Chicago Bound but injured now

This might sound crazy, but if it starts to get worse with the only biking, try running. There's theory (this is true with me) that running actually helps the pf stay stretched out and is actually more beneficial.

And do everything prescribed in all pf threads.

You can maintain cardiovascular fitness on a bike or swimming. (Think about high level swimmers/bikers etc.. they are aerobically fit.) If you are only out of running for a short amount of time and hit the bike hard you should be ok. A problem I had with the bike is getting the heart rate up in the threshold area, so swimming maybe another option down the road if you need to get some high end workouts. But at the point you are at in training you are mostly just focusing on high volume aerobic work to get some anatomical changes/strength in the cardiovascular system, plus some you can still get some specificity (like mitochondria and capillary density increases) training in your muscles.

But, if you're out of a long period of time other things will become an issue.

As far as injured story relating directly to marathon. My entire "career", if you want to call my shit running a career, has been mostly injury or sickness. But, last year I ran my first marathon in October and about 15 weeks out I had to bike for a few weeks because of some small injures I got during track. While on the bike I was able to keep my fat-ass weight down and I hit the weight room for a upper body circuit training and some leg weight training (which I would recommend if you have access). Then once I was ready I went into running relatively easy and picked up the miles quick and ran a 2:21 for the marathon last fall. On the other hand,I was a complete mess after the marathon for about 3 months because I wasn't as strong as I should have been going in to the thing, but the bottom line is I got to the starting line in one piece and in ok shape.

Good luck, stay positive.

Wow - you qualified for the trials, I wouldn't call that a shit running career! Hopefully I will too. I appreciate the advice and have my fingers crossed that this is not going to keep me out for long...if it is then perhaps I will entertain the idea of swimming.

What are your thoughts on the advice from the previous post about running actually helping PF? It sounds crazy (as he stated) but I can see where he is coming from since so many people have said that their arch/heel feels better after running a few miles. The pain in my heel never went away - which is why I am taking the week off.

dtmack wrote:

My entire "career", if you want to call my shit running a career, has been mostly injury or sickness.

Good luck, stay positive.

I hope you take your own advice.

I have had pf on and off for about 7 years. I have been to a podiatrist and been treated with everything except surgery. What cleared it up the first time was extra corporeal shock wave treatment which is what is used to break up kidney stones. The pf returned a couple years later. When the pf came back I was out about 1 year until I started massaging the heel and really digging my thumb into the spots where the pain was and massaging it out. This brings immediate relief. I massaged it daily, sometimes several times a day until the pain stopped coming back. I was able to run within days of starting the massaging. I also do stretches for the calves and the plantar fascia. You sound like you have a bit of talent as a runner. Good Luck.

[quote]PF wrote:

What are your thoughts on the advice from the previous post about running actually helping PF? quote]

I also see where he is coming from to run on PF, some people have had good luck with this and I think it's one of the methods in......? (I can't remember the name right now but there is treatment where the Dr. or PT will create microtears, then have the patient run and do other various strengthing exercises even though there is pain, I'll look it up when I get a minute) Though, it can feel better while you run on it because muscles in the lower leg and foot get warmed up but you should be careful since the fascia does not have any elastic properties, the tissue will typically tear at the insertion when it is overstressed.

In your case, it sounds like you've had it for a bit, so I think you have the right idea in your plan.

I'm questioning if what I have is even PF anymore....

It doesn't feel better after walking around in the morning and hurts real bad to touch on the side of my arch, not really under my foot at all.

I have been icing it, rolling it, sleeping with a night splint, and taking ibuprofin.

I have been on the bike all week (one hour in the AM and another 30 minutes in the PM) and even with the refrain from running, it isn't getting any better.

I wonder if there is any such injury/condition that also affects the arch & heel but is not PF and what I should be doing about it if this is the case with me?

I am seeing a podiatrist next week but I am afraid she's going to tell me just to ice/roll/sleep with a night splint/refrain from running and take ibuprofin - everything I already know and am doing!!

Can a podiatrist give me a cortisone shot?

A podiatrist CAN give you a cortisone shot.

Bob Kempainen made the 1992 US Olympic Team in the marathon despitr a huge chunk of his training being done on a NordicTrack due to injury.

Good luck

I know these look very gimmicky, but I promise you it has helped every person that I have reccomended them to use. They are inexpensive and worth a try in my book.

www.archaid.net

WOW - that's a great positive success story! Perhaps I shouldn't give up the goal of 2:46 after all...

Thanks for the link - but I bought a very similar arch support from Road Runner Sports about 3 weeks ago and it did nothing for me. Only made my sore spot hurt more! Maybe I was wearing it wrong, I don't know.

I have been battling PF for about 6 months now. I did all the standard recommendations with little success. I then decided to see an ART practitioner. Now, after 4 treatments, I really feel like I am making significant progress. I have been running for close to 30 years and my feet were a mess (accumulated scar tissue, etc).

http://www.activerelease.com/about.asp

Secondly, I would really try a hard / easy approach to training. Before my PF an easy day would be a 4//6 double. Now my EZ days are 30-40 minutes lighting running or elliptical. I seem to be able to hit my workouts successfully and having the additional rest has facilitated the healing process. Good luck.