I’m at a stage in my life where every run I take is a recovery run. I’m coming back from plantar fasciitis (PF), and it really tests my resolve to run.
First off, I must say that since I’ve been lifting more and my cardio based on swimming, folks have been asking me how often I work out. That is somewhat gratifying, to say the very least. When I was running only, no one ever stopped me to ask any such questions. Even my parents commented on the new muscular look I must be wearing. I was revising my training plan today to accommodate a half marathon in 9 weeks, and I was asking myself “do I really want to run that much and risk losing that much muscle?
Second, since my cardio fitness has come exclusively from walking (during my commute, not as a workout) and from swimming, running is pretty difficult still. It makes me ask myself whether I’m willing to train through some very sluggish days ahead to get to half-marathon fitness.
Third, my plantar fasciitis. Even though I took 9 weeks off to let it heal some, it is not yet completely healed in the sense of feeling like my non-injured foot. Running is not so much the problem, it’s basically all the other times when my foot has a chance to stiffen up. And although the foot is not painful during workouts, it takes a lot of disciplined exercise just to make sure that it remains pain-free.
All this said, I am going to push through. Running is not forever. Training and strength are gifts from God. I am going to enjoy it fully. Plus, my running helps me address everything else I’m engaged in. There’s something about hitting the trails or the roads, especially in cool or almost cold fall weather, that clears your mind and prepares your heart for work [and worship??].
Where will you hit the trails today?
PS. Some PF Tips—I don’t want to leave this post without giving a plantar fasciitis tip, so here it is. I’ve been taping my foot before I run. The best thing I can compare it to is taping your ankles. If you’ve sprained an ankle, and you know what it’s like to come back from that, you know that the tape helps you compete even if it will be some unpredictable amount of time before the ankle is 100% again. That’s what it feels like with taping PF. It works! But how long will it take for my foot to be strong again? There are many low-dye taping methods, but the most important thing for me has been to not tape the metatarsals’ anchor strap around the top of the foot. Anchor the strip only from side to side. If you can, use waterproof tape as it flexes some to help support without chafing. Whatever you do, do not use kinesio tape. KT tape did not work for me for PF. Also, I’ve been taking my easy runs in Saucony Guide 10’s. I do not run in my Pegasus 33s since I feel they are a little too unstable. I use those only for walking, but the Saucony’s have been very good on the run.