Happy Feet

So......I have "pigeon toes."  My feet have always kind of curved inward.  Running has further defined this natural shape of my feet - my pinky toes look like they are going to forever merge with my fourth toes.  When I was running 10+ miles per week this past spring,  I developed a little corn-like thing on the underside of my fourth toes where that pinky toe was rubbing against it.  Not fun.

This week I have taken back to the pavement.  I have two pairs of shoes:  my old sauconys that I trained in Jan-March.  Then I went to a specialty store, had them analyze my gait/feet and ended up with some $165 brooks shoes with inserts.  I over-pronate and my arch is somewhat flat.  I could never love the Brooks though for some reason.  So this time I have gone back to my sauconys although I did get a new pair in the same model.

I don't know if it is the shoes - maybe the sauconys don't offer enough support.  maybe it is because i took about three months off of running.  maybe it's because my feet are shaped all wonky.  but my biggest obstacle to getting back to running is my darn feet.  they burn.  my heels hurt, my ankles hurt.  I try to pay attention to my strike, to my posture, etc to see if I can adjust myself and make them not hurt. But they do.  Badly.

Tonight I ran 4 miles in about 52 minutes.  24 minutes of that were the walking breaks to ease the foot pain.  Cardiovascular-wise I could run faster and farther than I have been able to.  I don't have to stop and walk because I am out of breath or winded, but because it feels like I am running through burning coals.   I am hoping and praying that my feet get in the game.  I want to see more of this in the mirror:

In the dance studio waiting for the girls after my run.

Ankles

So today was my second "run" in three days after taking a LONG break (maybe 6-8 weeks since I ran). During that break I didn't do so well with food. I haven't weighed at home, but according to the scale at the dr. last week I am up about 20 pounds since early May.

Sigh.

 I am so tired of this battle. I completely understand how people get to be really overweight. It is a daily choice and when faced with life and job stress and depression and whiny kids and financial stress and a messy house and grocery shopping and sports practices and church and the list goes on and on...it's so easy to slip into bad habits. I am thankful that I am still about 20 pounds lighter than my highest-ever weight. I am thankful that I have renewed enthusiasm to pick up my weapon and fight again.

 Two observations about running:
 1) One of the reasons I quit running was the humidity. I live in the South and I found it super hard to run in the humidity. I am so thankful for a break from the heat and humidity. It's still hot, but the air isn't as thick.
 2) The hardest part about running for me after a hiatus or when upping the distance is the pain in my ankles. It doesn't feel like an injury, just soreness. I am used to soreness AFTER exercise, but this is pain during exercise. I remember this past Spring when I was really building my endurance how the pain in my legs slowly transitioned to this unbelievable feeling of strength while running. I cannot wait for that transition to happen again this time.

 Saturday I did 4-5 miles and probably ran about 1.5 - 2 miles of that. My overall pace was about at a 14.5 minutes/mile.

 Today I didn't have as much time and did about 2.5 miles. I think I ran about 1.5 of that for a pace of 14 minutes/mile. It already felt better!

 Once again I find myself thinking of goal-setting and digging in for the fight. I am going to try a different approach this time. I am still formulating my plan, but I hope it is one that can finally result in success and true change from the inside-out.