fact that you have to run a marathon in 18 weeks, you will need to start training the first week of July.  If you are not in half marathon shape, then you need to start training…….. yesterday.

** Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz ** amanda@tootallfritz.com **

Reality Bites….

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I hate to use the term “Reality Bites” but as runners & athletes we want our body to move at 110% all the time.  We work hard and give as much as we can manage in the limited amount of time we are able to carve out of work, family, life, and the dreaded commute.

At the point in time when we realize that our body doesn’t have a 110% to give, we must then deal with reality.  Not ignore the situation but deal with it so it does not get worse.  Hear me?  If you are hurting, listen to your body and do something about  it.

I’m 2 days away from the race that I ran the very fastest last year, the Devil Dash 5K in Peotone.  On May 14, 2011, I ran this race in 22:17, which is smokin’ fast for me!  I’d like to run well this year.  I have no idea if I can run a 22:17, I’d hazard as guess as to NO, probably not.  I’m not particularly fast this year, not particularly slow either but just hanging in the mediocre range.  However, my left hip is screaming at me. 

Did I mention that I tripped over a raised crack in the sidewalk three days before my last half marathon?   Stock photo, not “my” crack.  That sounds really bad, doesn’t it?

Yeah, I “probably” forgot to mention it.  Well, I jammed up my left hip because I’m clumsy and I tripped. I have been stretching, icing & taking motrin but this hip never properly recovered from Mr. Michael’s birth so it leans toward the damaged side on a good day.  I had bad big issues with it last spring, which I attributed to “overuse”.  That’s what everyone else wants to blame but I seriously don’t think that is the real cause.  Hello, Mr. Michael.  Anyhow, I firmly believe that this hip issue is also the root of my Plantar Fasciitis, which still lingers in a muted state most of the time even with the expensive orthotics, the treatments & the 2 cortisone shots I’ve had over the last 6 months.

So reality hit last night when my “tight” hip started burning during our run.  Yep, had to cut my favorite run of the week short.  I left after 8 miles to go home and cry soak in an ice bath.  I’m calling Alexis L for an emergency miracle session as soon as I’m done bitching with this post.  I’m not happy but I know it could be far worse, like Lisa E pedaling her axx off on the stationary bike with her broken foot cuz she can’t run.  Or a high school alum of mine who won’t be participating in the Olympic Trials (or London) cuz of nagging injuries.  As always, reality bites.

How long do you wait before contacting a doc regarding a nagging “tightness” or pain?  I always think it will work itself out but I’m still waiting and its been 14 days.  The “tightness” keeps getting worse not better.  Not the direction I’d like to move.  Any chance I can run super fast on SAT after a miracle magic chiro session?

I’m off to call the chiro!  Let’s hope I can get in….

Happy PAIN FREE Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz ** amanda@tootallfritz.com

The Little Things…..

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In my real life, Miami Beach vacations are certainly not a thing of the norm.  In fact, had it not been for my momma & I’s traditional Leap Day trip to celebrate life, then I may have never seen the beauty of South Beach.  In my REAL LIFE  I cherish the beauty of the little things.  A few of the little things that I have been appreciating over the last several days. 

The Ability/Flexibility to Try New Things

  • Mojitos – About 9 out of 10 people were enjoying these refreshing looking drinks while we were in Miami.  I decided to take the dare and try one even though I normally do not care for hard alcohol.  I thought I might get lucky since Mojitos have ingredients that I like:  lime, mint, rum.  Unfortunately, the end result didn’t work for me.  It was disgusting I didn’t like it at all.  I had trouble finishing it, which says a lot since half the glass was filled with lovely greenery.  Mojito – YUCK!
  • Birkenstock Sandals – I have never been a fashionista but I’m certainly not earthy either.  The Birkenstock craze was huge in college but I never jumped on the band wagon.  I mean, really, why would I pay the same amount of $$ for sandals as I would a good pair of running shoes?  It seemed insane at the time, particularly when they didn’t fit my “style”.  Well time changes almost everything.  I saw a pair of these babies in Miami and they have come a long way in the style department.  Plus when I slid them on my feet, they had a lot of support particularly for the Plantar muscle.  Sold.  Birkenstock – YAY!
  • Mom tried raw oysters!  Wow!  She is good about trying new things but let’s just be honest, raw oysters aren’t an easy sell.  She thought they were “good” but didn’t really understand the point of eating something that you aren’t supposed to chew.  Good point but I still like them.  🙂  Raw Oysters – ???

