Good morning!
I might have had to read back over my motivation article this morning when, at 6 am, Christie pages my room telling me its time for our “marathon”. I ignored her for a few minutes and then got up, got geared up, ate traditional pre-run snack (wheat bread with pb) and we were out the door.
Sooo….before we left, I slid in another stability pad into my orthotics per doctor’s advice. I knew I should have worn blister pads but Christie convinced me medical tape was the same thing so I taped up my feet and was off……..BIG MISTAKE.
The first 3.5 miles went by really fast and I was feeling really really good. I was able to control my speed and my endurance was better than its ever been. Until…..the blisters started. I tried to ignore the pain at first but then around 4.5 miles I had to stop on the side of the road and evaluate the situation. I had two HUGE blisters on each foot, giant sized blisters totally covering each of my heels and then two on the same spot where the orthotics were rubbing them on the bottom of my foot. Major major ouch.
Christie tried to convince me to stop and she would run ahead, get the car and pick me up but I refused, telling her “if Tiger Woods can win a tournament with a dislocated knee, I can run the last two miles with blistered covered feet.” Again…bad idea, Jenna. Bad idea.
Feet started bleeding at mile 6 and finally I was forced to take off my shoes and walk BAREFOOT the last mile home. I was soooo mad because my endurance was there but I knew if I kept going I would have to take this whole week off for my feet to heal so I sucked up my pride and stopped. Sad, because it there was only a mile left but it seriously felt like someone was slicing my feet with razor blades.
I guess if its not the shins its somethin’ else, huh? Bahhhhh
Moral of the story: medical tape is NOT the same thing as a blister pad and I need to buy some moleskine asap. Needless to say, I’ll definitely be going sneaker-less for the next couple days. 🙁
Post-marathon breakfast was french toast! I used 2 eggs, a splash of soymilk, vanilla extract and cinnamon with 12 grain bread—
I forgot I left a quart of pure maple syrup here last winter! yayyyyy! 🙂
So, total miles run last week actually were 17, my most ever. I sort of forgot that my long run was last Sunday in Boston because usually I run on Saturdays. This week I’ll get back to my regular schedule though of Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday.
The weather is beautiful and we are heading out on the boat for awhile today for a little water skiing and sunshine. 🙂
***
Be sure to bookmark the new Fitnessista site!! Gina, I feel your blog headache…I’ve been there!
Happy Saturday!!
Cait (Cait's Plate)
August 22, 2009 at 9:21 amI’ve never tried moleskin but I’ve heard it does wonders! Sorry about the medical tape mishap 🙁
Still – 17 miles last week! Awesome!! 🙂
Have fun on the boat!
Lizzie
August 22, 2009 at 9:31 amOne thing I figured out pretty quickly when I started running was that each run is different and they’re not all going to be great (especially when it’s an official race – I have definitely had highs and lows this year!). Once I kind of got over that, while it’s still disappointing, it’s not AS beat-myself-up-over disappointing. And I learn along the way. You did an amazing job to get as far as you did and deserve that yummy looking breakfast! Not to mention getting to 17 miles. Hope your feet feel better soon.
Ellen (Peace In Motion)
August 22, 2009 at 9:36 amaww poor feet 🙁 I hope the heal fast!
holly the healthy everythingtarian
August 22, 2009 at 9:38 amsorry about the horrible run – we’ve all been there 🙁
however, the french toast looks like it made up for it somewhat and have a fabulous weekend!
Wine Dog
August 22, 2009 at 9:47 amMy feet hurt reading that and I haven’t run since 1994.
emily - eatventures
August 22, 2009 at 9:52 amYuck, sorry about your blisters, that sounds awful. Could you maybe try to wear peds under your socks too?
Amanda
August 22, 2009 at 10:00 amOuch – my best friend and I trained for a half-marathon together last fall and she had orthotics to help her knees/hips. When her doc made a small adjustment she had the same issue – HUUGE blisters. I would definitely try the moleskin thing … and also make sure you have really good socks. I wear Wright Socks which have 2 really thin layers of fabric – so the layers rub against each other, not your foot. I will ONLY wear these to run .. even if they’re dirty haha. Have a fun day!
Madelin @ What is for breakfast?
August 22, 2009 at 10:01 amYour poor feet :(. I got blisters every run when I first got my orthodics. It just takes time for your feet to get used to them I suppose. I used to wear 2 pairs of sock a lot!
