I started up jogging again.

Good luck.

Sorry to hear about the health issues. I have had only slight neuropathy in one foot. Guess with all the miles I've logged I'm lucky to not have more health issues. I've almost always trained in trail running shoes and worn two pairs of socks (cotton over nylon) every run. I think the extra cushioning has helped. I turn my socks inside out to keep the seams away from my feet to prevent micro compression and hot spots that may cause blisters.

I promised my doctor, and myself, no training for and running in races until I see a cardiologist. She wanted me to go last year, but I didn't. I just quit running. Now that I've agreed to go, she said it may take months to get an appt since I am not in immediate danger. My arrythmia goes away as long as I don't train hard and get my resting HR down around 40bpm or less.

So for now, 5 miles is the most I've jogged since starting up again. I averaged just over 9 min/mile and only stopped twice for a quick breather. For me, that's about 30" off my normal training pace. Weather was perfect though and that definitely helped because I'm still a turd after 8 months off.

 

As time has gone on I embrace more minimalist shoe wear. I love being barefoot as much as I can at home and do a lot in flip flops now that its warmer. I feel it engages my muscle more.

I also have been doing more toe yoga for toe strength too.

It sucks how long it takes to wait for docs I have to wait till the end of July to see a specislist. Its frustrating.

hows the ankle?

 

Wow, I never heard of toe yoga. I'm gonna look that up.

The ankle hurts a little when I first start out, but usually quits as I go. Not sure if that's endorphins kicking in or what, but pain is not too bad anyway. Never returned to normal size. It'll be fine I think.

From here on out, my running is just for fun, not for sport. It's like I told my doctor, once I "sobered up" from those running highs and really looked at how hard I was pushing for a guy my age, I realized maybe I needed this to happen.

 

Its kinda cool when you look up videos on how to do it. It gives you better muscular control in your feet.

Yeah with any cardio you should do 80% minimum easy pace. Which the best general rule Ive seen is 150 minus age. That would be the max HR you want to train at 80-100% of the time. Known also as Zone 2.

When I had my knee surgery (I was able to run up until the day of surgery) I used the MAF method while I was only able to walk/hike before I could return to running. I was off a total of 4 months and came back a better runner than I left. My easy pace dropped 2 minutes per mile once I returned.

 

Nice! Love my minimalist shoes now and wear them often. Took a bit to get used to walking long distances in them, but when I shortened my stride and focused more on mid/fore foot strike vs heel, it was like a lightbulb. When I have an event where I'll be STANDING a lot (last weekend at Monster Jam) I simply opt for zero drop shoes with a bit more cushion. I feel it much more in my calves vs my hips/back. Lots of work to be done still for me...

 

My wearing of trail shoes and doubling up on socks is kind of a two-part strategy. Primarily I've just always felt the less shock I allowed to travel beyond my feet the better. But second, I've always kept a pair of very light shoes that had been marketed as race shoes and bought when I was younger and less knowledgeable about what worked best for me.

Those shoes have 4-500 miles on them so broken in to shape of my feet. After doing all of my training in trail shoes + 2 sets of socks, I wear those shoes in races. Man, my feet feel light as feathers. Maybe actual, maybe placebo, but I feel like it cuts at least 10 seconds a mile off my times. When I am standing on the start line, it gives me an extra boost of confidence knowing I have that advantage over my training times.

 

It took me awhile to adjust to the zero drop but now that I have there is no going back.

I run exclusively in Altras now. Since Ive gotten into trail running I prefer the wide toe box.

Double socks would be blister hell for me.

Plus socks don’t do anything to cushion impact. Shit I don’t think shoes do anything to really influence impact. Your muscles will be taking in 98% of the impact regardless.

I’m not a barefoot thumper but padded shoes to me are all bullshit marketing. Thats why I hate HOKAS.

Different strokes for different folks. We all have different phisiology.

 

following up. i am still at it. i have added a stricter diet to the suffering.

to be honest, i think the only one losing weight is my dog. hahahha...i do feel better. more awake, and the satisfaction of doing something good for myself is undeniable.

my dog has the routine down. he can read my breathing i think. he knows before i do, when i need to slow down. he stays at my side. what a good boy!

 

agree. running socks are thin and slick for me. slick is key..to be honest, i am not running any blister distances anyways.

 

Love that you're still going at it! Because I agree about what you said in your first post, starting back is the hardest. I run year round and have for many years. But I take two weeks off 2x a year after my major marathon efforts. And even restarting after two weeks is hard! You fall out of the routine so fast and getting back into it is very difficult!

Keep it up man!

 

update. the results are shocking.

i am still trending downwards in body weight. eating better is becoming habitual. around the holidays was a challenge, since my body is sponsored by pecan pie. i passed on all sweets and pushed away from the table at 70% full.

jogging. much much easier and more enjoyable. my lungs dont wheeze anymore. haha...my heartrate is not redlining that often. resting HR is way way better.

still going jogging daily. well, not the days i am kayak fishing.