Louboutins or...

These.  Custom made orthotics.  The cost is the same, and the Louboutins are far more attractive.  Whoever thinks running is cheap should come and talk to me.

I've been making my way through orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists and the like since my first attempt with Team in Training, January 2009.  It seems the accrued injuries only make me want to run more.  I want a permanent fix, that will finally get me to a finish line.

My newest orthopedist in Philly, Dr. Maenpaa, recommended after bloodwork and another MRI that I see Dr. Cohen and get orthotics make to fix the imbalances in my foot.  (Imbalances?  What imbalances?)
So, I went.  Drove out to the 'burbs to get examined by the famous 'Dr. Cohen.'  After watching me walk, he explained there are 2 arches in the foot, the main lateral one and a 2nd which arches longitudinally across the front ball of the foot.  This arch was high.  This explains why when I tried store bought inserts my stress fracture moved from my tibia to my femur.

One more onset of tears and the mold was made.  However, construction couldn't begin until I had my bone scan which determined if my right and left legs were even.  Dr. Cohen thinks my left is slightly higher.  So, I've walked with one leg longer than the other for the past 23 years and had no idea?! We'll see.
The construction seemed complex, using kevlar and specialized polymers as material.  Engineering for doctors.  Are they hiring?

$600 later, I'm willing to give it a shot (with fingers crossed they work, of course).  Louboutins will never get me to 26.2 so if these do they're well worth the money, time spent and not so attractive look.

Stay tuned.

Tour de Shore

90 degrees before 7am, 100% humidity.

After realizing I forgot my bike gloves and body glide (uh, oh), I hopped on my bike ready to ride.  Thanks to kettle bells my hands are already callused and the lack of bike gloves saved me some pretty strange tan lines.  The first mile from 20th and Walnut to the Ben Franklin Bridge, was slow.  Lots of riders with no where to go.  Unfortunately we were stopped midway up the bridge and had to restart with no acceleration.

By mile 5, riders spread out and the real ride began.  Small roads through New Jersey, lots of pot holes and as a result lots of flats.  Thankfully, I didn't get one.  (I probably should learn how to change a tire quickly one of these days...)

Our speed made the air feel a bit cooler and the humidity less intense.  We got off the bike at all 4 rest stops and I forced myself to rehydrate before getting back on.  The ride was scenic, who knew I'd ever say that about New Jersey.

We reached a turning point with a large intersection 7 miles from the finish.  There was still some fuel left and we ended averaging 21 mph, not bad :-).

We got to the finish and each had a beer, which affected our bodies far too much.  (If only we could get drunk off 1 beer all the time...  )  My cycling shoes were hot, uncomfortable and difficult to walk in so we found a typical AC Boardwalk store and bought some much needed flip flops!!!




Overall it was great, I'm so glad I didn't back out.  If my friend Lizzie hadn't come from DC to ride with me, I may have.  So, thanks Lizzie!