Hi guys!
Thank you all SOOO much for all the foot/shoe info! I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders when I heard that others have my same problem. So far, this season my leg has not hurt but it was so bad last year that I had to drop out of race training and even went to the doctor to have x-rays done because I was convinced I somehow managed to get a stress fracture. It’s funny that now I know I overpronate, I can easily recognize it and can’t believe I didn’t think of it earlier! I was just walking around the mall in my flip flops and it was so clear to me that even as I walk, my feet go inwards. Blah!
I’m taking both pairs of running shoes that I’ve been using with me to the shoe store tomorrow (I AM going to the running store at the International Mall in Tampa where they watch you run—I think one reader asked about that), so they can guide me to the best shoes for my feet. And I’m not running the 3 miles I’m supposed to do tomorrow morning…I’m waiting until tomorrow night until I have better shoes. I guess its a good investment!
Anyways, I got a ton done today! For lunch, I had about 3 tbsp hummus on an english muffin with carrots, a hard boiled egg, a yogurt and a kiwi. It was very filling and delicious!
I went to the library and to the mall to use my gift card from work! I got this cool Nike tank top to run in…I love the yellow Livestrong!
Okay….if any of you have never read “I am Charlotte Simmons”…..READ IT TODAY!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, it is the best book ever. I read it a couple years ago, lent out my copy and never saw it again…so when I found it at the library today, I knew I needed a re-read. It will suck you in and you won’t be able to stop flipping the pages until the end. Seriously, one of my favorite books ever (along with Beach Music by Pat Conroy).
And then when I got home, I had a bowl of cinnamon raisin Ezekiel cereal with soymilk for a snack (1 serving of cereal = 1/2 cup):
I think it’s time to lay on the couch and read….I kind of like this no-work thing! Haha! I’m sure I’ll get bored soon enough!
I keep forgetting to mention that this morning when I ran, I finally tried out my new Camel Bak!!! I LOOOOVED it!!! It was so great not having this huge awkward belt around me and it only took me about a half a mile to get used to actually wearing a backpack before I didn’t even notice that I was wearing it anymore! The only problem that I can think of is that it’s really easy to drink TOO much water because it’s so accessible. You have to train yourself to only drink when your thirsty or else you will have a sloshy tummy and no one likes that. Overall, it was a great buy and I’m so glad I got it. I think it will really help on on these hot Florida mornings! It was also nice because it had a spot for my keys which I used to actually keep in my sports bra when I ran. Gross!
Justy2003
August 29, 2008 at 6:43 pmI’m getting new running shoes this weekend, too! The ones I have are way too old and now that I’ve been running more I feel like I should definitely have a better pair. The ones I have are good (they’re Brooks so they’re meant for running) but they’re just too old. Like 2 1/2 years old! That explains the hint of shin splints I’m getting…
Shoes are sooo important in running! Hope you get a pair you love!
linds
August 29, 2008 at 6:44 pmHi Jenna!
It seems like you already figured out what is giving you leg/knee pain but I just wanted to throw in my experience in case it strike a chord with you too- I used to get horrible shin splints and knee pain, sometimes it honestly felt like a knife was cutting into my shins as I ran (I was super active at this time too, playing soccer, basketball, running, and figure skating) and I was always icing and wrapping up leg parts in an effort to lessen the pain. For me there was no relief until I visited a doctor and they sent me to have custom-made orthotics created for my feet. The doctors watched me walk and run and told me that my tibia curves inward while doing both, causing my weight to fall inwards, which was giving me pain. The took plaster molds of my feet and built orthotics around those. The orthotics balanced my weight out and now I have no pain at all when I wear them, no matter what shoe I am wearing. My insurance also covers the orthotics and I get new ones made every few years. If new shoes don’t solve your problems, go to your doctor 🙂 Best of luck to you and I’m looking forward to hearing about all of your training!
Toni
August 29, 2008 at 6:52 pmI love your tank top 🙂 I got a pair of the Livestrong cycling shorts (which are EXACTLY like running shorts? Dunno what that’s all about) and they’re cute as hell.
jenny
August 29, 2008 at 6:52 pmhey does anybody have any recommendations for running shoes that help my toes hurt less?
for some reason, after i run, my toes seem to hurt. . .