The Homecoming

  • Seeing the family.  As a busy mom, I loved going away for a few days and having zero responsibilities, being able to just lounge, do whatever caught my fancy, and being able to eat out at nice restaurants; however, by the end of the trip, I was also anxious to get home to the kiddos and hubby.  I missed the craziness of being with the kids.  And they loved the fact that I was home for about 5 minutes before they started fighting and making demands.
  • Sleeping in my own bed.  Who doesn’t prefer their own bed over any others?  I really don’t like to stay overnight anywhere other than my parents.  They have a good bed for me and Michael and it’s comfortable and I’m used to it since I stay there a lot.  But otherwise, I don’t even want to stay at a friend’s house because I am just not comfortable.  I normally do not do well in hotels either.  Thankfully the Miami hotel had a good bed and sleeping was good but normally, I’m not a fan.
  • My dog.  I have a Weimaraner, LibLib, who is my baby.  Unfortunately, Michael now demands more attention than her and OUR cuddle time is much less than pre-Michael.  However, I love this dog more than most people and I miss her when I’m gone.  She is my heart, soul, and my very best bed warmer.  No electric blanket needed, I have LibLib. 

Back to Reality and a Schedule

  • I like a good schedule.  That’s how I get through life.  Organization and Time Management are key ingredients to Making It Happen.
  • Quality time with Aby.  It is always nice to steal some quality time with the oldest while hubby is picking up Michael by taking a short run.   Now that track season is on the horizon, all of a sudden, I’m more in demand with my oldest because she wants to go running to be in shape for the season.  I think we probably missed the “in shape” boat by a month or more but I’ll suck up take all the quality time I can get with her while she still likes me.  Last night we did a windy 3 miles on our country roads.
  • Wednesday Night F’N Runs.  Wednesday is now my favorite day of the week because I have locked it in as a Run Day with the F’N Running Club.  It certainly isn’t easy for the family to make it happen but we have somehow managed it for the last 5 months.  I am hoping we can continue to manage it, even with Aby’s track schedule.  We shall see.  But this week, I’m in and soooo looking forward to it!

What little things in real life to you cherish and try to appreciate?

Happy Running,                                                                                                                 Amanda – TooTallFritz

Run/Walk thru the CHI…..

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Yesterday I hauled my ass self away from the office with the intent of knocking out an 8 miler.  Well, that didn’t happen.  But it was a beautiful day in the CHI and the sun was trying to peak out!

I wasn’t very far at all when I realized that my legs were very fatigued.  So I readjusted my goal from 8 miles to 6.  Then I got to Oak Street beach and realized that I wanted to walk.

So I walked.  And realized I was only 2.5 miles in and if I wanted to walk at this point, then I better just turn around and head back for the office cuz it wasn’t going to get better so I turned around and the now 6 miler turned into a 5.

In addition to the heavy fatigue, my right calf was also screaming talking to me.  The good news is that the ankle which was bothering me last week was silent, unless I just couldn’t hear it’s whimpers over the screams of the calf muscle.  I’m thinking that a 2013 edition of the Warm Your Heart rat maze will NOT be in the cards for Ms. TooTall.  Yep, the aftermath on my body was too much for a 5K distance.   Not worth it in my opinion.  Too many hairpin turns.  I’m coming off the Plantar Fasciitis injury and am still not 100% so it probably affected me more so than a healthy person.  The calf muscle that was screaming after the Warm Your Heart race and also during this run, is the same one which was swollen and so damaged that it finally sent me to the doc for the Plantar Fasciitis in September.  I know this is all related.  That’s okay, it will bounce back and I’ll know better for next year. 

In the interim, I enjoyed a nice run/walk thru the city. 

Chicago is getting ready for St Paddy’s Day!

So it was a good day to get out and enjoy the city but a very unproductive “run” per say.  It’s okay, just a perfect excuse to take it easy the next couple of days in preparation for Sunday’s race in Miami.  And fortunately, I have been doing this long enough to know that this will in NO WAY affect my performance.  It’s just a bump in the road, the work has been done, the miles put in and I will be READY TO RUN a kick ass race on Sunday. 

Cheers!                                                                                                                         Amanda – TooTallFritz

 

 

Believe….

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As cliché as it sounds, I believe…….

I know that the numbers on the treadmill do not define me.  I know that I have not been hitting the speeds/durations that I need in order to run as fast as I want.  But I believe that my hard work will pay off with positive results.  I am working harder than I have ever worked before, logging more miles than in years gone by and I know that when race day arrives, I  will bring everything I have to the table.  What does that mean?  I will bring my attitude and BELIEVE that I can run faster than is possible.

