Each Day Is a Gift

That happens with me too. I know for certain that my legs are different lengths, which is why I have problems with my right foot. That being said, with you it could be anything from running style to hips to a lower back issue. All I know is that it is not uncommon.

Nice warm up with all the wardrobe changes.LOL Hopefully your body will tell you it feels great tomorrow. I agree with jun that it is not unusual, but you may want to try and figure out why it is happening. It is possible that if you corrected what ever is causing it, you may run more efficiently. Maybe not though. I guess I'm no help at all.

Actually, according to the foot dr and the guys at the running store, it is normal. My right always wears out first.

Great run, you power through the miles every week and just amaze me. What is your running plan for Saturday, or do you have one?

I've only been to the foot dr. once to rule out a stress fracture of the left metatarsal. He said I have an extra bone by the ankle. When he pressed on it, I just about went thru the ceiling. He also said that my left leg is probably slightly longer than my right which explains why I like running against traffic since the slope of the road takes the pressure off that arch. The shoe guy at Fleets Feet said that some people favor one foot, or one foot is bigger than the other so it's common to have uneven wear. I guess I'm a little paranoid since all my ailments are on my left leg and foot.

As far as plan for Sat goes, I don't know. I'm supposed to run a 17 miler. So I thought it'd be good to run the 1/2 at marathon pace. But I have not hit marathon pace during long runs yet so I don't know if I'm up to it. I figure if I can run it anywhere between 9 and 9:15 I would be an extremely happy camper. I am treating this week as a normal week of training; so not much taper for it.

Smooth - I think you need to pace me for the 1/2! I'm so out of it that I'm afraid I'm going to be running 11 mm if I don't have someone to run with! I'd also run a little extra with you too :) You are always GREAT company! You did a great run this morning! After 23 on Sat and then pulling the miles you are this week I must say you are a MACHINE!! Hopefully you can get some answers about your foot/shoe thing...I'm so new to all this that I couldn't even venture a guess. I'd have to look it up on the internet :) Then, who knows what opinion you're getting! Great workout today, keep up the inspiring work.

I think you should try running on the right side of the road, especially since all your injuries have been unilateral.

That's funny about the wardrobe changes! I envy you for getting out there and braving the elements!

My shoes wear pretty evenly, so I'm no help..I also try to switch sides of the trail/road whenever I run to even out the wear on my body. I wouldn't worry about it. It's best to run against the traffic -- so you can jump out of the way if someone doesn't give you enough room. Be safe out there!

This weather is nuts! I am so tired of snow, good for you to get out there and get er' done! Less than 4 weeks! Woo hoo!! Keep up your awesome training girl!

What is up with that wind??? I really want to know how it is possible to have a head wind no matter the direction??? It drives me NUTS! I am so glad it happens to you too :) I mean I am not happy you always have a headwind, but I am glad that I am not totally NUTS!! :)

Great run and smart call on the easy day. They are so good for us and feel SO good :)

Not sure about the shoes maybe it is from always running on the left side of the road... I know I need to run on the right side for half of my runs or my knees will act up... just a thought.

Switching sides of the roads is very important for the body :) Unless you get killed by a car :(

Smooth - I think that is pretty normal - both the shoe wear and having injuries on one side of the body. I think one area of weakness tends to lead to other areas of weakness. Most of my injuries and all of my surgeries have been on my left leg.

Ah - the wind....Designed by the same masochistical creator that switches downhills to uphills. God just wants to keep us challenged.

Marion - Amen to your last comment. It took a long time to get so I could run with traffic because I have flashbacks.

Rachel,

You are too fast for me. With that said, I'd love to run with you. You're a great running partner. We'll keep each other at an easy pace. I just hope that I don't get lost. I ran the course with Kelly last Mon. There are lots of turns. Then again, since I have to do 17, I shouldn't worry about running extra if I ever took a wrong turn, right? Did I just scare you away from running with me...slow, easy, getting lost. LOL

Eric,

I noticed during race where I run mostly on the right side of the road, my left arch would get achy.

Marc,

I wish I had even shoe wear like you. As a matter of fact, I always envy those who run with race flats. That's what you're wearing at Boston, right? Oh, I run on the left side against traffic 90% of the time. I think motorist just don't see me.

Marion,

It was so weird that the wind would change directions like that on me.

Kathie,

Good points, I think I need to run on the right side more.

Tarzan,

Wow, I had no idea you had surgeries on your leg. That just makes me admire you more. Thanks for being such an inspiration to me.

I had knee surgery on my left knee when I was 19 and basically was told to avoid sports like running and the martial arts etc (which lead me to follow my love for Chuck Norris and take up karate for 9 years).

Around 1995 I was walking my dog and a kid up the street thought his dog was going to attack mine as it ran across the street to see us (he didn't know our dogs were friends). He threw a dog brush after his dog and it literally knocked me off my feet and caused permanent nerve damage in my left ankle. I should have been put in a cast for several months - but that was back in the days of FHP and they really were a Failed Health Plan.

In 1998 I spent the summer in a walking cast with a stress fracture of my left ankle. Guess that explains the pain I had walked with for 6 months.

In 1999 I had surgery to tack down a tendon in my left ankle and also to remove a neuroma in my left foot.

In 2000 I had another surgery to clear up some other ankle problems in the same ankle. Unfortunately, I slipped on a wet floor 2 weeks later while on crutches and undid most of the fixes. At that point I decided to learn to live with constant ankle pain. About 3 years later it finally went away.

I've also had ITB problems at both the left knee and left hip.

See - all in one leg :-)

WOW! Maurine! Your left leg and ankle history about bring me to tears. I can't believe how much you've gone through. It's amazing you can walk, let alone run and for such long long distances!!! You are an inspiration to me. You have iron will and tough as nail. Do you feel that your strides are asymetrical? Do you have lingering problems now? You must have a mix-bag of remedies and rehab routines.

Smooth - I find that it is easier to injure that leg, but don't have any real issues with it anymore. I did for several years after the last surgery - but that was before I took up marathon training.

The only thing I have to be careful of is the nerves on the inside of the left foot. If they get hit wrong or touched where the dog brush hit me - it shoots me through the roof.