Dear Feet

March 5, 2011

Dear Feet,

I know I’ve put you through hell for most of my life, and I really must apologize. I know carrying around 455 pounds wasn’t easy, yet you guys hung in there like troopers. I am trying to repay you for your loyalty by losing weight. I’ve taken 105 pounds of burden off of you, so I hope that helps. I also buy you expensive workout shoes that are supposed to fix your pronation problem. To go with the snazzy shoes, I also buy you expensive socks that are supposed to be good for you and reduce blisters. We all know how important a clear complexion is.

Feet, I know that making you do a half marathon is asking a lot of you. But we’re in this together. We’re raising money and accomplishing things we never thought possible when we were lounging in the la-z-boy.

This week, you’re really been fighting me. The insides of my arches and inside my ankles feel like they’re screaming. To help, I’ve stretched my calves extensively, wrapped your arches in sports tape (as instructed by YouTube), rolled you on tennis  balls, and wore sneakers when it would have been cuter to wear ballerina flats with no support. Every morning I wake up begging you to feel better so that we can continue our half-marathon training together. We’re slated for 11 miles this weekend, yet I couldn’t walk through the grocery without you yelling at me.

You survived 10 miles last week like a champ. I might have complained about you, but really, compared to how you feel right now, I will take it.

As an incentive for you to make it through the 11 miles, I promise you we will go see a special doctor for you on Monday. Yes, a podiatrist. Maybe he can give you more fancy things to help you work better. I’m really trying, feet. Really. We’re a team.

Love,

Emmie

Tagged as: half marathon training, pain

  • http://biglifelittleblog.blogspot.com Emily

    Just something I noticed while reading…you did 10 miles last week and 11 again this week? I always trained with a shorter walk between my longer ones, for example I’d walk 10 one week, then 8 the next, then 12 the next.

    Good luck with the foot pain, I know it sucks :(

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      I have this fear that if I go back in mileage, I won’t be progressing, which I know is totally false. Tomorrow might be unintentionally short!

      • http://biglifelittleblog.blogspot.com Emily

        No way! Going back in mileage gives your body time to rest and repair itself!

        • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

          Sigh. I know. Been worried about the short training time.

          • http://biglifelittleblog.blogspot.com emily (Big Life, Little Blog)

            You’ve already hit 10 miles…that is the “golden” number in training for a half. Many people only do 10 before a race. Focus on your recovery and short walks this week and next week hit it with another long walk :)

  • Jen aka @LeftiesRock

    Loved this. My feet and I have a similar relationship.

  • http://Hotmail Amy

    Okay Emmy I don’t know if this is really helpfull or not have no idea the shoes you are using or wearing at this time for your workouts but I had the samething and I went and brought Stretchers Shape up’s now I own three of them anyways I found it feels like you are walking on a cloud but super supportive. My mom got a pair once I talked her into it because she has bad knees and she in a year has noticed a huge different especially when she goes from her work shoes you know steel toes shoe to these her knees don’t hurt or her back either. I have had to go and see a foot doctor myself and got charged 500 for insules not even the whole shoe that I thought I was getting and they did nothing like these shoes but I want to make it clear to that everyone feels different right. Good luck on your pain free search for your feet I know you will find it for sure.

  • http://thelafastos.blogspot.com Cassie

    Emmie,

    I LOVE your blog, and I’m delurking because of this post. I’m currently on my own journey to lose 100 pounds (starting weight 260, I’m down to 236 now), and the one thing that holds me back every time I work out are my feet. They KILL me, aching and burning so badly, even five minutes in to any work out, no matter the type of shoes or insoles I’ve tried. I’ve also thought about going to a podiatrist, I was just afraid they would just be like “Well, here’s the solution, lose weight.” But what are we supposed to do to lose weight as we wait to get to that point? I push through the pain as best as I can, but it really hinders the intensity and length of my workouts, and it makes me feel so frustrated and weak. I would love to hear/read about what the podiatrist tells you; maybe I will decide to go once and for all and see what they can do.

    Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for posting about this; I read your blog every day for motivation during what is (as you know yourself) the hardest struggle of my life. Thank you so much for being so brave, and SO funny, and letting us in on your journey. You rock!

    Cheers,
    Cassie

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      Thank you for your kind words, Cassie :) I’ll let you know what the doctor says (besides “lose weight”).

