That hurt like a shot in the heel

That's going to be my new expression to describe something that hurts really bad.

Here's a play by play for those of you who find this stuff fascinating.  (If you tend to pass out at the thought of shots, needles, ligaments, and the combination of the 3, you may want to sit down and have some orange juice nearby)

The podiatrist came into my room (he's a friend of mine) and did an ultrasound of my heel.  He said it was definitely plantar fasciitis because he could see the swollen plantar fascia ligament above my heel.  He even showed me.  I had a flashback to looking at my unborn children on an ultrasound screen because my foot on the screen looked about the same to me as they always did.  A big blob of nothingness.  But, once he pointed it out, it was actually kind of fascinating. 

So he said we should go ahead with the cortisone injection and then inserts for my shoes.  He said he'd also give me some exercises to do.  He said "Ok, I'm going to spray some really cold spray on your heel so it makes the injection not hurt so much. So, you'll feel cold, then stick, then burn"  I was like "OK, whatever you say"  I had already told him I was nervous about it and he said (and I quote) "It really isn't that bad" (end quote)  So, as he puts the needle in (I think while watching the ultrasound) I say "Oh, you're right, it doesn't hurt that bad" and he says "Now, here comes the burn" and I said "OOH MY GOSH MATTHEW YOU TOTALLY LIED TO ME!"  But by the time I had said that, the worst was over.  When I stood up later, it actually felt BETTER than it had when I walked in.

My instructions are to do the exercises (including rolling a frozen water bottle back and forth on my foot for 20 minutes 4 times a day...good advice for anyone suffering with plantar fasciitis), go to the Athletic Annex in Indianapolis to have them analyze my gait for good quality running shoes, wear the inserts he gave me, and try to stay off the treadmill whenever I can.

My plan is to continue on as scheduled with my 3 mile run tomorrow.  I will take it a little easy and stop if it is hurting, but right now, I think I'll be fine.  It feels kind of weird right now, but no pain...and the plantar fascial pain is definitely less!  All in all, I'm very happy I went and got it fixed before it became a major problem that would have caused me to have to stop running for a while!!

New Year's Resolutions

I seriously hate New Year's Resolutions.  I don't know why but they have always annoyed me.  I feel like you can do whatever you want to do any time of year.  That being said, I'm setting a goal that just happens to coincide with starting on January 1.

I am going to run a half marathon.

Back in 2005, Chris and I attempted to participate in the Indianapolis Mini Marathon.  I made it to mile 6 and quit.  Literally, collapsed in a heap of tears on the ground.  I just sat there and waited for the big bus o' failure to stop by and scoop me up.  I was embarrassed and humiliated and SORE and swore that day that I never would attempt it again, and warned all those around me that if I ever started talking crazy talk and saying things like I wanted to try it again to immediately remind me of that day and tell me to snap out of it.

Sadly for me, no one has done that yet.

I was initially going to sign up for the Indy Mini again and do it with a very large group of my friends who are also all doing it....but as I brought up the registration page and began to enter my credit card information, it occurred to me that it was the same day as my cousin Katherine's wedding in Arizona and I wouldn't be able to participate.  I could not believe how upset I was about not being able to sign up.  I decided to still "train" like I was going to do a half marathon even though I didn't actually have a half marathon to train for.

I bet you can guess how well that went.

Honestly, I have done some running but very minimal and very haphazardly.  I will run on the treadmill every once in a while when the mood struck me but with no official plan and if I got on the treadmill and got tired, I'd just stop.  Not exactly the kind of stellar, constructive training the experts would recommend.

Last week, I decided this was ridiculous, I was going to start the same training plan that Chris did last year but only run it to the half marathon level.  So, I did.  I ran 3 miles last Tuesday and 4 miles last Wednesday.  And then woke up on Thursday with the inability to walk. 

I quickly recognized my symptoms as something my dad had had in the past, plantar fasciitis.  I rested my foot until the Tuesday 3 days ago and then ran 3 miles again.  Wednesday, the pain was back.  So, there went my brilliant plan.  I contacted my friend Matt who is a podiatrist and he said to come in so he could give me a cortisone shot in the heel (um...OW!) and some inserts for my shoe.

So, that appointment is scheduled for Monday...but in the meantime.  I am going to start training for the half marathon I have selected as the half marathon I am going to run.......

That means, I need to start my 12 week training plan on February 22.   Up until then, I will be repeating the following training plan:

Pre-training schedule. 

You should be able to run this schedule for four to five weeks without much discomfort before starting the half marathon program. If not, give yourself some time to build up to that level gradually, or you may risk injury.

	Mon.	Tue.	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Sat.	Sun.
Pre- Train	Off	3M	4M	4M	Off	3M	5M

I will train with my friend Tracey who also trained for and participated in the triathlon with me last year.  She has since moved to Tennessee (sad face) so there will be a lot of texting and Facebooking with each other to keep each other accountable...but whenever she is in town.  We will train together.  Knowing someone else is doing it with me is half the battle!

I also have a fun new toy that is the same Garmin watch that Chris has used for his marathon training.  So, for a while, this blog is going to be dedicated to my training and a place for me to report my progress (or lack there of)  I would love any feedback and/or encouragement at any time.  It is what sustains me!

Stay tuned for my 3 mile run #1 report on 1/1/11!!!!