JenP
August 29, 2008 at 6:53 pmI just finished “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running” (grr…as a former English teacher I hate that I can’t underline titles of novels when I comment on blogs!). It was really good, very well written, and almost poetic!
runjess
August 29, 2008 at 6:59 pmI tie my key into my shoe laces. Hasn’t failed me yet.
BethT
August 29, 2008 at 7:03 pmI love that book too.
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
August 29, 2008 at 7:21 pmGlad you like the Camel Bak! If I ever start running I’ll definitely get one of those!
VeggieGirl
August 29, 2008 at 8:01 pmHooray for Livestrong gear! Especially since yellow is my favorite color 🙂
Sounds like a great book!! I’ll have to check it out.
Sammie
August 29, 2008 at 8:37 pmJenna,
I find that a good pair of running shoes is key and definitely worth the $$$. I have to replace mine quite frequently because of the number of miles I log each week. I know the feeling when the old pair has been run out, I start to get an awful pain in my shin and as soon as I put on the new pair that pain disappears. Good luck shoe shopping, I highly recommend going to a place with a knowledgeable staff (hopefully athletes themselves) where they check you out in action. I started to buy my shoes from that sort of place about 4 years ago and I have had nothing but success. Happy running!!!
SarahC
August 29, 2008 at 8:44 pmHey Jenna-
Just wanted to chime in about the running shoes. I actually work for New Balance and basically know everything about shoes! We have a couple of models designed specifically for those who tend to over-pronate. Here is a list of them from least to most stable: ( I highly suggest the 1224’s!)
WR768
WR1224
WR859
You can check out the shoes at http://www.nbwebexpress.com
Also Jenny-
If your toes are hurting your shoes may be too small. Alot of runners like to get running shoes a 1/2 size larger then their regular shoe size. You may also need a shoe that is built on an SL-2 last. These shoes are made with a deeper and wider toe box. New Balance makes these too!
Love the blog jenna…keep up the great work!!
-S-
mi
August 29, 2008 at 8:59 pmi always read your blog but don’t comment nearly often enough – i’m sorry!! i will be looking into that book – but what really excited me was the haruki murakami book – i ADORE him, read so many of his books and he makes me proud to be japanese 🙂 haha. i read an article in the new yorker that he wrote a month or two ago (my dad gets the new yorker sent to our home… in england!) which was about his running, and i’m dying to read this book. have you read any of his others? i’ll be looking forward to how you find it.
also, i tried your way of doing overnight oats, mixing it with yogurt (i used fahe 0%). WOW. thank you so much for the idea!!
and, that rose is amazing – you must be so skilled with your fingers.
runforfun
August 30, 2008 at 3:04 amjenna,
you’ve mentioned before that you eat approx. 1800 calories/day. if you plan to increase the intensity and/or frequency of your workouts, you may want to seriously bump up your caloric intake. you also mentioned how you were certified by some nutrition board. does your program recommend an activity level such as yours on such a low caloric intake? the minimum recommendation for some one of your stature and activity level would be closer to 2000-2200. if you want to train like an athlete, you need to eat like an athlete. as a “retired” runner — i used to run a lot, but now run 2-3 days a week with a total milage of less than 15 — i easily consume 2400-2600 calories (and i am of similar stature). i know each body is unique, but it just seems like you’re setting yourself up for injuries, burnout, or overtraining (not fun, at all). just my two cents. you don’t need to approve this post or anything, but i think you may be undereating for your aspirations. a nice rule of thumb is adding 100 calories for every mile you intend to run — comprised mostly of carbs and protein for glycogen storage and muscle repair. good luck! 🙂
jenna
August 30, 2008 at 11:33 amRunforfun,
Thank you for you comment (I’m serious..not being sarcastic!). I haven’t really bumped up my activity level yet since I’m still only running 2 miles a couple times a week but when I actually do start really increasing my mileage, I”m sure I will eat more food as a result! I aim for about 2000 calories on days I’m active because, really for me, any more and I just feel stuffed. The calories that your body needs really is unique to you and I’m definitely not trying to deprive myself! I never have done that! I just eat when I’m hungry and stop when I’m full and right now I’m trying to increase the size of my snacks so that my snacks and meals sort of meld together. Thank you for the advice! It’s always welcome!
Caroline
August 30, 2008 at 6:51 pmI love I Am Charlotte Simmons as well! It kinda freaked me out (I read it just before leaving for my freshman year of college!), but I loved it in the end.