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too much work and too much running on too few days

Coach, I have discomfort over the fibula on my left leg above an old fracture.  I had to do long runs on Tuesdays with minimal stuff other days due to work.  Due to prior stress fracture that took me out for 9 months! I'm not doing any running.  I'm tired of getting MRI's! when I know they'll just tell me to stop running....

so, race is on December 3rd, it's only a half marathon, and I can do a lot of cycling over the next few weeks.  Doing compression socks, Aleve, massage, ice and swimming for therapy... 

your thoughts? 

Comments

  • @Patricia Rosen -  I think your basic adjustments are all good. My questions for you are this:

    + what was your weekly mileage leading up to this point? Was there any one thing that set it off?

    + Are short runs OK, or is it more important to have no runs?

    + after your earlier diagnoses, what changes have you made to your diet and nutrition to try and strengthen your bones?
  • 1.  Chicago marathon on October 8th (kicked butt!  ran in Newton Gravitys...and best time in 5 years although not a PR... 12th overall in my age group
    2.  off for a week then about 12 to 16 miles a week
    3.  Starting doing long runs (2 hours +) November first
    On the long run the second week of November started having pain... left fibula above old stress fracture, and the next long run about half way through, and speed workout was uncomfortable....  I took off 10 days. 
    I don't know if it is a stress fracture without doing an MRI but I do feel better so if it is a stress issue to the bone likely just a stress reaction.  (MRI's are expensive and my doctor will just tell me to stop running)

    My bone density is great.  I haven't had it tested lately as my doctor and I agree since Vitamin d level is normal and last bone density was super good, it is not necessary. I have never broken a bone with just falling down...except in 2008 when I broke my right foot while trying to workout in spite of not being able to stand on my left foot due to stress fracture on the left!...  the stress fracture in 2008  was a stage 4 and I was in a boot for 6 weeks but since I broke the metatarsal on the other foot and stayed off of it I got better (wore two boots for quite awhile). 

    Apparently this is all due to me running on the outside of my feet... I have high arches and land on outside of foot then roll in... and I land on my toes...  forefoot runner...so solution has been metatarsal pads and lateral stretching and medial muscle work in quads and adductors... The other reason for my issues seems to be an "incompetent first toe" which is due to bunions and repair of such... little support from that toe in any activity.  

    Other solution are Hokas ...   but Hokas tear my feet up and are slow... like running in mush! but if I have pain I will use those... although I will pay for it with bad blisters and pain in my feet.

    Yesterday I did a slow jog with the dog and today I did a 1.6 mile run after a bike workout and did fine in my most favorite racing shoes, the Newton distance...  but I absolutely have to focus on landing mid foot and more so on the first metatarsal... to avoid discomfort I .... that was my fix on the 11 milers... but no real issue on short distances right now
    so that is the story.  I feel much better and am focusing on form, fast feet and leaning forward and landing on midfoot.  I'll go to yoga tonight and try to keep my knee facing forward, so to speak, to work on improving strength on stabilizer muscles, and of course every day I am doing my core routine with single leg squats...

    any other thoughts on this?  only two weeks to race and it looks like I am currently in taper mode.
  • oh, sorry, Half Ironman, not marathon...
    Cartagena, Colombia December 3rd
  •  I really don’t think you need to run longer at all. Your fitness is high and the race is upon us. Your success on race day will be pacing the bike such that you can be “present“ on the run enough to maintain your form. So short runs, frequency, and great form.

    Very interested to hear about those hoLas tearing you up. Maybe try two pairs of socks the next time you wear them? That might be an easy fix. 

    Regardless of what happens on race day, please tell me you’re going to give yourself a break until the new year!
  • 1.  chicago marathon on October 8th
    2.  off for a week then about 12 to 16 miles a week
    3.  Starting doing long runs (2 hours +) November first
    On the long run the second week of November started having pain... left fibula above old fracture and the next long run and speed work was uncomfortable....  I took off a week.  I don't know if it is a stress fracture without doing an MRI but I do feel better so if it is a stress issue to the bone likely just a stress reaction.  
    My bone density is great.  I haven't had it tested lately as my doctor and I agree since Vitamin d level is normal and continued improvement it is not necessary. I have never broken a bone with just falling down...except in 2007....  the stress fracture prior to thta was a stage 4 and I was in a boot for 6 weeks but since I broke the metatarsal on the other foot and stayed off of it I got better (wore two boots).  Apparently this is all due to me running on the outside of my feet... I have high arches and 
  • Nothing after this except a couple of half marathons...  Brazil in May.   I did some hill repeats today with no pain!!!!   I’m good.   Only four repeats about 30 minutes of running ...
  • Hi, coach!  did a 43 minute run on T-giving and did well.  Minor twinges and that is it.  Massage therapist helped a lot along with stretching, yoga and focusing on form. 
    The Hokas tear my toes up because they are narrow in the front and the "last" is right under the foot and not outside of the uppers...  so my toes, none of which are normal (bunions, some overlap and teeny baby toes) don't work well with any of the styles that accommodate my very narrow heal.  I use them for injury days and tape the toes when I have to. 
    Being a petite person is good for everything except your feet!  (my kick on the swim is not so good either!)  anyway, the Newtons are wide in the front and give me some spring and cushion although the Altras are made for my foot... although there is no spring in those at all!  My thin socks (Bella's) seem to work well for all of these although I like the CEP's for running races that are full length...
    Sorry, this is TMI! but Hokas are really cool for someone with normal feet  :)
  • Yes I am chilling.  Two half marys and some weekend fun rides, routine swim and biking during winter.  Hopefully go ski.  Next race is May
  • Thank you for the update! I thought I had replied to your original post, but it didn’t show up. I think you just got after it too much too soon. There’s no need for you to run longer than 45 minutes at this point. You have had such a year, but your body is ready for almost anything. Most of all, I think it is ready for a break!

    Thank you for the insight on the shoes, I had no idea.The Newton’s are also my favorite shoe, but I can’t take the metatarsal pads.

    Let us both continue to chill!
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