Girl Passing on Left (FULL) (Page 68)

I forgot to mention about HR monitoring is that by looking at my average HR over time I've been able to see a general decrease in HR for a similar effort. My resting HR is insanely low (40's). Apparently my body thinks I'm a well trained athlete. Go figure! ;)

They make a quick release mount for the Forerunner that allows you to either snap it into a wrist band or onto a bike mount. I have a mount on each of my 3 bikes. I have the cadence unit on my 2 road bikes but not on the commuter bike.

For a triathlon I leave the Garmin on the bike turned on and wear my Ironman lap watch for the swim. I also start with the Garmin wristband on. I use the Ironman watch to get my swim and T1 times and then use the Garmin for bike, T2, and run. When I'm done with the bike I pop the Garmin out of the bike mount and into the wristband. I don't yet know what it would be like wearing the wristband under a wetsuit.

I don't think the Garmin app that shipped with my unit worked on the Mac and I was not very impressed with the free online program. I think the Ascent is Mac-specific.

darn you Amy....you have me boo hoo'ing....every time I see anything related to the ironman...not sure why...but I cry like a baby! Dont get me wrong...it is VERY motivating!!!...but all I can think of is Dorothy!! and my brother!

I do have to say...that if you have not been to an ironman competition...try to go! this truly is the MOST motivating race...the venues are incredible...tons of triathlon gear...plus you get to witness some of the most AMAZING athletes at work! I cant wait to go and watch my brother, daughter and niece race in Cozumel....I will make sure to bring lots of tissues! haha

all welcome to come hang with us...we have a nice big guest room with a nice big comfy king bed just waiting on ya! you can even bring Link and Lexi-loo. Our dog would love the company! we are planning on moving to Texas in the next few years...so dont wait too long! plus we can show you some awesome riding spots around here!

Offthegrid - 2009-02-25 5:59 AM Thanks for the comments, everyone, but I've been there, done that with plantar fasciitis. I feel like I've tried everything and I don't know that there's anywhere to go from here. Sorry this is such a long post. But I'm venting, OK? Seen three docs, two physical therapists, four running stores (some multiple times, and now I *only* speak with the owner at one of the shops), had custom orthotics, everything. *sigh* First doc said it'll go away in time. Second doc gave me custom orthotics and I found out that my left leg is 9 mm shorter than the right. My left foot is also 3/4 of a size smaller than the right. But the leg length discrepancy really isn't that much. But the orthotics made the legs even. But the heel pain never went away. Tried both with motion control and stability shoes. Third doc said the orthotics are all wrong and that I should be in cushioned shoes and not motion control or stability. Switched to Mizuno Wave Riders and they are honestly the most comfortable running shoes I've ever had. I don't overpronate on the foot I tore the PF - according to the running store and two of the docs. But that leg (and foot) is shorter. I slightly overpronate on the other side but only have a small callus on the big toe (the telltale sign). I have calluses on the outside of my feet (on the ball, under the little toe). Those calluses have actually substantially less hard with the most recent switch in shoes. My shoes are only 2 months old and have very few miles on them. I was barely jogging at all, so I don't think it's from overpronation ... not sure what's it's from other than possibly doing a hard elliptical workout which I don't normally do. Or, from overstretching. I do not wear supportive shoes at work (not heels, but just not supportive shoes) and I plan to buy some Danskos or Merrells this weekend to wear at work. I'm at a desk all day, though. My personal opinion after all this, is that it boils down to I have extreme tight calves, combined with a low center of gravity because I'm pear-shaped. The tight calves probably come from doing a lot of cycling in previous years and *never* stretching. When I went to PT the first time, the PT said that a couch potato has a dorsiflexion of 10 degrees. An athlete 20 degrees. I was at -3. The 2nd round of PT I started I think at 5 degrees. The home therapy stuff, I ordered Trigger Point and also this really weird foot trainer thing that looks like a golf club. I figure it certainly can't hurt. Also ordered another night splint so I can wear them on both sides. I already have the Stick, but I have a hard time getting a good calf massage that way. I have seen a chiro for A.R.T., but the office closes at 6, and I generally feel rushed because I'm one of the last appointments of the day. I don't know that they would do it on both calves. I am looking now into finding a sports massagist, but not exactly sure where to find a good one. My training partner doesn't know of any. I've called the chiro to recommend one. This is where my calf pain is -- on BOTH legs, but much worse on the side that I tore the PF. It's in the tibialis posterior muscle: (Edited because the picture was huge)

 wow Susie...sounds like you are doing all the right things! sorry you are having such issues! take it slow and steady...I cant imagine overstretching...I stretch before I run for 10-15 mins...then I start out like a turtle in my runs..almost a fast walk....by my second mile I am running. and then at the end of my runs I will try and walk 1/4-1/2 mile and then go home and stretch on my rollers. You may want to not use the elyptical for your next few visits to see if that may be a part of it....try using the treadmill or just going for a speed walk. build up slowly to that run! it took me almost a month before I could run a mile! hang in there....hope your day is a good one.

one last thing: you icing it? and taking aleeve or advil?

Susie, I don't know if this will help you or not, but our local races always have sports massage set up for afterwards.  It wouldn't help you to know if they were good or not, but you could see if your local races do something similar, then try them out and see if they are any good.  Just a suggestion to try to locate a sport massagist...

I was reading another thread under the Triathlon Talk forum about two-a-day workouts.  Does anyone do this?  I actually love two-a-day workouts, and it seems that a lot of the folks talking over there do too.  A couple of funny comments were:

1.  Someone felt like they were slacking off if they only did one workout in a day.  I can relate to that!  Sometimes I beat myself up if I can't get out of work in time to get a workout in.

