Bette L. Hall’s Running Journal

What About My 2007 Training Calendar and Race Agenda?

At the beginning of the year I had high aspirations when I planned my running and fitness agenda and event calendar.

My training included such things as timed sprints, split runs, short local races such as the 5k, 5 mile, 8k, and 10k, cycling, Iron Yoga, hindu squats, and weightlifting. My training runs included running in my neighborhood, at the river, at the park, and running at the local high school track.

Mother Nature put a damper on my plans. Snow, sleet, and ice stroms tried to force me to stay indoors. We had snow all the way up to the month of April. We even had a freeze that probably ruined my 3 beautiful red crepe myrtles.

It started looking like spring around here with sunshine and a few days when temperatures reached the 60’s and 70’s. The crepe myrtles started getting leaves and little buds and then…

THE FREEZE ! !

The easter lilies, tiger lilies, and the cannas were poking through the ground in shades of green and then…

THE FREEZE ! !

Now my beautiful crepe myrtles look brown, dry, and dead and the lilies and cannas turned black and mushy.

Anyway, I didn’t mean to chase rabbits. Back to the issue at hand–Running.

Back in February I joined the YMCA. Since that time I’ve done very little road running. My great training plans turned to treadmill running with FitLinxx machines for cross-training.

In March the “Y” gave an incentive of a free T-shirt for anyone who worked out at least 12 times during the month. I was there 15 times during March even though I took a week off for spring break. I got my T-shirt.

The newest incentive is a quarterly competition during the months of April, May, and June for whoever gets the most fitlinxx points, burns the most calories, and lifts the most pounds. I guess they’ll probably give out t-shirts again.

I’ve gotten so wrapped up in my workouts at the “Y” that I’ve neglected my outdoor running. My last road race was the Wish Lemons 5K on March 31, 2007. The next one will be the Cinco de Mayo 5K on May 4th, 2007.

So you want to know what happened to my running agenda and training calendar?

They were put in the shredder!

The day finally came for me to see the Podiatrist for plantar fasciitis in my right foot, runner’s black toe in my left great toenail, and a chronic hang-nail in my right great toe. It took over two months to get an appointment for Wednesday, April 18, 2007 and I was thrilled that I would finally get some help for my poor aching feet.

There was a television in the waiting room tuned in to Accent Health, a healthy lifestyle TV program which covers various topics, including chronic conditions such as heart health and diabetes, the latest health news, and medical breakthroughs.

Accent Health has a lot of good information and it was really interesting. I got caught up watching it and didn’t even realize how fast the time was flying. By the time they called my name, an hour and a half (1 and 1/2 hours) had passed by.

The nurse led me back to the examining room and took my vital signs. I don’t see what my weight and blood pressure have to do with my feet, but I went along with it without saying a word. After all, I really wanted my feet checked.

Another 15 minutes had passed by and I finally cancelled my appointment. There is no excuse for making a patient wait for an hour and 45 minutes. I had other things I had to do and couldn’t wait any longer.

I stopped at the scheduling desk on my way out and tried to reschedule the appointment. I was informed that this doctor is a specialist and I would have to have my primary physician reschedule for me.

Needless to say, I left there a little upset.

I’ve been suffering plantar fasciitis pain since the Oklahoma Olympic Track and Field Events in September 2006, and I’ve had the black toe situation since the Route 66 half-marathon in November 2006.

I guess I’ll have to wait another two months to get back in to see that doctor.

According to the latest issue of Runner’s World, the tradition of running track counter-clockwise could have originated from one of two different ideas.

Traditionally, its believed that running counter-clockwise came from the Greek and Roman chariot races. It’s believed that they kept to the right so that the hand that sported the sword would be on the outside.

The other school of thought is that runner’s are always trying to beat the clock.

Current Clinical Trials for Plantar Fasciitis

Here is the promised article about randomized double-blind clinical trials that relate to Plantar Fasciitis. This article will discuss the current ongoing clinical trials for plantar fasciitis and/or fasciosis. For some, this information will be better than gold. There will be information given for three test studies that are currently recruiting participants. The first one is the Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Dysport® in the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis, the second is Efficacy of the TOPAZ™ Microdebridement Procedure for Treating Plantar Fasciosis, and the third is Conservative Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis With Dorsiflexion Night Splints and Medial Arch Supports.

The purpose of the Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Dysport® in the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis, is to find out if one single injection of Dysport (200 MU) will result in a significant reduction in the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

They will be accepting 40 participants. This study is open to both males and females over the age of 18. The criteria includes the requirement of diagnosed plantar fasciitis for at least four months or longer, at least two previous unsuccessful conservative therapies, and pain within the previous 48 hours.

Rheumatoid disease is cause for exclusion as well as previous surgery in the affected foot.

