Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Recovery...and...Taper

I guess this will be the theme of the next three weeks. Actually, so far this week it's been all recovery - which leads to a drastic taper. This isn't the way I planned it, but sometimes toes get in the way. I had planned to run this morning, and maybe tomorrow. Instead I slept in this morning. Tomorrow is still up in the air. I will admit I am feeling a little anxiety over my toe. It is so disgusting that I am not willing (!) to photograph it. After much thought, I performed some self-surgery last night. I know, I know! I shouldn't do that. I did it anyway. The top of my toe had a protruding calloused and scabbed mess over the nail bed. The 50K produced a blister underneath. It was all wiggly and shifty. It was catching on blankets and when I had to wear them, socks - it even stuck out with a bandaid on. I decided that it would only get more damaged while running - because it was sticking out, and because it could move freely. I figured if it moved around while I am running it would end up worse than last weekend. I cleaned the scissors and the site with rubbing alcohol, and then I took the gnarly mess off. Yuck and double yuck. This is Wednesday - I think -hope- it will be healed by Sunday. It's bright red and really not too painful, but looks a little scary. We'll see. Worst case scenario is I don't run Eugene and I blow my four week streak. I guess I can live with that if I have to.

I have taken some action though. I ordered the Fixing Your Feet book. I'm on the search for Hydropel (which I am not finding and would order, but to get it here on time would cost more than the product). I asked my doc for a referral to a sports medicine podiatrist. I sure hope he remembers the sports medicine part.

Thank you to everyone for the great support of my decision not to 50K. Of course, by the next day I was second-guessing myself. Was it really that bad? Could I build up to it? Maybe it felt worse because I was tired? Don't worry though, talking it through with Eric confirmed my decision. He said it was that bad, he could hear my "funny" breathing when I ran (that's the breathing that Sonya instructs everyone to listen for, because she's learned over the years that it is the herald of the heart) and he could hear me struggling for breath when I walked. It reminds me of a couple years ago - like clockwork, my chest would tighten and my breathing would start to go right about an hour and 15 minutes. I tried to run past it, I tried to slowly, slowly build up to it and nothing would work. Figure, at my pace then, an hour and 15 minutes was just over six miles. Sometimes, it'd be that way at the end of five miles. If I'm having problems now at 28 miles, then I really have nothing to complain about! (for those of you who are newer to my blog and don't have the history, it's a long story - you can read about it here and here if you are interested.)

Can you tell I'm in that anxiety-producing taper stage?

This weekend's plans are exciting. My crazy husband is running the 50 mile at Capital Peak on Saturday and the marathon in Eugene on Sunday. Our crazy friend Rob is running the 50K at Capital Peak, then catching a nap while Eric finishes, so he will be awake to drive them to Eugene to run the marathon on Sunday. Our sane friend, Steve, is running the 50K with them, but has the smarts to call it a weekend after that. Eugene should be a blast - there are a whole bunch of Y Runners going - I think 13, plus a few supporters. We'll be meeting Sarah and Darrell for a meal or coffee - it's kind of loosey-goosey on the planning with that many people involved. Plus, it could be 10:00 that night before Eric and Rob make it to town. Lest you think I am alone in running a 50K last week and a marathon this week - Melissa, Michelle S. and Patch are all doing the same.

I believe Eugene is about a six-hour drive from here. We are going to have to come back Sunday after the race - I have to be at a conference-retreat thingie for a statewide Parent Ed Coordinators meeting Monday morning, and Rob has to be at school. Eric was going to take the day off till he found out we both had to be back, so he'll be at work Monday morning too. I am going to get a sub for Pilates though - I really don't want to get up that early, then try to drive myself for an hour to get to the conference. I'd fall asleep for sure!

Signing off from the cloudy town of Puyallap, where some runners are recovering, some runners are tapering and some runners are just plain nuts!

25 comments:

Run Momma Run said...

You should be able to get to Eugene in about 4- 4.5 hours actually. I'll be curious to hear how the Hydropel works for you. I have similar foot issues...and it is getting silly putting toenail polish on the spot where my nail is supposed to be! :-)

Wes said...

and you forgot "some runners are self-surgeons" :-)

E-Speed said...

hope that toes heals up quick! It sounds super painful.

Olga said...

I do these surgeries all the time. Enjoy weekend and tell Rob not to kill himself.

iJuls said...

It sounds like you made the right decision. Take care.

Laufenweg said...

ooooh! do take care of your tootsies! don't get an infection!

Jessica DeLine said...

I had to skip over the part about foot self surgery. Eww! Oh - and I'm going to be up in Seattle for a week mid-June. I'd like to maybe meet up with some of you Seattle area bloggers!

maniac hippo said...

The joys of being a Maniac - patching yourself up in 6 days to go out again.

