Foot Pain? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Quick poll for all you runners out there -- do any of you suffer from foot pain?

Specifically, I have been having foot pain for awhile now when I get out of bed or when I stand up after sitting for a long period of time. It isn't a sharp pain, but it is a recognizable mild pain in my foot/heel. Usually it subsides after I walk around for awhile, but it can make for some slow walking right after getting out of bid, out of the car, or out of a chair.

I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced this, and if there is any treatment to help it get better.

Happy Wednesday everyone.

The Running Valet

We were in Ft Worth over the weekend, and had a blast. My buddy and I went to the PGA tournament, while our wives went shopping. One night we were walking around down at Sundance Square, and I kept seeing these guys run past me every now and then. They were in a full on sprint. I thought maybe there was a race going on, but they had white polo shirts on. I probably saw 3 or 4 of these guys zipping past me before I realized that they were valet workers, running to get parked cars for customers. I snapped a picture of one of them:

Running Update -- A Slow Recovery

For one of my runs last week, I re-ran a 5K race that I PR'd in last summer (26:44). The course was still marked with spray paint so I ran the exact same course. In fact, it was raining, just like it did during the race. Only, I ran it about 5 minutes slower this time. Yes, that is how out of running shape I am right now. But, the good news is, I'm running again. Taking it easy, just trying to be smart and not get injured again. I am pretty much not wearing the $270 custom orthotics at all. Running 3 times a week, about 3 miles on my mid week runs, up to 5 on the weekend run. That same 5K race is in about 3 weeks, and I am planning on running it. My goal is to break 30 min, and right now I think I could get close.

How To Run Across Water

I thought this was a joke at first, but I guess this is an actual sport -- liquid mountaineering. Basically, running on top of water.

Kansas Runners Dominate the 1500-Meter Run

A month ago, we went to Kansas City for a quick weekend getaway. While there, we went to the Legends Village West shopping area. This is one of our favorite places to go in Kansas City. It is an outdoor retail and entertainment area. Every time we go back, there is something new and fun, and it is a wonderful place to go with your family.

Throughout the shopping area, there are statues and sculptures of various things--a cowboy, a fly fisherman, etc. There was a new one this time I'd never seen, and it was running related. It was a series of statues of runners as a tribute to the great 1500-meter runners we've had in Kansas over the years. I thought it was very cool Here are some pics:

First Place in the Class Race

My son is in the first grade. His school had their end of the year “field day” last week. There are about 20 events, with things like soccer dribble, football throw, spoon relay, etc. But only one of the events has a clear winner – the class race.

In the class race, the students are put into groups of 5 or 6 for a 50 yard race, and then the winners all race each other to find out which kid is the fastest in the class.

Last year, my son made it to the finals where he was up against 5 other girls. He had a huge lead but then ¾ of the way into the race he tripped and fell, and he came in last. He was embarrassed and cried a little bit.

So this year was his chance at redemption. And not only did he win the qualifying race going away, he destroyed his competition in the finals.

Oh, I forgot to mention, my son is fast. He definitely didn’t get his speed from me, but I am very proud of him.

Happy Mother's Day

This video is a commercial for John Lewis, but it really is poetry and creativity in 90 seconds, and perfect for celebrating Mother's Day.

I would not be half the man I am without my mother and my wife. Happy Mother's Day to everyone.

Running Again?

Okay, so there is a question mark at the end of Running Again? because although I did have my first run two nights ago in about 2 weeks, I still feel like I'm riding that line where I could get re-injured at any moment. So, I'm trying to be smart and careful. So I can run and stay running.

The Stick has been great, I am going to try to use it twice a day, either before and after a run, or once in the morning and once at night. I had hopes to run the River Run 10K this next weekend, which I hear is the biggest race in the state of Kansas, but I know that I am not in shape for it. I could probably get through it, but it would be ugly. And, I could risk an injury flare up. See, I'm trying to be smart.

So I've been thinking about two things.

1. Getting a bike so I can cross train

2. Trying out the Galloway method.

Has anyone done the Galloway method? I was listening to the Extra Mile podcast yesterday and he had Jeff Galloway on the show. If you don't know, the Galloway method is all about run-walking, and Jeff said a lot of that is to aid in injury prevention. He said he's been injury free for like 30+ years now. Pretty amazing, and it got my attention. So, I may give it a shot. Still debating.

As for the bike, I had a buddy stop by the other day with a nice triathlon bike he bought on Craiglist at a bargain of a price. I don't know about doing a triathlon (the swimming part would kill me), but it definitely got me to considering getting a bike. There would be less pounding on my injured foot, for sure.

Hope everyone is doing well and getting their runs in. I'm feeling disconnected to the blogosphere currently. May is a busy month.