Samia
August 22, 2009 at 10:01 amRemember that Tiger gets paid A LOT of money to win a tournament with a dislocated knee!
Nikki
August 22, 2009 at 10:04 amI don’t know if Compeed is available where you live, but they do great blister plasters that you put on and they totally take away the pain of the blister, I highly recommend them.
Christina MINDFUL LIVING
August 22, 2009 at 10:05 amouch…sounds painful. i buy the blister band-aids. works well for me. i havent had french toast in forever….i love it though. i think that is in order soon haha
Susan
August 22, 2009 at 10:11 amAww, I’m sorry the run was a bust! Don’t worry about missing a mile. Lots of miles get lost during training plans, but it usually doesn’t add up to much come race day 🙂 Preventing injuries is always numero uno!!
lyssa
August 22, 2009 at 10:30 amI am a runner as well, ran my first full marathon at the end of may. I used to have problems with getting tons of blisters on my heals and more so on the arches of my feet. It wasnt until I got fitted at fleet feet did i stop having blisters completely, maybe its the shoe thats giving your feet the blisters?
Adi (oatonomy.com)
August 22, 2009 at 10:30 amSorry to hear about the blister pain — that sounds awful. Hopefully that awesome looking french toast cheered you up! 🙂
Evan Thomas
August 22, 2009 at 10:31 amCongrats on the new PR! That always feels great
Tami
August 22, 2009 at 10:39 amJenna…I feel as though we are “sole” sisters right now…I, too, am healing shin splints and I, too, have gotten a HUGE blister from my orthotics! I got the blister from the orthotics I bought at P/T, but I have since been fitted for custom ones and am waiting for them to come in. Moleskin has kind of helped me, but I ran 3.5 miles this morning with the Moleskin over the blister (that I thought was healed) and now I have a blister in that same spot in the new skin…argh! I definately feel your pain! Here’s to fast recovery for us BOTH!
Jess in NYC
August 22, 2009 at 10:40 amBlisters are painful! Hopefully, your getting them now so that you won’t get them on race day. Have a great time out on the boat.
Emily
August 22, 2009 at 10:41 amBlisters are definitely the worst – I can usually work through most things on a run (cramps, a cold, etc), but blisters stop me in my tracks! You’re pretty tough to have kept going as long as you did! 🙂
BethT
August 22, 2009 at 10:43 amBUMMER. I got the biggest blister ever once while running – it completely engulfed my entire pinkie toe. Just don’t be tempted to pop them in the hope they’ll heal faster.
Maria
August 22, 2009 at 10:56 amAwww I’m sorry to hear about your feet 🙁 But hey, 6 miles is still a great distance! That french toast with maple syrup looks awesome!
carrie
August 22, 2009 at 11:05 amWright socks and Body Glide. I did a marathon last year was blister free.
Body Glide is a life saver in other ways as well. On higher mileage days, you will be surprised at all the things that rub – sports bra, shirt arm holes, waist band. I didn’t have any rubbing until I started doing 18 milers.
Good luck.
kay (eating machine)
August 22, 2009 at 11:19 amouch! that sounds painful! I hope your feet heal fast!
Sarah
August 22, 2009 at 11:24 amJohnson & Johnson makes blister blockers that are great. I have had huge blisters from running (or regular shoes), but with the blister pads I can keep on schedule.
I heartily recommend them and you should be able to find them in any CVS, Target, Walmart, or pharmacy!
Julia
August 22, 2009 at 11:29 amThat french toast looks great!
And running bare foot…wow, tough cookie!
HeatherDee
August 22, 2009 at 11:32 amBodyglide is the best!!! I rub my feed down with it before every long run and I haven’t had a blister in ages. I’m so sorry, I hope they heal quickly!
cali
August 22, 2009 at 11:38 amEh, blisters are crappy. But a 6 mile run and a weekly high of 17 = awesome. That’s a huge accomplishment. Don’t allow your expectations (7 miler) spoil the awesomeness of your accomplishments! Way to go Jenna. 🙂
Dana (www.eatsleepgetfit.com)
August 22, 2009 at 11:41 amThanks for posting a link to gina’s site, I couldn’t find it!
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat)
August 22, 2009 at 11:43 amOuch! So sorry to hear about that! You are a trooper for pushing through. I hope they heal quickly.
Shannon
August 22, 2009 at 11:44 amA painful run is not a fun way to start the day. But it is great that your endurance was there. To have run a 17 miles this week and still feel like you have the endurance for today’s 7 miles is definitely something to be proud of!
