A freak foot injury results in a training intermission

I last ran two weeks ago today. On that day, during my workout (alternating pace progressive tempo, total of 10 miles) the top of my right foot started to hurt. By the time I finished, I couldn't walk. 

Since then, I've been to a medical doctor, my physical therapist and my sports chiropractor. A stress fracture has been mostly ruled out. The theory now is that my shoes--Brooks PureCadence--were too tight and I also tied my shoelaces too tight the morning of my injury. I've learned that the latest PureCadence model has been running about 1/2 too small. I love my Brooks and have worn PureCadence for years. It now seems I will have to give them up. 

I'm working with my coach and we are maintaining my aerobic fitness using the elliptical machine and cycle. And because 90 minutes on an elliptical machine is boring as heck, I'm working on my mental strength. Bonus!

I tried running this past Monday, but stopped less than a minute in because my foot hurt. I'm trying to be positive and not letting go of my goals.
I know I can run a half-marathon (race day=Sept 10) and a marathon (Oct 8) with sub-optimal training and do well. I'm strong, aerobically fit and my mental strength is a lot better than it was last year. Hitting my paces and having awesome workouts that I never believed I could do has helped that. 

This injury seemingly came out of nowhere. I was feeling fine, no nagging pains or niggles before my foot started hurting. To achieve big goals, you have to take risks and sometimes you get too close to the sun. 

We leave for England soon and that has been a magical place for me to come back from injury in the past.  As Kara Goucher says, "Always believe". 

Week 14: Chicago Marathon Training

A quick and dirty low-down on last week's training for the Chicago Marathon. I found out my request to switch to Wave 1 (based on my half-marathon race results) was approved. All that means is an earlier start (by 30 minutes).

I also ran my first 20 miler of this training cycle. This weekend I'm headed for Las Vegas for a Hen Party (bachelorette party, the bride and bridesmaids are flying in from England), I'm curious to see how I do with my training.

Track!

Week 14 (July 31-August 6)

Monday: 5 miles, easy (5.5 miles, 9:21/mi).

Tuesday: 8 miles, easy (8.0 miles, 9:42/mi). 

Wednesday: 2 miles warm-up, 3 x 2 miles @8:15-8:20/mi, 800 meter jog, 1 mile cool-down. Ugh. I blew-up the last set, but overall did okay. Nailed the first two sets. 5th work mile I had to stop. Coach Becki told me that was A-Ok. Last work mile was 7:59/mi though. (Avg pace for 2 miles--8:12/mi, 8:14/mi, 8:09/mi) Total miles=10.5 miles, 8:55/mi.

Thursday: OFF

Friday: 10 miles, easy (10.0 miles, 9:53/mi) + my periodic physical therapy appointment to keep things right.

Saturday: 20 mile long run. Oh boy, running 20 miles the day after running 10 miles really teaches me how to run on tired legs! Friends joined me for the first 10 miles or so. (20.0 miles, 9:56/mi).

I forgot my sunglasses when I started my 20 mi
long run at 4:45 am.

Sunday: 6 miles, easy (6.2 miles, 9:14/mi). Surprisingly, my legs didn't feel as tired. Maybe because I was in San Diego and a new running location. 

Total Weekly Miles: 60.2 miles (9 hours, 37 minutes)
2017 Miles: 928.5 miles 

I've joined the training link up on Eat Pray Run DC. See the link up HERE. Courtney is training for the Berlin Marathon. :)