Columbia Sandals

I have had these Columbia Sandals for several years and I really like them.  I recently found that I can also run with them.  So far, I have been wearing socks.  But I am tempted to run without the socks and see if they make any difference.  Can't believe this.  Have been buying running shoes and getting hurt. Now, I run on my old sandals and my feet are perfectly fine!

I would love to run a 5K with these sandals. No PR, just run for fun, maybe pacing my son.

Run Test

Ran the Melrose-Mormon Trek Loop (2.5 miles) in huaraches. Testing if the blister is getting better and can handle a short run. It did. Blister did not bother and stress fracture did not bother either. However, my body felt out of shape. Deciding what kind of run I can do tomorrow...  Probably going for four miles with Karen at a slow pace might be better than doing 2.5 miles at a faster pace.

More injuries

Came back from Merida. Decided to run in huaraches on Monday. Running felt good, but I got a blister on the bottom of my left foot close to my toes. The next day, decided to go for another run in huaraches. This time, the blister got worse and now I can hardly walk. It's only a blister, so I hope it gets better soon. The doctor recommended keeping the injury clean and putting an antimicrobial.  He also suggested some bandage and cushioning. 

Assen had a track meet yesterday (Iowa City Elementary Track and Field Days). He ran a couple of races, 50 m and hurdles).  He did very well, perfect running form (I am jealous).
Iowa City Elementary Track and Field Days

Walking Barefoot

Went to this indoor track at the Field House. Assen was swimming with his team while I went walking, barefoot walking. Listening to an audio book made time go faster. Couldn't resist to run for the last five minutes. I believe my foot is getting stronger. My left foot feels stronger though. I hope to start running after I come back from Mexico. 

RiverRun 5K 2014

Cannot express how much I enjoyed running next to my son for 5K. He is a very good swimmer, but not sure what kind of endurance runner he can be. I decided to let him do his own race, and my job was just to encourage him to keep going. He gave me a few excuses about why he needed to walk, but I encouraged him to just keep going and gave him a few tips while running. Although we did not run as fast as I wanted to, I was impressed with his energy and his will to do a good job. I hope we can run many other races together as a team. It was a great day for running. We ran at a 11:52 MM pace. I am very proud of him!

RiverRun 2014

Garmin Link

La bicicleta

The sport medicine doctor suggested me to stop running for four weeks and maybe bicycle instead. Weather has not been cooperative until this morning. Grabbed some clothes to bundle up and got on the bike. It felt so heavy, but that must be a better exercise. Rode to the end of the clear creek trail, which totaled almost nine miles. Cycling should be helping my legs get stronger, and hopefully, will allow me to stay away from injuries.

MRI on April 17

Talked to the sports medicine doctor and told him I still have some pain on the foot when I run.  He suggested me to get an MRI, which I got the next day.

This is what the doctor observed on the MRI:
Indication: Stress fracture of second metatarsal seen on the plain film.
Findings: There is heterogeneous cortical thickening of the second metatarsal bone that extends from the base of the metatarsal to the midshaft. There is mild marrow edema with mild surrounding periosteal edema. Lisfranc's ligament is intact. The remaining bony structures are intact. Otherwise, the signal within the musculature of the foot is unremarkable.

Recommendation: stop running for about four weeks. I am allowed to bike if biking does not cause any pain. Swimming is another option. 

It is so hard for me to stop running, but I will have to do it for the next four weeks. I will re-evaluate things by the last week of May.