I began simple speed interval work about 5 or 6 weeks ago with the intention of getting back into 22:xx shape for the 5K distance.  However, I do not anticipate the upcoming Warm Your Heart 5K at McCormick Place to be a test of the progress of my random speed work since the course map looks as intricate as a good maze. 

After a brief review of this course map, I have decided that this looks like a fun race where I will get to go and hang out with friends but not one that will count as a real test of 5K speed since I can only imagine huge bottlenecks at each of those turns.

However, as I look forward to the next several weeks of training I see the 13.1 Miami Beach race in my immediate future.  I anticipate this to be a good test as to my current level of fitness.  I haven’t raced a half uninjured since last June and that day ended up being sweltering hot and although I finished in a run/walk fashion, they did end up calling the race and closing it down due to the dangerous conditions.  So I don’t feel as if that race was a good indication of half marathon speed since I was in survival mode.  I raced a couple other halfs afterwards but they were in a very injured state with the Plantar Fasciitis.  Therefore, I have HUGE expectations for 13.1 Miami Beach.  I have been trying to get to the 1:50:xx mark in the half marathon for 2 years and I now believe that I will be able to attain this goal with my current level of fitness. 

So I have one more week to train without blowing it and then it will be R&R with my momma in Miami before Ms. TooTall bags a goal that is 2 years in the making.  I’m not really sure there will be room for many other people in the race once my attitude hits the start line.  Watch out Miami Beach…….I’ll be flying in for you, very soon!

Believe in yourself and know that the impossible really is possible if you BELIEVE. 

Do you have any lofty goals which you fully expect to achieve this year?

Amanda – TooTallFritz

Hard to Rest…..

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Yesterday might possibly have been the nicest day of the year, so far, but alas I had a rest day planned because I felt like I needed it.  I also wasn’t feeling my best but when I got off work and saw the sun shining and the mild temps, of course, I wanted to run.  I debated running vs. not running the entire commute home.  I knew my feet needed to rest.  The Plantar Fasciitis is hopefully almost gone and I do not want to do ANYTHING to aggravate the situation so that was basically the deciding factor to continue as planned with a short cross training session on the bike trainer rather than going for a run.

I may have mentioned a billion times before that riding on the trainer is like running on the treadmill. It is harder because it is boring but the good thing about riding in my dining room on the trainer is that I can blast my iPod.  So the times goes pretty quickly for these short workouts since I can listen to my favorite songs, very loudly.  Another bonus is that I am getting acclimated to the warmer temps for 13.1 Miami Beach in 16 days!!!!! a bit before spring/summer arrives.  I also enjoy not having to layer up for the outdoor temps.  Yesterday I wore one of my favorite items of SWAG, the Sunburst Half Marathon shirt from 2011.  This was one of the A4 shirts I received last year and I really like the brand, especially in the women specific sizing.  It’s soft, cute and I could wear it every day. 

So all in all, it was a short but sweet workout.  I calculate my trainer miles at 15 mph.  I  figure I ride slower inside than out so this is a fair estimate.  Yes, I would have rather been running but focusing on recovery and injury prevention is MORE important than logging a few extra miles and ending up with 8 months of injuries from being stupid not listening to my body. I want to be healthy this year so I can walk without pain be my best.  I will listen to my body and rest when necessary, regardless of the weather, or an invitation to run with a friend or an extra time slot without the little man.

Rest is just as important as the mileage.  I encourage you to also remember to rest when you need it. 

What is your favorite thing to do on a rest day?  Do you cross train or take the day completely off?  Or do you leave it to your body to decide?

Happy Running!                                                                                                           Amanda – TooTallFritz

Reset on Speed…….

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This week should be my 3rd week of speed sessions.  The goal is to get back to running 22 minute, or faster, 5Ks.  After the long miserable stint with Plantar Fasciitis, I lost a lot of speed.  The initial plan was to do 2 speed sessions per week in an attempt to boost performance for the Warm Your Heart Indoor 5K at McCormick Place at the end of the month.  However, it hasn’t worked out that way.

  • Week 1, 10x200m – CHECK
  • Week 2 – Session 1 – Sick baby – Didn’t happen
  • Week 2 – Session 2 – Should have been 6x800m but I couldn’t hang so I limped thru greatly modified the session to a sub par workout.
  • Week 3 – Session 1 – Didn’t happen – Late/Hard run night before and I wasn’t recovered.

So today was Week 3 – Session 2 and as I looked back over the folly I called “speed” work, I decided that I need to push the reset button and start over. 

At the beginning.  Fresh.  At a point where I had the confidence I could nail the workout and move forward. 

