Please talk me off the ledge

[Hockeychic]

I know we are over 6 months till marathon weekend but I am starting to freak out a bit. I have about 40 - 50 pds that I need to lose, I am dealing with some slight heel pain. I am not sure what plan to follow, I am starting to lose confidence in myself..... Am I losing it completely????

I think I need a official WISH, kick in the pants, stop feeling sorry for yourself and just do it

 

[Cruella de mom]

First off, breathe deep. You CAN do this.

Now lets tackle the issues as you brought them up.

weight. You are training for a marathon. You will be exercising more. If you are careful and eat sensibly, you WILL lose weight.
Two things that help me to control hunger (and incidently recover faster):
1. Eat something IMMEDIATELY after each work out. I usually share a banana with my running partner since a whole banana is too much. This is tough when you are training in heat but it will affect how hungry you are for the REST OF THE DAY.
2. water water water. Sorry. It isn't glamorous or exciting, but it really helps. When you start craving something, tell yourself you can have it after you drink a big glass of water. Then if you still want it, I bet you eat less.

heel pain. I suffer from a little of this myself. I rarely get more than 400 miles out of a pair of shoe because of it. So first make sure your shoes are ok. Next pay attention to your stride. I tend to run with most of my effort coming from my lower legs. This is bad because the muscles there are not as big as the ones in your upper legs and your good ol glutes. This is part of why I am such a slow runner. If I don't pay close attention to my stride, I end up with super tight calves and that leads to heel pain.
So what do I do for my heel pain? Stretch. I also keep a couple tennis balls under my computer and roll them around with my feet while I work. Be sure to stretch your calves as well as your entire foot as all the facia in there are connected and even one tight tendon can cause problems.

running plans. Follow the one that fits your schedule the best. Or alter one to fit your schedule. There is nothing magic about any specific plan, they are just guidelines. Just have a plan. You should see the mangled mess that is my plan for Chicago. I altered a Higdon plan to fit my schedule and added several weeks to the beginning so that I could take rest weeks (aka vacations) in the middle. Don't stress over the fact that your plan is not the same as anyone elses, neither is your life. Even when I ran with TNT, they abridged the team plan for people based on injuries and work schedules. The important thing is to have a plan, any plan, and to do your best to stick to it.

When I signed up for my first marathon, I had never run more than 6 miles and I had only done that 2 or 3 times. The entire training period I had huge swings between complete panic and complete confidence. I lived with aches in my legs 24/7. I was cranky and mean and scared to death.

My husband copied the message I left on his cell phone when I crossed the finish line that first time and I only have to listen to that message to remember the flood of emotions that I was experiencing. Its worth it. I promise. Its gonna change your life.

 

[lisah0711]

I can't help you with your marathon training but I do know something about heel pain from exercising. I suffered from severe plantar faciitis for almost a year -- I hobbled everywhere I went. I waited too long to get help but you don't have to. See you doctor and/or a physical therapist who can help you get fitted for orthotics to help your heel pain. I had to have a big cortisone shot in my foot -- next time I'll have a baby without an epidural again. But you won't if you can get the inflammation stopped.

I really admire you for training and trying a marathon. I agree with the PP who says by training you will lose weight.

Good luck! And take care of that foot!

 

[tink06]

Cruella de Mom said it all, and very well too!!

I just wanted to add, take a deep breath, and know that you CAN do it!

 

[deekaypee]

Cecilia offered such a comprehensive post--you rock, Cecilia!--that I don't have much to add on the reasoned, rational response to your concerns. But here's a couple of things:

1) Weight Loss & the Lean Meaners. Word. We're there for accountability and the challenge. You have the time to lose the weight, Beth is a great example of doing races and steadily losing weight, and I'll be more than happy to match you glass for glass with the water. (Again, great info, Cecelia.)

2) Hell pain. I agree with the shoes, agree with the stretching regularly. My cross-training focuses on flexibility as well as strength. Makes a big difference. Shoes, too.

3) Yes, a plan. My plan, although still in development, actually uses a longer training period and less time on the pavement than some others. Now's the time to experiment a bit with your pavement/XT mix, see what helps with the pain. I tend to use more elliptical now, when I'm trying to lose weight. Less impact, better for my knees.

4) The mental thing. Oh my gosh, that's the hardest part of the whole thing. Your post is par for the course, btw, and just the kind of feelings I've had (and will have again). Bingham's MfM is a good book for this, because it reminds you how much of a mental challenge this all is. There were times, again like Cecilia, where I was not my finest self. I was mitchy (a combo of mean plus, well, you know ), morose, and scared out of my mind. But there were also times that I felt so impressed with what I'd accomplished that I thought I could rule the world. I pushed myself beyond what I thought I was capable of, and so will you.

Oh, and for the selfish moment, the one where I'll pretend to kick you in the butt? I so want to be there to celebrate with you after you finish!!

 

[twoWDWfools]

Kim - first

You've gotten some great advice already (nice job Cecilia!) and I think most importantly remember -we're all here for you. Whether for support, encouragement, a shoulder or a kick in the pants. I should be looking for all of the above in a few months.

I'm modifying the MfM as it worked well for me going into the full. I can send you what I have since we're both walkers but like has been stated, no one plan is perfect for everyone.

Also, something I find helps with weight loss, cardio and endurance w/o impact is cross training. Specifically for me that's biking. Can do loads of miles w/o any impact which defnitely burns calories and builds endurance. Also see about adding some weight/core work. The stronger your entire body the better.