Kelly Olexa
August 22, 2009 at 11:50 amOMG just reading about your feet hurts!! Ouch!! Take it easy girl!
😉
HHC
August 22, 2009 at 11:52 amI absolutely agree with Bodyglide! It’s a great preventative measure. My feet generally blister in the same spots, so it’s very easy to just rub some on before I lace up and hit the road. Without it I won’t get more than a couple miles.
I hope your feet get better!
andmarie
August 22, 2009 at 11:57 amAww, your poor feet! Blisters suck! Here’s hoping they heal quickly!
Stephanie
August 22, 2009 at 12:05 pmOh man, have fun on the boat… it is so rainy and drab here! French toast = perfect Sat meal…. true that.
Maryclaire
August 22, 2009 at 12:18 pmI am a new reader of your blog and am training for a fall marathon as well — I was right with ya in having to turn back early this morning on my long run as well. It is frustrating at the time, but will be better to help keep you injury-free for the future. Be sure to rest up and I am confident you will be back out there soon!
Traci
August 22, 2009 at 12:53 pmBlister solution: Ouch! I hate blisters! I was telling No Meat Athelete about my solution…pick up some lancetes and alchohol. Wash the blister with the alchohol then pierce the blister with the lancete (just a little pin hole) then drain the blister. Rinse with alchohol again and put a bandaid on. You have to repeat the process a couple of times but it works. I make sure to wear bandaids the first few times running after the process but it really has worked great for me. Good luck!
Cynthia (It all changes)
August 22, 2009 at 1:00 pmEeek and ouch! I learned that lesson the hard way too. Sorry your feet are bad. Take it easy on them for as long as they need. It’s better than trying to get out again too soon and getting worse.
And Moleskin is a God send. I got some this week and it helped with blisters I just got.
Jolene (everydayfoodie.ca)
August 22, 2009 at 1:49 pmOoooh, ouch. Sorry to hear about your feet. You must be one strong woman to push through until the point of bleeding – yikes! I don’t think I could have done it. I hope your feet heal quickly!
KatieF
August 22, 2009 at 2:22 pmYikes…that happened to me once when I had to tape my ankle for Achilles tendonitis. Take it easy for a few days and invest in gauze pads if needed for a little extra cushion.
Emily
August 22, 2009 at 3:11 pmOuch!! I love moleskin. My boyfriend gave me his pack about a year ago, and I`ve only been using it for my regular shoes right now. The amount of blisters I`ve gotten since then has decreased to almost none.
Lizzy
August 22, 2009 at 3:49 pmouchie!!! i hope your feet are feelin better!
Megan
August 22, 2009 at 5:01 pmOh Jenna, I am so sorry to hear that you got blisters on your run! Ow ow ow 🙁 But in my opinion you still got a great run in!!! And you had some french toast…sounds like a good morning to me!!
Jenna
August 22, 2009 at 8:09 pmouch jenna! that is no fun when you know you have the endurance to finish but something gets in your way :/ the worst!
jenna
Daria (Summer of the CSAs)
August 22, 2009 at 8:50 pmPlain old vaseline does wonders for blister prevention – I coat problem areas in it and it keeps me blister-free.
Lacey
August 23, 2009 at 12:07 pmVASELINE!!! i see you’ve already gotten this tip but i thought i’d chime in just to hammer it home– it seriously really works and can’t beat the price. but make sure your blisters HEAL first before you use it cuz you don’t want to be putting it on open bloody sores. so give your feet a rest, let the blisters heal/flatten and then the next time you go running just COVER any blister prone areas with vaseline– use LOTS — and then put your socks on and you will be good to go. 🙂
kathleen
August 23, 2009 at 12:21 pmNow might be a good time to try barefoot running on an indoor track or grassy surface!
My husband couldn’t figure out why he has recurring knee injuries from running and I am never injured. The doctors told him he wasn’t made for running, (the usual schpeel). We did some research and there’s a “new” school of thought out there that running shoes actually cause a lot of running injuries from plantar fasciitis to knee injuries to shin splints. The logic behind it is that when you run barefoot you fall into more efficient stride. Mid-foot to forefoot, back straight, slightly leaning foreward while running in shoes, most people tend to heel strike which causes all sorts of problems. He’s been trying it and his knee doesn’t hurt but his calves and muscles he hadn’t been using because he ran on his heels are killing him…
Here are some interesting links.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1170253/The-painful-truth-trainers-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barefoot_running
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/