So back to the 10×200 I went.  I’m a sprinter at heart and that works well for me and fits well into the middle of my workday.  I can hang, no matter what.  And I did.  Great workout.  Not easy but I made it.  Success!  Now let’s see what next week will bring.

I also managed to grab a half hour on the bike today.  Not exactly what most people would call a “brick” but it’s about a close as my schedule will allow.  I also need time in the saddle to get used to riding again since I don’t ride with a chamois before spring comes and I roll her out for some real miles.  I know it’s as exciting to see me on my bike, on the trainer, in the same spot in my dining room gym as it is for me to ride there but alas, here I am:  I was very excited that my new Athleta Relay Capris came today!

I had ordered these in the fall and they were back ordered til December 15th so I canceled the order but I recently caved ordered them again, in the only color that was available for immediate shipment…..blue.  They are awesome!  They fit perfectly, are long enough (I did order the long), have a small zip pocket in the back, don’t move and feel like butter.  Nice!  I find myself with very few capri tights and will definitely order these in the other colors and wait for the backorder to ship.  Aby wants a pair too.  I can’t even tell which are my running clothes/shoes/socks/sunglasses, etc. now because she is creeping up on me in size and then she wants the same things I have so we have doubles of everything.  And it all looks the same.  And it’s not cheap buying my 10 year old clothes from Athleta & RunningSkirts.com, they should have a half price racks for kids.

“Run”Way Fashion:  The Athleta Relay Capris (above), and both workouts were in Tek Gear performance tops.  I purchased the Tek Gear at Kohl’s on a super sale, last season.  The shirts are cute, have nice material, have a small pocket in the back and I think worth the money, especially on sale.  I bought the white (above) and this green one: 

Do you buy any technical gear at bargain prices?  Any good bargain brands you can share with us?

Happy Running!                                                                                                                   Amanda – TooTallFritz

Winter Solstice 2011

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Winter Solstice begins tonight at 11:30 pm.  So what did we do to celebrate?  We ran.  What is my favorite way to celebrate any occasion?  Running and drinking.  I ran with the F’N Running Club then they went to the bar and drank.  At least it was 50/50 success ratio for me and the “celebration”.

Tonight/Tomorrow marks the climb up OUT OF THE DARKNESS toward daylight and spring.  The shortest day of 2011 will soon be in the done column and I’m happy about it.  Although it has yet to get cold and nasty in the CHI, and we have not had any snow, the darkness just lingers.  In fact, according to the numbers we currently have 6 hours and 6 minutes LESS daylight than during the Summer Solstice in June.  It certainly is nice to think about June right now but the current reality is darkness.  Most of us get up, go to work and come home in darkness.  Unless you are retired, or a SAHM with an awesome friend/family member to help out with the kiddos, most of your runs have been in the dark.  I hope you broke down and bought the KnuckleLights or goaded someone into buying them for you for Christmas!

Most of the F’N Running Club does have KnuckleLights, head-lamps, flashers/blinkers, etc. now for safety so we were back at it tonight for our usual Wednesday Night Run.  We tried to make it a Christmas Run but not everyone had festive attire.  That’s okay, 8 people showed up to run in the dark……  Me, Susan, Jeni, Brian P., Kathy, Vera & Maggie. 

I picked up those festive socks for $5 at Target. Lots of different styles!

Brian F., Jeni, Susan, Brian P., Kathy, & Vera

The group ran between 3 and 5 miles and then headed to the bar at varying paces.  We really enjoyed our visitor from Boston, Vera, who is a long time friend of Maggie‘s.  Had to get a pic of them together.  Those long-lasting friendships tear me up really rock!  Love the hat too, Vera!

4.0 miles – 34:51 for  me, no stops other than for traffic at road crossings.  This will be my last run until the NYE 5K in Matteson.  I have decided that it’s in my best interest to give my right foot a rest.  Although the orthotics and cortisone shot have done wonders in eliminating the heel pain, I have noticed now that the heel pain is gone I also have some other issues.  The outer bone on my right foot is shooting pain when I walk or run.  Although it probably didn’t help that I fell down the stairs with Michael in the dark on FRI this is a set back, I need some time off to evaluate if this is just an aggravation in conjunction with Plantar Fasciitis or if it is something independent.  So, no running til NYE, then we will see how the foot fairs after a fast 5K…..at least I hope it’s kinda fast.

Think happy thoughts for me and my bum foot!  I shall return.  Big things for 2012 and I want to be healthy.

Cheers!                                                                                                                             Amanda – TooTallFritz

It’s a GOOD Day!

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I am 60+ hours post cortisone injection for the plantar fasciitis and I am feeling GOOD.  Like so unbelieveably good that if I weren’t so flippin’ tall, I’d buy a pair of these….and make Mick take me dancing. 