The following locations are conducting this scientific study:

• University Hospital Charite, Musculoskeletal Centre, Berlin, Germany
• Orthopedic Practice, Weiden,Germany
• Orthopedic Practice, Karlsruhe, Germany
• Orthocentre Munich, Munich, Germany
• Orthopedic Practice Biberburg, Berlin, Germany

The Microdebridement Procedure for Treating Plantar Fasciosis is actually a post-surgery procedure for patients who have evidence of plantar fasciosis–degenerative process of the fascia.

Ninety healthy participants, male or female, between the ages of 18 and 65 will be accepted for inclusion in the study. Thickening of the plantar fascia is a requirement.

Candidates who have used NSAID’s such as Naprosyn or Ibuprofen during the previous two weeks, a history of diabetes types I and II, history of fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, previous fascia surgery, or any infection, tumor, or pregnancy will be excluded.

Anyone interested in participitating in this study can contact one of the following clinics:

Arizona

• Foot Care Physicians, Mesa, Arizona 85204
• Reisha Zang 480-834-8804 reishazang@aol.com
• Bruce Werber, DPM 480-834-8804 brw1150@usa.net

California

• Foot and Ankle Institute of Santa Monica, Santa Monica California 90403
• Nubia Diaz 310-828-0011 nubia@footankleinstitute.com
• Babak Baravarian, DPM 310-828-0011

Florida

Georgia

• Foot and Ankle Clinic of Oakwood, Oakwood, Georgia 30566
• Cathy Rowan 770-536-7008 carfaco@charter.net
• Thomas Brosky, II, DPM 770-535-1212 carfaco@charter.net

• Ankle and Foot Specialist of Atlanta, Lithonia, Georgia, 30058
• Arletha White 770-981-9011 awhite-45@hotmail.com

Texas

• Arlington Foot Center, Arlington, Texas 76014
• Joe T. Southerland, DPM 817-467-1990 jtsouth@sbcglobal.net

Virginia

• Fredericksburg Foot & Ankle Center, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22408
• Ross J. Girvan, DPM 540-374-5261 ross.girvan@verizon.net

The third and final clinical trial is Conservative Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis With
Dorsiflexion Night Splints and Medial Arch Supports. The purpose of this study is to compare the difference between the combined effect of both dorsiflexion night splints and medial arch supports in comparison the effect of splints and supports individually in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Eligiblity for this test is participants over the age of 18 and is open to both male and female with plantar heel pain. Some of the conditions that will be excluded include gout, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or loss of plantar foot sensation.

For more information about participation in this study you can contact:

Pennsylvania

• University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
• Ahmad H Alghadir, MS, PT 412-726-1826 aha31@pitt.edu
• James J Irrgang, PhD, PT 412-647-1237 irrgangjj@upmc.edu

And for now…

This concludes my plantar fasciitis discussion.

References:
U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
USA.gov

These look like fall photos, but they are actually winter photos taken on February 24, 2007 at the Toe Stumpin’ Race at Lake Keystone State Park.

Rocks        -       Incline

Water - Creeks/Streams

Mud

Racing in single file formation.

Well, I ran my first trail run and I have to say that it kicked my butt.

I’ve decided that trail running is not for me.

The beginning of the course and most of the entire trail was so narrow that we had to run single file. What kind of race is that? It was next to impossible to pass anyone. It would have been better to name this race a goup hike. It reminded me of the days when I trained women firefighters in physical fitness and hiking was included in the training.

As forcasted, it rained Friday night. Needless to say, the trail was muddy. It was also very rocky and we had to cross streams/creeks. I thought I counted five crossings, but when I looked at the map, it shows seven creek crossings. Several of the creeks had rocks large enough that we could hop on rocks to get across. A couple of the creeks were wide and had no “hopping-rocks” so we had to wade across the water. Nike Trail Runners are certainly not wading shoes.

I can describe the Toe Stumpin’ Trail Run in five words–narrow, water, muddy, incline, rocks. The rocks were a huge hinderance. I now know why they named this race Toe Stumpin’. I never stubbed my toe on any tree stumps, but I sure did bang my left great toe on rocks several times.

I actually had fun, but I don’t think I’ll be running any more trail runs. It was a good experience, but I’ll stick to road racing and track running.

I’ll be posting photos later.

I’m entering an entirely new chapter in my life right now.

My job has ended and now I am unemployed.

I’ve been working at Oklahoma State University (OSU), Center for Aerospace and Hyperbaric Medicine for the past seven months. I collect data for a research project that is a double-blind study to see if pilots who sleep under oxygen deprivation situations are affected in their thought process, mental acuity, and alertness. Included in my duties, was to administer alertness testing, sleep studies, EEG’s (electroencephalogram), EMG (electromyogram), and EOG (electro-oculogram ), pulse-ox, and heart rate as well as watching for signs of ataxia and edema.

