Heal, Heel!!

Wouldn't it figure my 4-pack of seasonal GU (mint chocolate, Mmmm) would arrive just in time for me to stop training. Yes, yes, I'm whining again. It is part of my daily frustration release. The March print version of RW recommended it. Really. Usually I just cry, but today I decided to put my thoughts on paper and eat cake. Really GOOD cake. Cake made with Bailey's Irish Cream. I spent several hours at the gym today and I deserve it, damn it.

I've also become a cross-training maniac. According to my beloved RW training log, I've spent 3 hrs 38 minutes on the stationary bike this week - a combo of the upright and recumbent bikes. I like the recumbent because it really works my glutes. So much so that I can't stay on it for long periods of time until my rear gets in better shape! I wonder if I'll come out of this convalescence a better hill runner! Oh yeah!

I will also be much stronger by the time this recovery period is over. I did core work and weight training four times each this week - 3 times upper body, 2 times legs (what I can do that doesn't involve my aching heel).

Speaking, er, writing of my heel. I'm not so convinced it is an achilles injury any more. The pain was initially right at the spot where my achilles attaches to the heel bone, but that pain is completely gone. In fact, it was gone within a few days and I have complete range of motion in my ankle. The swelling and tenderness has migrated. Can it do that? Silly question. Of course it can. It DID! Anyway, the tenderness is now on the bottom of my foot at the very back part of my heel. I don't feel anything with comfy shoes on, but when I'm at home and shoeless, I definitely feel achy. I still pop ibu pills and ice everyday. Here's hoping my GI tract, liver and kidneys can handle that much drug. ha!

What could it possibly be if it isn't achilles? Who knows. A doctor might know, but a doctor would take all the money that I need for things like mortgage, groceries, heat, water, running shoes and Bailey's cake. And what would a doctor do? Give my injury a name and tell me to do what I'm doing right now - resting. I know there is the potential to be more to it than that, but that's the most likely scenario. So, at least one more week of no running at all is in order, then I'll reevaluate my pesky little foot. Wish me luck!

Seasonal GU -- Who knew!?

So, Mom, since you reminded me today that I haven't been posting here, I copied/pasted all my entries from my Runner's World blog. There are 4 or 5 new posts here. You'll have to play catch-up! Hope I don't bore you too much - it is mostly running stuff!

We've all heard of seasonal beer - winter lagers, Oktoberfest, pumpkin ales, etc. But I was shocked and amused to see a seasonal GU - chocolate mint! This sounded intriguing, as my favorite espresso drink is a peppermint mocha, not that I think GU could ever compare to that decadent treat. I needed to pick up several packets anyway since my supply was very low, so I threw a couple choco-mints into my bag. I tried one out today during my long run and son-of-a-gun, it was GOOD! Never thought I'd say that about GU. Now I need to campaign to make it year-round instead of seasonal. I also need to swing back by Hanson's and pick up whatever they have left over! I'm not sure I should admit this outside of the running crowd... oops.

So I tried out my new Fuel Belt today. Fit great! Didn't even know I had it on during the entire 12-miler. I hope it fits as well when I am scantily dressed during summer runs *wink*. But it should serve me well during the rest of the winter - that is, when the temperature is somewhere closer to freezing. Today it was about 10F when we started our run. At around mile 8 or 9, it occured to me that I wasn't hearing any sloshing anymore. I dismissed that fact until I finished my run and reached down to take a drink from a completely frozen bottle of Powerade. *sigh*

The other problem I had came from trying to replace the bottle in the back of the belt with mittens on. Couldn't feel or see a thing! Both bottles were quickly moved to the front of the belt (I left the other 2 bottles at home). I'm hoping non-mittened hands will have little trouble replacing bottles in the back. If not, my husband suggested twisting the belt around once the front 2 bottles are empty. What a smart guy. :-)

On the plus side, my new Outdoor Research mittens kept my hands relatively comfortable during the entire run. I am quite sure my hands would have been frozen and painful in my old gloves. Good timing on my mitten purchase. Go Red!