Countdown to Lake Placid Ironman
Just ticked over at 340,000 miles. I like driving the truck, but I much prefer gassing up the Matrix!
The run will be my challenge, due to weird things happening. Time to decode it. I tried running in Hokas today, and my legs hated it. After a 2.5 mile struggle, walk/run, I changed back to Nike Frees (minimal shoes) for the next loop, and all was well if I ran at a reasonable pace on the balls of my feet. If I tried going easy, landing mid-foot, my right calf seized up. Could be claudication, could be I need to decode my biomechanics, could need a Feldenkrais session to check for imbalance - FitOldDog heal thyself? It really is just like keeping my old truck going.
Run: 5-miles on trails, but it was a mess, with plenty of walking to relax my right calf. If I ran fast and relaxed on the balls of my feet in my minimal shoes, all was fine, even on hills, but I can only run fast for so long!
I’ll experiment with that tomorrow. Maybe I can run fast on the balls of for longer than I think I can. Martial arts taught me that lesson, when it comes to endurance training.
Important Note: These posts do not provide medical advice. You should always consult your physician before undertaking or significantly modifying an exercise program.
Copyright © 2010 Kevin T. Morgan aka FitOldDog, Old Dogs in Training, LLC.
You will solve this puzzle eventually. I have been following your posts on feet, as mine are sore in strange places, and quite weak, after last years surgery. I bought some Altra shoes (http://www.altrarunning.com) which are zero elevation, and am focusing on foot and hip mobility as well as proper arm motion and forward lean when I wear them. This type of running is exhausting and slow. But I think it is starting to pay off as I had a super track workout (8-400s) last Sunday. I believe that this ‘form’ running doesn’t need to be fast, I do an hour, but it will build the strength for faster running in a month or so. I also picked up some Hokas in Tucson, on your recommendation, but have yet to try them. I was having trouble with sore legs with Nike Frees in Florida. You need to find an assortment of shoes that work for you. Good luck with the Feldenkrais!
Hi Pauline, thanks for the input. I tried Altras to no avail. Only time it feels great is up on the balls of my feet, holding a solid pace. Even my Hokas didn’t work. Fascinating.
Another thought- until you solve your shoe/leg issue, you might consider pool running. Not much fun, but Earl Fee discusses it in his book (The Complete Guide to Running: How to Be a Champion from 9 to 90) . I see Earl running in the pool where I swim quite frequently and he was just at the Masters Track Worlds. Add an hour of pool running after the trail runs, and your running legs will be ready when you get the mechanics sorted out.
Hi Pauline, I wrote a review of Earl Fee’s book about 3 years ago (can’t believe it has been that long) http://athletewithstent.com/2011/02/05/great-running-book-by-earl-w-fee/ and it is excellent. I really liked his idea of completing long runs in the pool to reduce impact stress. I took your advice today, and modified my swim to include some water running, you’ll be gratified to know - a man who listens! Though I’m sure Bob listens, too. Thanks again, Kevin
Glenn left a comment but it never arrives, so he sent me this e-mail with his thoughts, which I really need to consider:
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Hi Kevin,
I am sending this twice, just in case there are tech problems at either end.
The Hokas have a 4mm heel-toe drop, despite all the cushioning. Depending on the model Free you have, the drop could be around 10mm. This could result in a shift back onto the heel when wearing the Hokas and forward when wearing the Frees. The biomechanical consequences could be the problems you are experiencing with your calves. Worth considering.
I’m not sure I would be trying to shift to forefoot striking at this stage. The change in gait may well bring on anything from Achilles tendinitis or shin splints to a stress fracture in the foot.
It might be worth looking at Adidas Boost shoes. The midsole is very cushioned, like the Hokas, especially under the heel, but the forefoot is quite low, giving you the connection to the road without sacrificing heel cushioning and a reasonable drop. The only thing is that like all Adidas, they tend to be narrow in the forefoot. I bought a pair, but ended up giving them to my son because I found them too narrow for my wide feet and they didn’t have enough padding in the forefoot for my weight.
Anyway, I hope something in all of this helps.
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I wonder if I should go back to my old ASICS gel, which worked really well for years, but they are heavy compared to these other shoes. I was concerned about the Nike Frees bringing on a host of new problems, even though they feel great. I’ll dig out my old shoes and see how they feel.
Thanks everyone.
Cheers,
Kevin
Sounds like some good advice here. Is this a new problem, post surgery I mean? I am confident you will solve it.
Hi Marsha, it’s kind of neat that Pauline in Canada, and Glenn in Australia, are providing great advice on my issue. There are always issues, but calves are a real problem, though not as bad as hamstrings! Keep on trucking. Cheers, Kevin