It’s an interesting position, I enjoyed my work, and I worked beside a lot of great people, but the scientific study is over now and I’m left without a job. I have no job leads and no real plans for the future. I think I’ll take some time off to regroup, spring clean, meditate, and go overboard with my training. You’ll also find me around wordpress a little more. I won’t be so scarce.

I’ve signed up for the Oklahoma FreeWheel–a bicycle ride from the Texas border to the Kansas border–about a 350-400 mile ride.

As far as the training calendar I made for January 2007 is concerned, I blew it. Mostly due to weather. February’s personal training schedule is also pretty much a disaster. But now that I have a lot of time on my hands, it’s time to devise a new plan.

My first trail run, entitled the “Toe Stumpin’ Trail Run,” is held in Mannford, Oklahoma.

The race will be held in Keystone State Park in Mannford on new running and mountain biking trails developed by the Oklahoma Earthbike Fellowship. Both the five mile race and the two mile beginners race will begin at 9:00 a.m. The race begins in a parking area 1/2 mile south of Keystone Lake Dam on Hwy 151 between US 64 and State Hwy 51. There will be signs with directions to the parking area.

It’s supposed to start raining tonight and continue over the weekend. I’ll be wearing my “Nike Trail Runners.” They are the most comfortable running shoes I have ever owned but they are designed with breathing holes. I think I’ll double sock to help keep the mud away from my feet. I’ll also wear a trash bag as a raincoat. Five miles in the mud doesn’t sound like much fun to me, but I’m doing it anyway.

Me and Jane will be riding to Mannford together. It’s about a 23 mile drive. We can choose to drive the turnpike or the scenic country roads. It will be the turnpike if its raining, but right now the sun is shining and it doesn’t really look like rain. If the sun is shining we’ll take the scenic route.

I’m looking forward to the new experience and new distance–5 miles.

The main word I use for “tag surfer” is running. One day I wanted to find sites with other keywords so I deleted the word “running.”

Now I can’t enter a new term. In fact, I can’t even click in the blank box for adding new words.

What can I do to remedy this situation? How do I get the “tag surfer” to work again?”

I need help!

Well, I ran the “Run Short, Run Long” race on Saturday, but I didn’t do the 20K after all.

When we arrived at Mohawk Park it wasn’t real cold, temperature-wise. It was about 38 degrees. But…the 25 mile per hour winds cut to the bone and it felt much colder than 38. However, if the sun would have been shining I would have gone ahead and run the 20K. Instead of sunshine, it was overcast and we got some light rain with a little sleet mixed in.

Me and Katie and Jane huddled at the starting line to keep warm and the three of us walked part of the 5k. Katie had planned to walk the 5k so she was right on target with her fitness and running schedule. Jane and I were both supposed to be running the 20k but the wind and sleet changed that. We ended up doing a run/jog/walk in the 5k. I was thrilled when I found a neck scarf my husband had left in the truck. I used it to block the wind from my face.

The path/road/trail had areas that were covered in ice that still lingered from the ice storms of two weeks ago. They had cleared one side of the road, salted it, and put up cones to divide the cleaned side from the icey side and to protect the runners from slipping on the ice.

The “Run Short, Run Long” was the smallest race I have ever participated in. There were only 46 finishers for the 5K and only 43 finishers in the 20K. But there were not 89 participants. Some of the runners ran both the 5k and the 20k. I would estimate that there were probably about 60-75 runners total.

The awards were given out in one of the park’s shelters and there was a fire going in the fireplace. It was nice.

5K Top Finishers
MALES
1 Cameron George Springdale AR 17 - 17:27
2 Ethan Pollock    Edmond OK 16 - 17:31
3 Matt Wilson      Owasso OK 16 - 18:32

FEMALES
1 Terri Cassel    Tulsa OK 45 - 19:43
2 Jennifer Johnson Tulsa OK 29 - 24:09
3 Mary Twarog      Girard KS 50 - 27:11

20K Top Finishers
MALES
1 Kendall Robbins Owasso OK 18 - 1:09:32
2 Pete Orban    Claremore OK 51 - 1:14:02
3 John Stukey   Broken Arrow OK 53 - 1:20:27

FEMALES
1 Jennifer Johnson  Tulsa OK 29 - 1:31:46
2 Muge Sahinalp  Tulsa OK 31 - 1:37:28
3 Margaret Paul   Owasso OK 40 - 1:44:24

We expected snow storms this weekend and am I ever glad that didn’t happen–at least not in Tulsa. Instead, it rained all day yesterday. I guess the snow moved from Ponca City to Kansas and stayed away from us.

So far, 26 deaths have been attributed to the recent wintry weather.

I borrowed these two photos from the Tulsa World. Click on this link. You’ve got to see these photos of the way the ice has left our state. You can also click on the photos below to view more ice photographs.