Too much fun! 

But alas, I am trying to reign in my excitement and not do something stupid like re-run the Chicago Marathon route to try for a better time.  I did have one person tell me that they had the shot and it only last for 2 weeks before the pain came back.  I don’t even want to entertain similar thought processes as I happily sit here but possibly that would be why the doc had planned on a series of cortisone shots to knock it out for good.   Crossing my fingers!

While I am feeling good, if you have a few stretches you would like to share to help me combat the return of the Plantar Fasciitis, I’d be happy to entertain all reasonable exercises.  I have been balancing on one foot, while holding the other up….to stengthen the foot/ankle in general, plus doing calf/achilles stretches.  I would love to add maybe 2 more stretches.  Help me out with suggestions but remember, time is NOT my friend so don’t get crazy I need to be quick and efficient with any stretching routine.

Amanda – TooTallFritz

Drugs Please…Plantar Fasciitis – Part III

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Last night was the recheck with the foot surgeon to determine the progress after a month in the orthotics.  I am making progress but it is much slower than the doc would like so he decided a cortisone injection was in order.  After the painful poking to determine the largest problem area, and the point of insertion, the needle went in…… 

OUCH……Doc kept saying, “Remember, it’s not as bad as childbirth, right?”   Well, HELL no, but I had 9+ months to prepare for childbirth and a mere 9 seconds to prepare for this injection asshole.  Plus my body was helping to push/expel the a baby out, there was no wiggling said baby around, we didn’t push/pull baby in and out and/or reposition it.  So overall, baby just came OUT whether I was ready or not.  The needle, however, had a real fight going into uncharted territory, plus it needed to be in multiple places at once and well, that’s just not how things work.  It hurt.   See the pink dot for the point of insertion.

Doc injected cortisone up toward the arch and down toward the heel.  Those were the areas most swollen and tender.  The idea behind the cortisone shot was NOT to mask the pain per say but to pull out the swelling.  We have been treating this since early September because that’s when it got so bad that I couldn’t run with icing, oral anti-inflammatory meds, taping/padding and eventually orthotics.  Yesterday marked five weeks of orthotic use and apparently we should have seen more progress. 

September “Problems”

  • Left and Right Heel Pain – right heel far worse than left
  • Swelling of right foot, heel, Achilles Tendon, calf muscle
  • Left knee pain
  • Pain in both hips
  • Major cramping of right calf muscle after running a couple of miles
  • Left and right foot pain after running a couple of miles
  • Debilitating pain in feet and right calf to the point I would need to stop, stretch and walk during training runs
  • Racing was NOT good, lots of pain and swelling due to attempt at increased pace

5  Weeks Post Orthotics “Problems”

  • Right Heel Pain
  • Slight swelling in right heel and arch of foot
  • Fall off pace toward 8-10 mile mark of running
  • Right foot pain after 6-8 miles of running
  • Major right foot/heel pain after runs which require several days of rest to return to manageable pain level

Looking at these lists, I see that I have made a lot of improvement over the last couple of months.  Hopefully, after the pain from this cortisone injection dissipates, then the swelling will be reduced and maybe, just maybe, it will take some of the right heel pain with it.  Today is bad.  It hurts like a mother to walk and to sit and to stand.

The post-baby era, after having Mr. Michael has been rough.  2010 was the year of the come back, fighting the baby weight, and trying to regain fitness.  2011 was a year plagued with injuries starting in February/March with hip issues and then Plantar issues by summer.  I’m sure they are all related as the body is a complex organism but I would really like 2012 to be a pain-free year.  I can’t complain about 2011 because I have been fortunate to run some fast times for me while simultaneously being plagued with injuries.  That being said, I am careful about my miles.  Since I have been hurting this year, I take a few days off after training runs, or even a full week off in order to get as pain-free as possible race ready.  I certainly haven’t been at optimal fitness this year due to my sporadic mileage but I have made it thru the year with some decent times……22:19 – 5K, 40:31 – 8K, 1:16:40 – 15K, 1:53:20 Half Marathon….and I’ll just say I finished the 2011 Chicago Marathon with or without tears.  So I do look forward to racing pain-free in 2012.  I’m very willing to put in the miles and make it happen but I would like my body to be in a better spot.  If the next two cortisone shots don’t eliminate the swelling and right heel pain, then there will be time off in my near future.  I have a very big wish list for 2012 and want to do everything to the best of my ability PAIN-FREE.

Happy PAIN-FREE Running,                                                                                          Amanda – TooTallFritz