And keep in mind that sometimes the scale won't move much but your clothes will show the progress.

We all go thru the panic mode but we'll all get thru it together. I was a mess for 3 days before the tri and right up to getting in the water. When I crossed that finish line I was estatic! Felt on top of the world.

That's what we'll feel crossing the line and getting that Goofy medal then getting our sweaty group pic taken - on top of the World!

 

[Duanerice]

When I signed up for my first marathon, I had never run more than 6 miles and I had only done that 2 or 3 times. The entire training period I had huge swings between complete panic and complete confidence. I lived with aches in my legs 24/7. I was cranky and mean and scared to death.

Wow, I could have written that. See you are not alone. I was scared to death for my first marathon and before I started training I hadn't run anything over 6 miles either.

I used the MfM plan for my first also. Good first marathon plan.

You can do it.
enjoy,
Duane

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hey Kim! for the heel pain I hope it goes away soon.

I'm not sure I can add to all of the great advice above but some things that really worked for me while I've been trying to drop the pounds:

- Drink lots water. For me, this meant cutting out diet soda, coffee and juice. I'm not sure why but when I have diet soda and coffee, I just don't feel like drinking water. The water also makes a big difference for me when I go out running and for working out in the gym.

- Snacking. I'm a big snacker. My drawer at work and cupboards at home use to be filled with junk. I replaced the 100 calorie snacks with low fat cheeses, fruits, yogurts and veggies. I also stopped eating after 8PM on weeknights and cut out desserts after dinners.

- Go vegetarian for a couple of meals each week. I found I felt lighter when I ate veggie only meals. It made it easier for me to complete workouts. When I ate red meat, it felt like it would stay with me for days and just made me feel "heavy".

- Cross-train. One thing my PT told me was that your body becomes accustomed to an exercise routine pretty quickly. That means it will find ways to become more efficient at doing that activity and you'll burn fewer calories. I've never had a heel injury before but if you have access to a pool, you could try swimming to keep up your cardio levels if you're not able to run or walk. If you go to a gym, you could try lifting weights - if you do the right kind of weight exercises, you'll get a good cardio workout (trust me). Same with tossing a medicine ball around.

Some other exercises you can do without a lot of equipment - jumping rope, jumping jacks, lunges, squats, planks etc.

I also wanted to add that if the pain doesn't seem to be going away. Have it checked out by a doctor or a PT. You just want to make sure that it's not something more serious. Plus they can also recommended stretches and strenghtening exercises for that area.

Remember we're all here for you!! I can't wait to see all three of your medals after the races!

 

[Steffwalks]

Kim,

Do not panic! John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield have a Goofy training plan! Just google them and you will find it. It is delivered through Active.com in the free calender. It doesn't even start until August!!! I bought the walk/run program! Just keep plugging away, we will get there.

 

[Hockeychic]

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful advice, support, hugs, etc. I am feeling better but still a bit scared, but I will get through it.

One of the reasons I love this team so much is all the wonder support. You guys are all the best!!!!!

 

[DianeL]

Kim for those moments of panic picture your team mates smiling faces. You know if any of us could be standing there in front of you at that moment we'd all be smiling and saying it's ok, you can do this. Picture yourself crossing those finish lines. Picture that crowd of green waiting in the parking lot for after we cross. It's hard when training alone without the team but remember your not alone in this. The team is there and will be there. Course I do tend to go walkabout but the light is always on here

 

[Hockeychic]

Thanks Diane, this team is the best!!!!

 

[windwalker]

Kimmer as a pretty princess you will have a royal escort every step of the way, you will go faster just to get said escort to shut up the boring stories.

You have done halfs with vertually no problems. You are way stronger then you give yourself credit for. This marathon will go just fine, yes it will be uncomfortable toward the end but that's part of the magic of the distance, letting you discover your inner strength.

Just relax get our steps in and enjoy the journey.

Disney Dreaming Panda

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Kim: How bad do you want it? If you really want all those medals including the beautiful Goofy medal than get out there and do it. See a podiatrist for the heel and come up with a game plan for it. Cross train until you are better. Than start slow and steady. As mentioned slowly work on the diet cutting out certain items.

We will see you with all those medals at our beach party Sunday night!

 

[Hockeychic]

Dave, Robert. Thanks guys Feeling alot better today, just a meltdown yesterday, I seem to be having them alot latley, seems to be after I have a stonker of a walk so need to just forget those and move on.

Thanks everyone again!!!!!

 

[mkymsehi]

Kimmer,

Roll your foot on a golf ball for your heel/Plantiar Faciitis pain.

 

[Hockeychic]

Thanks Jeff, I have just started to do that , I hope it works

 

[mkymsehi]

Roll your foot either on a golf ball, or a footwheel (thefootwheel.com).

Sit in a chair, and put the affected foot up on your opposite knee. Using one hand, pull your toes back, and with the other hand, massage the PF tendon in the sore foot. Do a youtube search for PF stretching/massage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FrJs4vE_kM

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=plantar+faciitis&search_type=&aq=f

Freeze water in a plastic water or soda bottle. Roll your foot on the bottle.

Put down a towel on the ground. Scruntch your toes under, and back towards your heel. Pull the towel backwards.

When I get a flair up, I wear a night boot splint.

Marcia uses a support sock.

http://www.thesock.com/

Hope these help.

 

[Hockeychic]

Jeff those are awesome thank you!!!!