Runfessing my Situation

So, yeah, there's a few things I need to confess.....actually, let's just go ahead and runfess them, since they're all running related anyways.

First and foremost.....I've been dealing with a wonky heel for the past month or so. I could tell something was up (in the middle of May). My right heel felt like my left heel did a year ago....kind of "ouchy" after running. Plantar Fasciitis? Heel spur? Just a routine pain in the heel? It didn't hurt much when I was running, but it definitely had some aches and pains while walking.

The timing was not ideal for this (seriously, is the timing ever perfect for such an issue?), but I must runfess, it really hasn't been that big of a deal. My mileage has been dramatically scaled back to the bare minimum, but I was able to do two half marathons on back-to-back weekends without needing a wheel chair (or a stretcher).

 

Upper left, Dam to Dam on June 4th, and above, Grinnell Games on June 11th

So far, so good on the heel feeling better. It's not cured, and it will not be back to "normal" for awhile, but I think I have it under control. I have some stiffness (usually first thing in the morning), but it's not painful. I'm wearing my "comfort" shoes more often than my "sparkly sandals" and I am not over-doing it with my running. Most of my runs are fairly short during the week, and my "long" runs on the weekends (with the exception of my two half marathons) have not been longer than 10 miles.

I have a slew of events coming up in July, one of which is an ultra. As mentioned, I have been dealing with an unexpected drop in mileage (due to the unexpected wonky heel) in recent weeks. And, my ultra is happening in the evening hours (start time is 11:00PM). Let's not forget July is (historically and otherwise) a pretty hot & humid month in the Midwest. Oh, did I mention my ultra is a 12-hour event with no specific finish line, just a continuous 1-mile route we keep running (and repeating) until time runs out?

And guess what?

I need to runfess that I'm not having any anxiety about it. Last year, I ran the 6-hour endurance race at the same event, also with a "healing heel." It wasn't an easy quest, but it was not impossible either. And, it actually was fun conquering that finish line in spite of my less-than-ideal training (due to last year's wonky heel situation). Even with my recent slump in mileage, I feel stronger and in better shape than I was last year.

One of my secret weapons for strength and endurance? Planking... anywhere and everywhere

 Of course, a 12-hour ultra is a different ball game than a 6-hour ultra. Even though I only have one ultra under my belt, I do know the training (and the race itself) are very different than a typical road race. With ultra's, it's more about the endurance and not the speed. It's not only about energy, proper fueling, hydration and strength, but also fatigue...and being able to recognize the early signs of all of these factors and staying ahead of them.

Christmas in July 2015

I will runfess, though, that this is one race I'm not the least bit hopeful to run the entire time (ha ha ha ha ha), but I hope to run as much as possible in the first six hours. I know I will need walk breaks, and I will need to to stop periodically for food and fuel. As mentioned, this is a 1-mile loop, so I won't need to carry anything with me, because I can stop at the aid station every mile if I want to (but I will probably try to go 3-4 miles at a  time). Am I being over confident? Naive? Or just a little crazy? (Probably all of the above)

Even though the wonky heel has altered my training a bit, I must runfess that's it's been kind of fun playing and experimenting with different taping techniques for my heel and arch (even though my arch feels fine, I'm taping it as a means of prevention). Sometimes, I'm able to match my clothing to the tape. Since I'm wearing it anyways, why not make the tape a fashion accessory?

Lastly, I'll just runfess it....I do not think it's a coincidence this wonky heel happened when it did. Typically, I'm not a high-mileage runner. I don't thrive on triple digit monthly mileage. For me, it's more of quest to excel with my running without the wear and tear of numerous miles. My miles for May wound up at the century mark, and that has not happened in over a year. My body has proven (repeatedly) that it does great with moderate mileage and doesn't need the high mileage numbers to maintain its endurance. Lesson learned.

Have you ever gone into a race (slightly) under-trained? Ever done an ultra? How do you feel about mileage...high or moderate?

I'm linking up with Marcia at Marcia's Healthy Slice  for the monthly Runfessions. Gosh, it feels good to get that stuff off my chest and out in the open. Whew! Head over and see what everyone else is Runfessing....