About Fascia

Key Words: Fascia, Ice Baths, The Little Pains
Word Count: 422


My angry left heel and hamstring continued from Wednesday into Thursday. I decided that unless it improved considerably, I would not run on Saturday. In short, no improvement, so I didn't run.

My problem is, I'm fairly certain, plantar fasciitis. I've mentioned this heel pain before, and it's been with me, at least after long runs, for most of the Spring/Summer. I'm sure I could have ran through the pain, but I decided instead of limping through 13 miles and then next week's training, I would rest up and go hard after next week's workouts. Next weekend calls for the famous HoustonFIT 21 miler, which I will not do, but I do plan to give 13-15 miles a shot.

So instead of running, I spent a decent amount of time on the stationary bike, and even dodged the rain today for long enough to get my real bike out (though, the last five minutes were in a decent downpour). I also did a back/bicep workout routine today, and have committed to trying to eat better for the next two weeks so I can drop a few pounds (I'm about five pounds heftier than I wanted to be for Chicago, and hey, those pounds do weigh on the old plantar fascia).

I hope my surprising fascia flare up will ultimately be a good thing. After years of post run knee pain, I switched to stability shoes and seem to have control of that problem now. I'm hoping to be able to say the same about this foot problem in the near future. I've purchased some inserts for my dress shoes, and have noted that this foot pain started the week after I DID NOT take my now usual ice bath after a long run; me thinks I'll start that tradition up again, just in case. In short, I've started to notice that doing the little things (improved shoes, ice baths, foot inserts, protein powder) could stop some minor, but cumulative injuries. The tough part is being dedicated enough to stick to the little things that stop the little pains.

For this coming week, I'm toying with running tomorrow morning, but I may opt for the bike instead. I certainly want to do some kind of interval run (Tuesday's speed work) and a tempo run, before Saturday's long run. After Saturday, I'll be on the downhill slope.

Chicago Marathon, four weeks from today!