  • Sara

    I would really, really encourage you to take a break and heal. When I had PF, no treatment, no shoes, no pain killers helped. What helped was losing weight, but mostly it was removing the cause – the 8 hours a day I stood on my feet at work. PF isn’t super treatable – you really just need to remove the cause. Giving yourself time to heal, including those shorter recovery walks, is the best way to preserve your body for this half marathon, and all the ones you’ll do in the future.

    • Lilly

      I assume you’re referring to Plantars Fasciitis? Funny because it’s something I’ve had no matter my weight. It was just as horrible at 130 pounds as 230 pounds, and even though I spend most of my working time and home time off of my feet, my PF limit is about 2 hours.

      But I’m quite certain there are still people out there who will dismiss me with a “it’ll get better when you lose weight” despite my history, so I’m not bothering to see another doctor about it until I lose the weight.

      • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

        Yeah, Plantar Fasciitis. I hope the doctor doesn’t tell me losing weight is the only treatment option. Uh, doing that already.

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      I only did 3 today, and it was okay. Will see what the doc says and adjust my training plan from there. Must remember that not everything always happens according to plan.

      • Lisa T

        I’ve had plantar fasciitis twice. Once at a relatively low weight and once at a higher weight. Both started because I jumped into a new exercise routine too rigorously. While losing weight can sometimes help, there are plenty of very skinny people who get plantar fasciitis. Removing the cause can also help. I did that the first time I had it, but it still took 6-8 weeks to go away. This last time I did some research and found that the evidence-based research shows the best treatment for plantar fasciitis is stretching. Stretching, stretching and more stretching of your feet and achilles. I still stretch every morning as soon as I get out of bed. I also stretch after exercise. I hope the doctor does not say you have plantar fasciitis!

  • http://abetterlesserme.blogspot.com/ D…

    Having finally addressed my foot issue last week I can’t recommend going to a podiatrist enough. After 3 doctors telling me to lose weight to fix it and over a year of serious pain and hindrance in the exercise area I finally had someone recognise my activity levels and put into a place a treatment plan. I know losing weight will help but a specialist will help even more. Well done not letting it linger too long, I was stupid it lasted 4 years on and off until I stopped simply relying on doctors!

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      I hope I have the same experience tomorrow at the doctor!

      • http://abetterlesserme.blogspot.com/ D…

        I also meant to say, hope it all goes well :-)

  • Aggie

    Hi Emmie, I’m training for my first marathon and my long runs coincide with your long walks – I’m doing 11 miles this week too! Anyway, I just wanted to send you some moral support and thank you for all the inspiration your blog gives me. You’re such a determined and courageous person – I KNOW you’ll finish the race in style.

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      Thank you Aggie! Hope your 11 went well.

  • Lilly

    Emmie I assume you’ve already tried 10-minute dunks in ice water throughout the day, or soaks in warm epsom-salt-laden water?

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      I’ve done a couple of ice dunks, but no epsom salt water. Will have to try that.

  • kari

    Foot pain sucks– I have struggle with this over the years….
    Have you gone for a massage? I had something similar last fall — thought it was my d@mn feet…but it was actually the thighs — they were freaking out, causing my feet to freak out! After a couple of massages — it was back to somewhat normal. Now I try and include a lot of swimming in my workout routine, seems to help keep everything working better!
    I find that only heat works when my feet are acting up — cold makes it worse.
    If it is your feet — what about biking and the eliptical? My doc is always telling me they are easier on the feet. You would still build endurance, but your footies might be happier.
    Have you tried Merino wool socks(the are soft, not itchy)? I find they work better at wicking the moisture away (and are cozier) than any of the synthetics. I get mine from sierra trading post for cheap, cheap (sign up for their emails — and they will send you great coupons). If you don’t want to try the wool — bamboo is my second favourite.
    This last tidbit may seem odd, but I have actually had better luck with hiking shoes (particularly my lowas — they are wonderful) than the most expensive running shoes. The cushioning yet firmness of the sole seems to mesh better with the needs of my feet.
    Hang in there! Hope the feet are feeling better soon!

  • http://www.110pounds.com Lisa

    Oh no! I hope you are okay. I hope it’s not PF! :(

  • http://sizingdowndiva.com Sizing down diva

    Emmie- I was totally thinking the same thing this week, as my poor feet are swelling beyond recognition. I think it’s a mix of reduced water intake, air pressure on planes and a whole new workout routine. But I keep telling myself that the exercise will pay off one day, and my feet won’t have to swell up anymore since I will have less weight to carry around!

  • Kehkahan Manzoor

    Walking is too important for human body , it provide strength to the body,It reduces our weight and many more…
     

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