Saving my sneakers!

This is going to seem pretty pathetic, but it is true: I have some running shoes that I bought, thought were great, and then found they hurt my feet so they were relegated to the back of the closet. Where they sat, unworn, while my other running shoes racked up the (too many) miles.

I know, I know . . . I should have returned the shoes but by the time I got around to giving the shoes a proper test, and then making the decision that they did, truly, hurt my feet, it was too late for returns. So, in the closet they sat.

Until recently. I was sent a few pairs of Lock Laces(TM) to try out.

If you aren't familiar with these, Lock Laces are (according to their web site) "the only patented performance lacing system engineered to meet the demands of athletes like runners, triathletes, marathoners, and walkers . . . wearing Lock Laces sustains compression across the foot increasing the amount of oxygen available to the muscles, which helps endurance athletes manage fatigue."

What I found is this: Lock Laces saved my sneakers.

Those running shoes, sitting in the back of my closet? Well, one day I pulled them out. I decided to give Lock Laces a tough trial and use them in shoes that had always hurt.

I swapped out the laces and adjusted the new Lock Laces until the shoes felt (relatively) comfortable. This involved loosening the front part, up by my toes, to give some extra room where I have a bunion.

It worked. Now, I had tried this idea with traditional laces and I could never get it right. If the front part was loose, the rest of the lacing had to either be way too tight in order to compensate or would also be loose. Too loose.

So, it never worked. The elasticity of the Lock Laces allows more customization. It is great for runners like me! I can compensate for my bunion but still wear my shoes tight enough so they don't slip in the heel area.

Win!

And, check out how fun and funky they look:

These running shoes are no longer collecting dust in the back of closet. I can actually run in them!

I've also changed my son's sneakers over to Lock Laces and it makes getting ready in the morning a little quicker -- and, really, even if it adds 30 seconds to my day, I'll take it!

As for my shoes, it makes putting them on and taking them off quicker, certainly, since there is no tying involved. But, for me, the way they help customize the fit of my shoes is the real benefit. I'm sold!

You can learn more about Lock laces on their web site. The laces sell for $7.99 or 3 for $19.99.

Have you tried Lock Laces? Do you like them?

Have a great day, everyone!

Recovery mistakes.

Yeah, I've made a few.

When I was first injured, I rested. Classic RICE. I also used the foam roller, massaged my hip with a tennis ball, popped Advil and, I admit, did some lower body exercises. For two weeks, that's what I did and for two weeks, my hip didn't get any better.

Then, I met with my doctor, got the results of my MRI and learned that I was, inadvertently, making my injury worse.

Sure, I wasn't running. But the foam rolling and tennis ball massaging were hurting my poor torn muscles. While those two actions are great treatments for tight muscles, they aren't good for torn muscles. They are, according to my doctor, bad. B.A.D. Bad.

And, the Advil. Yeah, also B.A.D. Bad. I thought that since Advil is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, it would be a good thing to take. Wrong. Since part of my problem is the hematoma, I need to avoid anything that will thin my blood, which is what ibuprofen does. So, for the same reason you aren't supposed to take ibuprofen before surgery, I shouldn't be taking it now. At least, according to my doctor.

Then there is the issue of the lower body exercise. Well, what can I say? I wasn't running! I thought that was good enough but it turns out it wasn't. No more squats and what-nots for me. For the next few weeks, that is.

As of Tuesday, I've been full-on resting as prescribed. And you know what? My hip is starting to feel better! It is probably mostly mental at this point but, I swear, it doesn't feel nearly as bad as it did a week ago. Hooray for progress!

And hooray for learning from my mistakes and no longer making them.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Happy runner, interrupted.

I met with my doctor today to go over my MRI. 

The good news: No fracture. 

The bad news: Two tears and hematoma. 

My gluteus minimus and tensor fascia latae are torn. The hematoma is just from the internal bleeding (from those tears). The doctor said he could aspirate the hematoma but recommended letting it resolve on its own. Otherwise, the treatment is just rest.

Rest for 4 more weeks. As in, no running. No. Running. For. Four. More. Weeks.

I'm to ice the area and rest. Avoid stairs and hills. If I don't have pain, I can walk (wooo!) and I can try out biking, if I'm so inclined. Honestly, I'm not all that inclined given that a) I don't own a bike and b) I'm about as spastic a bike rider as they get.

But, I might be tempted after another week or two of inactivity. We'll see. 

In the meantime, I'll do my best not to mope.

Yup.

If this blog gets too mopey, feel free to give me a virtual kick in the shin. What can it hurt? I can't run anyway.

Wah, wah.

Impatience is not a virtue.

I have been very good about resting my lame hip for the past 2+ weeks. Very good.

So on Sunday, when I went out for a walk, I thought I might live life on the edge just a little and run a few steps. To try out the hip. See if the rest is doing anything at all.

Apparently, my impatience was a bad idea.

After about a half mile walk, I ran maybe 5 steps. That's it. Five lousy steps. The pain was quick, searing and unbearable. I had to stop immediately and limp home.

Crushed.

It was not a good idea. I know this -- in hindsight. At the time, though, it didn't seem like such a bad idea. In fact, it seemed totally fine. Go for a walk. Run just a little bit to test things out. Walk as necessary.

I go back to the doctor tomorrow. Obviously, I'll be resting until then when he'll tell me . . . what? To be patient? Probably. He'll probably tell me to be patient. To rest. Let it heal.

Yeah. I'll get back to work on that patience thing! 

Have a good week, everyone --