I had a real surprise as far as blisters from Mt Si. I finished thinking that my prep was perfect - no problems at all. But when I took my socks off it was REALLY ugly, weeping blisters, badly swollen toes. :shrugs:

If you strike out on the hydropel, let me know. I'm not sure I'll get to Eugene this weekend but you'll be driving by a mile from my house. If you need I can meet you right at the freeway offramp and donate my tube to you on your way south. Seriously, I can't think of a better cause and would be delighted if you took me up on this.

Jon said...

*LOL* Guess I'm not the only one sporting the duct tape after Mt Si and trying to do a recovery/taper for Tacoma City. :-)

Congrats on your finish at Mt Si too!

Dori said...

Pre lives! I haven't been to Eugene since 1973. It wasn't until recently that I learned it was a running mecca. I'm glad you're finally going to consult with a podiatrist. As I was reading this post, I was thinking, "Girl, you've got to get to a podiatrist!" Do you wear orthotics? S/he may prescribe them for you. Try soaking your feet in some Epsom salts and warm water--it will draw impurities out.

Good luck this weekend.

Sarah said...

Sending blister healing vibes your way! Soaking them in warm/hot salt water will help dry them out. If you can't find the hydropel, I'll recommend again "the potion". You'll find the recipe here: http://www.acrosstheyears.com/andy.html#blisters

See you Saturday! : )

JustRun said...

Awww, your poor feet! I wish I knew of some magical cure. I'm glad you're taking some [taper] time off them. You can handle it, you'll probably feel better than ever!

I hope you all aren't too tired on Monday... go for the caffiene! :)

(Also, just in case you didn't know (which you probably did because, duh) but I was just joking on the "pansy" comment on my blog. You are one of my running mentors- one day I hope to be half the pansy you are.) :)

Anonymous said...

Zinc! Zinc! Get your daily dose of zinc to speed the healing process.

Sounds like the surgery was gross, but neccessary. I hope it heals up solid for you!

Good luck this weekend, and, who knows, this recovery-induced taper might be exactly what you need for a speedy marathon!

Meghan
www.running-blogs.com/meghan

Jenny, Maniac #401 said...

Okay, I think you might be in your "nuts" category, but not "plain nuts," You'd be chocolate or maybe Aquaphor covered "nuts!"
Okay, Seriously, I've heard the "funny breathing," and if that is what you were like for the last three miles....( I'm shaking my fist at you and I am sure Sonja is too)You are wise to choose to hold off on the 50k... or at least walk the last 5 miles!
You are much better about saying you won't run when you are NOT running, cause if you were out there on the course, even with the breathing, there's no stopping you stubborn burly woman!!
I hope those toes are healing too. You've gotten lots of good advice on the matter. See ya soon.

Jack said...

I have a similar toe, but it is not bothering me in the moment. I just received the "Fixing Your Feet" book from Amazon, I look forward to reading it if I ever find time.

When I grow up (or before I grow up) I want to be fit enough to run a 50-miler on Saturday and a marathon on Sunday like Eric ;-) Funny, I don't find it to be crazy at all...

Darrell said...

I understand the forced taper. I haven't put in a mile since Sunday with Joe due to this nasty little cold of mine.

Hope that toe heals up. I am surprised that there wasn't a picture, though. I love that it freaks Rob out so much.

Jenny, Maniac #401 said...

Michelle, a PS to my other post. If you want to stop to get that hydropel from Hippo on the way, it is okay with me!
Jenny

Thomas said...

It speaks volume about your friends and family that the one running a 50k is regarded as the sane one. And just imagine: people here have to cheek to say that I am a lunatic. How unfair!

That toe must be really bad if you're not putting up a photo. That's surely a first.

runliarun said...

These races are so close to each other it seems you are recovering from one at the same time you are tapering for the next.

I won't say anyting about the toes. If you did not have the nerve to post a picture, it must be serious. So I am confident you will not be reckless. Since you need them for running, if not for any other reason.

maniac hippo said...

::looks up at Jenny's comment::

If you still need the hydropel you can call me as you pass through Longview or Kalama and I can meet you at the freeway offramp so that you don't have to crowd your schedule going down to Eugene. Also, does Jenny need to borrow my Garmin?

Seeing the schedule all you folks are keeping, I want to make sure you are taken care of so you can be successful.

Anonymous said...

There is some great information in this article (and more on the site)-

Blisters, Black Toenails and Sodium

by Karl King

http://www.succeedscaps.com/blister
s.html

The "Sane" 55K runner hehe

Joe said...

Yeah, I missed the photo too.

You have good sense about this, Michelle...pay attention to the blister once you get your shoe on. You'll make the right choice.

You are sane...Eric is the truly crazy one :-)

Anonymous said...

have fun this weekend!!!!

~concrete angel~ said...

Great pictures!! Good luck in your next adventure :)

Chad said...

Take care of those feet and have fun in Eugene.