2.  They are doing lots more laundry when they do two-a-days.

I really hate it when doctors can't agree >8(  Have you considered trying the orthotics in the Mizunos? When I started running I bought severe motion control shoes because I overpronate. I still had ankle pain and ended up wearing orthotics. When it became time to replace my shoes I tried the same ones again but discovered that I didn't really need so much motion control when I was using the orthotics; I felt over corrected. I now use the orthotics in some medium control shoes and feel just right.

Susie...I was talking with my brother this morning and he told me that he also has the plantar fascitis issues...only twice...but each time he got a cortizone shot and it helped tremendously....may be an option?? hope you can get this under control...cuz I can see that if you do...you will be one AMAZING athlete! you have the heart that is for sure!!!

My wrist doctor said that basically you can do three cortisone shots to one area (timespan?) but after that you risk causing the tendon to fray or break.

Cortizone shots help some, but it basically ruined my elbow.  I have tennis elbow (but the more I read I think maybe even bursitis ?)....... I got the first shot and over a few days it basically ate all the fleshy fat (not much ayway) that was on my elbow.  It also turned my elbow where the shot was a bright white.

Next time I had the shot it turned my arm dark brown in just that spot and now I have no soft flesh on the outisde of my elbow bone.    Personally I'd never get another one...........

HOWEVER , I am not sure if the fact that I have graves disease matters......... things effect me different since I have had it (four years and counting.......STUPID THYROID) ! lol

That said I know a couple of folks who have had one shot and lasted YEARS !

If the instore bike fits, it might be worth getting on it if the cost isn't that much more. Then it's done and you're off and running...I mean riding.

I do feel very fortunate to have Coach Kelly...she has provided lots of great tips and she even got in the water on our drill day to demo each drill for the visual learners. Drill day was by far the workout that I felt helped the most, the next would be when she filmed us and then showed us what we were doing- it was great to even pause mid stroke to see where our arm positions were. I had a lot of room for improvement (and still do) but I was thrilled last night to get my 200m down to 5:15- that's about 2 min faster than when I did it in September. Aside from the coaching sessions, I have found it really helpful to also watch videos and of course get in the water. While I am no expert I find myself watching other people's strokes at the pool too. Keep at it is the best thing....if you're lucky to find a great coach- awesome!

Hey Susie,

Wow, it does look like you have tried a lot of different things. It must be pretty frustrating to not have it figured out and even more so when the doctors/experts don't agree. Here's a couple of other things to throw out...accupuncture? Graston technique? Are there any reputable coaching/sports therapy groups that do a gait analysis specifically for runners? I know that we have a couple in my city and I have been told that they do a good job in helping you understand your biomechanics and what you can do to optimize your gait and minimize chance for injury.

No doubt when you have this injury licked you will be a rock star! Don't give up...there is a solution out there.

Careful what you wish for! Don't think we won't come a knockin'! You are too kind....

Great....I am going to have to get me one of those! Thanks!

Not sure what to do about the wetsuit and watch situation...I may need to sacrifice some hydrodynamics (LOL-like it would make a difference for me) and have my watch outside of my wetsuit and take it off coming out of the water as there is no way that I would be able to get the suit off easily otherwise.

I swam 2250m...this would make two days in a row that I swam. I even shared a lane..which I hate to do

I wear my watch with my wetsuit. I dont remember having any troubles getting the wetsuit over it...but then again I have only done a handful of ows!

Susie,

I've been using trigger point therapy to keep my knee problems at bay fairly effectively for the past two months.   It is not always straightforward to identify which muscle is the culprit and sometimes it is tough to figure out exactly how to reach those in the bigger/deeper muscles.   But, once you figure it out, the results are great (at least for me).

 Dan's two cents:

- The best $21 I spent last year was for Julie Donnely's "Pain Free Living" ebook  (yes, another Julie).   See http://www.julstro.com/.    Do not order either "Pain Free Triathlete" or "Pain-Free Runner".  They are both older and all the key points are in Pain Free Living.  You may also want to check out the forums section.  Julie will respond to questions once or twice per week in the forum, but the first thing she will do is refer you to her ebook.

- Per Julie, don't stretch until AFTER you have released the trigger points first.  Her analogy goes something like this:  Think of the muscle as a rope and the trigger point as a knot or contraction.   If you have a knot in a rope and you try to stretch the rope, all you get is a tighter knot.

- There are trigger points for both the Soleus and the Gastroc in relatively close proximity to what you have shown and perhaps you realize that. 

 - "Pain Free Living" associates Plantar Fasciitis with the Tibialis Anterior (not Posterior).  It runs along the outside of the shin bone.  If your material does not show the trigger point for that let me know. 

- Your calf pain may be separate from your plantar fasciitis

- Calf pain can be referred from the gluteus minimus and from the piriformis.   I experienced referral from the gluteus minimus.  It took me 3 days to figure it out it wasn't the Soleus or Gastroc, but when I did, relief was immediate.

- I find it easier to get at the calf muscles when they are relaxed.  I find that I can get deep enough just using my thumbs.    Try laying down (bathtub is convenient too) or sitting down and putting the offending leg on top of your other knee.   For trigger points, you are going after the point that hurts the most and trying to get it to release (30 seconds on, 15 seconds off is what I do).

 Good luck sorting it out. 

When I was taking lessons my coach said to turn your head as if you are trying to look back over your shoulder. I think it's pretty much impossible to lift your head if you do it this way.