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Lead Stories: Friday, August 29, 2008

ASK LARA:Plantar Fasciitis and 3 Ways to Cross Train

Posted September 3rd, 2007 at 6:00 PM by Lara Johnson

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Columns, Cross Training, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise, Ask Lara

Need advice? Injured? Confused? Overwhelmed? Bored? ASK LARA!
ASK LARA is a free advice column to help you with all of your running, fitness and nutrition inquiries. To ASK LARA — simply fill out the form at the conclusion of the column.

plantar-fasciitis-sm Q. I think I have plantar fasciitis and have a marathon coming up in 2 weeks. I’m not sure how much running I can do between now and then. Any advice on how I can keep my fitness level up? I already bike indoors once a week but I’m not sure if biking can take the place of running. Anything you can suggest is much appreciated.
~Darlene from Boise, Idaho

A. Plantar fasciitis is a pesky problem that affects numerous runners. With a marathon so close, you certainly don’t want to make matters worse, but you do want to maintain your fitness level. The good news is that you are only 2 weeks out from the marathon, and thus the work is done. As you have already accomplished your training over the past weeks, now is the time to begin a taper and thus decrease your training anyway. The severity of the problem should dictate how much you are able to run. If it’s painful to run, it’s not a good sign and you should focus mostly on other activities. Adding some good cross training to the mix can help you heal the problem while maintaining your fitness. First, let’s take a look at the injury.

Plantar fasci-what?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue, the plantar fascia, that connects the heel bone (calcaneus) to the forefoot, supporting your arch. When this area is strained through overuse or weaknesses, it causes irritation and inflammation, often causing pain in the heel first thing in the morning and …
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Keeping sane during injury

Posted January 13th, 2007 at 4:00 PM by Paul Petersen

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab

Running injuries present many challenges. Getting the injury diagnosed and implementing a rehabilitation program are at the forefront, but keeping your SANITY during the potentially long layoff is often overlooked and can be very problematic.

We injury-ridden runners have all had our “Shining” moments: All elliptical and no run makes Jack a dull boy. All elliptical and no run makes Jack a dull boy. All elliptical and no runs makes Jack a dull boy. All elliptical and no run makes Jack a dull boy. All elliptical and no run makes Jack a dull boy…You get the picture.

Although injured runners going through withdraw usually aren’t homocidal, we do become the next worst thing: grouchy, frustrated, depressed, and, yes, slightly insane. Maybe it’s the loss of structure and stress release to our day, maybe it’s the lack of “runner’s high” in our chemical diet, maybe it’s weight gain due to decreased activity, maybe it’s the loss of part of our social network. Whatever it is, any spouse of an injured runner can tell you that we are no fun to be around!
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