gdionelli

We were pretty sure even before we married that we didn't want kids, and never wavered in that conviction. I didn't have many people pressure me but one of the most annoying was a physician in a walk-in clinic where I'd gone for an ear infection. "Do you have children?" "Well, why not?" "Women really should have children." (I might add, he was from another culture, I don't remember what. But even then, he probably had gone to med school in this country and lived here a while.) I told him pretty bluntly it was none of his business. And then, after all that, he asked me if I was in the market for a primary physician - like I'd go to him. NOT. You sound to me very sensible about it all - but then, there are so many people who can't trust women - or couples - to make their own decisions.

Garlic Gu is a scary thought!

Well, of course I'm in moonshine territory, but I'll raise a glass back to you! Taking inspiration, of course, from your return from your oh-so-dramatic injury!

Thanks, Carol! I've had so many false starts that I hardly dare hope...but 2019 IS a new year!

Thanks, Gwen. Baby steps, indeed, but I'll take 'em!

I just might be getting back to running. As I type I am stopping frequently to knock on wood, cross myself, eat raw garlic, etc. - whatever will prevent me from jinxing myself. The new wide Hoka Gaviotas have greatly improved my foot's quality of life, especially with the help some of you gave me with lacing strategies. The combination of Lydiard and crossover lacing , and then heel lock lacing seems to be doing the trick. Early last week I did a trial two minutes on the treadmill, just to see if it hurt and how I recovered. Apparently I survived, because the next day I was at it again, doing a whole whopping four minutes, in one minute run/one minute walk intervals. Two days later I did nine one minute intervals... I told you this was a slow return. Not only was I really cautious about the injury, and worried about my new gait, but my fitness was, and is, pretty lousy. My daily half-hour on the stationary bike hasn't done much to get me in running shape. An outing to the park resulted in 12 minutes actual running, and then this past Tuesday, 14, all the running intervals at about an 11 minute pace. I dusted off my Garmin, looked at my splits, and determined that I could "run" a 5K if I did about 18 1:00/1:30 run/walk intervals. And so I Turkey-Trotted. I set the Garmin for run/walk alerts and ruthlessly followed my plan. Did it in 17 intervals, not 18. This particular race was my very last one, three years ago, before I got injured, so it was rough being there and being unable to really run, but I focused on the positive. I was there, my time was "only" ten minutes longer than three years ago, I was actually a bit quicker than my Tuesday trial run, it was my first run back on pavement. My toe was only slightly annoyed with me by the end, and I wore the evil orthotics the rest of the day to give it a break. Seemed to work. I have ordered an extra pair of the Hokas - thank goodness for the Running Warehouse pikermi discount! The new model hits stores December 1st so the old ones are almost unavailable now in the wide width. I may like the new model, but you know how it is - there's that fear they'll mess up a great shoe by redesigning it. I've never had a new model that was an actual improvement on the old. I still have issues - the surgical ankle still swells a bit, even though surgery was two years ago. And running in the rocker soles is very different. I was a forefoot striker before, but now that is the thing that I am supposed to avoid. Running this way tightens up my calves, and I also find it to be very noisy. Or maybe that's just the shoes, or the extra weight I have acquired from not running. Regardless, I still hope to prove wrong the many, and I mean many, people who've told me I should just give up the idea of running. I know you all understand! No dancing banana yet...but maybe a toe-tapping grape.

Congrats again! I surely wish I had been cheering you on! Way to go on your pacing! We have a recurring problem with those muddy spots on the trail, and since I am usually running it regularly I pester the park maintenance folks to get them filled in before the marathon. But because I've been on the DL I didn't see them ahead of time and didn't think about it. Come back next year and we'll have them fixed! The crushed limestone I can't help you with, however. The surface is great for one's joints, but the downside is those little rocks. I'm just starting back to running, with new shoes, and so far I haven't had an issue with the rocks. Please come again, and this time we'll organize some real Loop hospitality! (Notice the football in my profile pic!)

If ever I have a "Big news" bloop, it will be in all caps. But congrats - sounds really encouraging! Maybe I need to name my foot...

This is just so great. I'm glad I happened upon it, since I so rarely visit this joint these days. You're a wonderful friend and competitor.

Thank you, Gonzo. I'm working now with both Carissa's idea of mixing & matching and the heel lock lacing. I think I'm just not patient enough about trying to find the perfect balance of loose here and tight there. I've actually used different combos on each foot for years, but it's looking like I'm going to end up with MORE symmetrical feet now!

Thank you, Carissa! I hadn't thought of Lydiard lacing for the toebox area. I've been skipping an eyelet, however, for more room on that foot. I will try this. And thanks for the site link.

Wow - this is excellent! Thank you!

This is probably a terrible time to post, because so many of you are running exciting and big races tomorrow. But I'm just going to put this out there, and maybe someone will spot it and help me out. After four podiatrists, an ankle surgery, many months of PT, and four pairs of custom orthotics I've still got a toe problem, with no help in sight. BUT I decided to try a wide width rocker soled shoe, because that is something that shows up in recommendations for sesamoiditis (my current problem, probably set off by change of gait resulting from the ankle problem). I bought the Hoka Gaviotas in the D width, and lo, and behold, they do seem to help. Better than the stupid inserts, anyway. But I'm having trouble lacing them tightly enough around the ankle, because the width seems to extend to the ankle - it's not just in the toe box. Can anyone point me to a site that would give me some lacing techniques to deal with that? I've tried heel lock lacing, but maybe I'm just not doing it right - either I get it so tight it hurts, or the shoes are loose. I'm afraid to try to start running in them, unless they feel secure on my foot. I'm having trouble imagining running in such a rigid shoe anyway, but I'm desperate - I'll try anything! Good luck to all you fasties!

Thanks, Dave. I'm trying to have some hope. It's been three years since my last half, and I haven't stopped trying to get my foot fixed...I hope your running continues to progress.

I feel your pain, Dave.