Running While Injured

This year I've had a bit of experience with Running While Injured. It is TOTAL bullshit and I'm sorry if it's happened to you. Here's what I've learned from personal experience and the internets. Obviously, I am not a doctor.

Rule #1: DO NOT TRY TO DO TOO MUCH TOO SOON.

That's it for rules. Here are my recovery strategies:

Runner's Knee

• Stretch and ice knees after every workout.
• Use a foam roller on calves and thighs daily. For me, the jury is out on whether rolling my IT bands helps or hurts. I use the half-sized one, since I am constitutionally unable to spend $40 on foam.
• Patellar straps placed just under the knee during runs can help. I pretty much never leave home without one since blowing out my knees this summer.
• Take NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen. Do not rely on these for a race, though. Doing so can wreak major havoc during a marathon.
• Ease back on mileage until acute phase has passed and then increase with care. I have learned to recognize the warning signs - discomfort is generally ok, but pain of any kind is not. This is a hard one for runners, who force themselves to run through some dark shit.
• Athletic tape such as KT can get you through a race but I tend to sweat it off anyway.
• I have been taking fish oil and multivitamins. Also a Glucosamine supplement, which has been medically shown to do absolutely nothing. If you want to take it, don't overdo it. There can be side effects.

Plantar Faciitis

• Recognize the symptoms and begin treating aggressively. I work on my feet and half my coworkers have Plantar Faciitis horror stories.
• Break from running immediately for the first week. 
• Continue to do other cardio and strength training, such as weights, cycling and foot strengthening exercises.
• Rest and hydrate.
• Stretch your feet and calves regularly - tight calves contribute to the problem.
• Ice arch and plantar facia multiple times a day.
• Roll arch and pf on a tennis or golf ball
• Do not go barefoot, EVER. Keep shoes next to your bed.
• Put drugstore PF supports in your work and regular shoes. Orthotics aren't necessary right away. I do not put these in my running shoes.
• Ease back into running slowly after the initial rest period
• If none of these work, see a doctor. Plantar faciitis can take you down for weeks or months.

See you out there (I hope).

A Week In Moab, Utah

Dealing With Burnout

This has been the least productive August and September since I discovered the outdoors, and it's taken me until today to fully admit that I am burned out. The things I use to define myself (hiker, runner, cyclist, wine nerd) all seem like a huge chore right now. I refused to believe it, comparing myself to ultra runners and other hardcore types who seem to never slow down, never stop. I work four days a week and have zero kids, for Pete's sake. I should be a lot more productive than I was when I had energy. Plus, there's a new house and a yard to enjoy/decorate. But when a two hour drive on a sunny day to an easy hike seems like a daunting thing and I'd rather sit in my back yard with my dogs, there is definitely something going on.

A coworker said I'm like one of those extreme hunter-gatherer types "You HUNT... then you sleep. Then you HUNT... then you sleep. Then you HUNT... then you sleep." It's kind of true that for the past few years I have loaded myself up with activities pretty much back to back depending on the season, so maybe I just need some dang rest. But also, getting injured before the marathon was psychologically difficult and that coupled with the whole house thing has just wiped me out. After the Enchantments I had the vague notion that I was done for the summer before it had really even gotten started, but I didn't realize that would actually be true. I've said that after nearly every tough solo trip. Though I felt fine on Mount Daniel, I've been heavy and sluggish on the bike and short runs. Basically, my fitness is a shit show right now.

Part of it is the completion of some big goals - I need that carrot to motivate me. Maybe it's no coincidence that I don't have a Winter 2014 Goals List posted dorkily on my refrigerator. My knees are still wrecked, and training for the Peterson Rumble and Sun Mountain 50K doesn't begin until December anyway. I despise those winter months, so I'm hoping that'll give me something to look forward to other than fake holiday bullshit and the disruption of my schedule. Also, there's sommelier certification to get cracking on. Wait, why the fuck am I sitting here whining...?

Mount Daniel SE Ridge