5 weeks to HM - need some advice!
KWKY
Posts: 110 Member
Hello fellow runners..
I have five weeks to go to my third HM.
I started training for this 12 weeks ago, trying to do the "run less run faster" program. However when I tried to push the speeds the recommend for my goal I end up injuring myself (so far its' been ITB, piriformis and hip problems).
Three weeks ago I went for a running assessment with a track coach, turns out my whole gait is wrong because I look down when I run, I swing my arms from side to side and I heel strike.
So I changed my gait with his advice - hip/piriformis pain pretty much gone, but the forefoot strikiing is giving me a lot of blistering on my right feet.
So basically in the last three weeks I have only been able to complete about 25-30km's a week running (5km interval, 9km tempo and 12-15km long) because the blistering is so bad.
Am thinking, given 5 weeks to go, whether to give up on either the interval or the tempo (or scale back) so my blistering recovers, what do you think?
Thanks in advance!
KWKY
I have five weeks to go to my third HM.
I started training for this 12 weeks ago, trying to do the "run less run faster" program. However when I tried to push the speeds the recommend for my goal I end up injuring myself (so far its' been ITB, piriformis and hip problems).
Three weeks ago I went for a running assessment with a track coach, turns out my whole gait is wrong because I look down when I run, I swing my arms from side to side and I heel strike.
So I changed my gait with his advice - hip/piriformis pain pretty much gone, but the forefoot strikiing is giving me a lot of blistering on my right feet.
So basically in the last three weeks I have only been able to complete about 25-30km's a week running (5km interval, 9km tempo and 12-15km long) because the blistering is so bad.
Am thinking, given 5 weeks to go, whether to give up on either the interval or the tempo (or scale back) so my blistering recovers, what do you think?
Thanks in advance!
KWKY
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Replies
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I don't have much experience with what you are describing, but I wonder if you changed your shoe when you changed you gait? You may want to go to a running store and have them watch you run.0
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No... I overpronate so I had my shoes fitted three years ago when I started running...
I think I will have to change my shoes but I didn't want do that until the gait settles down and certainly only after the HM.
My concern is that at this end of training I really need to put the mileage in, but the blistering if forcing me to do a run/walk at the end of a long run ( so yesterday, I ran for 15km but had to run walk the last km and even today I am in a lot of pain)0 -
Where's the blister? I too have been working on getting the heel strike out of my run this spring and it has seemed to exaggerate a hotspot on the back of my heels, I've gotten wicked blisters a few times. I've tried moleskin, duct tape, better socks etc which all help but still left the area raw or starting to blister.
I think I finally found the prefect combo this weekend. Moleskin over the hot spot, and then applied Gold Bond Friction defense on the mole skin, with decent running socks. Ran 12 miles this weekend without a care in the world. I completely forgot about it until I took my socks off after the run.
If the blister is open, bandaid it, then moleskin, then duct tape or the friction stuff... if it's on the bottom of your foot it may still be too painful though....0 -
It's the bottom of my feet and also the side of my big toe - worse on the right side because I suspect I overpronate more on that side.
How long did it take you to change from heel strike to midfoot strike, out of curiosity? I just wonder how much longer of this I have to bear
Also, did you experience achilles pain when you changed?0 -
If you are changing your running form I would really suggest having your shoes reassessed.
Take your old shoes with you when you go to the running store. The way you wear your shoes down on the in- and outside gives important clues of the type of shoe you have to run in especially now that you have changed the 'how' you run.0 -
^^ I agree! Have your shoes looked at again, show them where you're getting blisters.
I felt the most discomfort in my lower shins when I started the switch, I should probably have my form evaluated again, see how I'm doing with it.0 -
With 5 weeks to go, I would drop the intervals and do all easy pace running with the exception of 20 minutes of tempo during one of those weekly runs.
Personally, I'm shocked that any coach would advocate drastic changes to your gait. That's just asking for injuries. Changes to running form should take place slowly over time and should be accomplished with lots of form drills and easy running to get you used to the new form. Advocating this change during the training phase for a HM is irresponsible, in my opinion (assuming you gave him all this information).0 -
Thanks guys for the great advice!
I will definitely get my shoes re-assessed after the HM. I have been on the Brooks Addiction since I started running but I think that's more suited to heel striking because there's a lot of support there. Now that I am trying to midfoot strike (I think I am probably forefoot striking), I probably need a bit more support down the front of my feet.
Hopefully the blistering will be much better so I can at least finish the HM!
Thanks again
KWKY0
