This year has been a struggle. From weight gain to lethargy, I’ve had some real running issues this year. One of the main things that’s plagued my routine is a week left ankle. There isn’t a sharp pain but it goes week sometimes on my runs and the day after always presents soreness. I tried a couple of cheap drug store compression ankle braces but there was always something wrong with them. They were often too thin, didn’t give my ankle enough support or had irritating seams that caused discomfort or worse, blisters. Disgusted with my options I found my saving grace, CEP’s RxOrtho Ankle Brace.

When I pulled it out of the box, it was immediately apparent that this was the brace for me. The first thing that I was immediately drawn too was that it was a complete sleeve – no heal cutout!!! On every other brace I had purchased, that heal cutout was a major issue. It never feels comfortable and there’s no way to prevent chaffing, even wearing it over the sock.

The other thing that impressed me were the silicone ankle supports on both sides of the ankle brace. Once you slip it on, you can immediately feel the support for your ankle. By providing an ankle measurement, this ankle brace fits snug and the compression material hugs your foot and feels just like a regular compression sock. So it fits well…how does it perform?

My first run in the RxOrtho ankle brace had high expectations. I was coming off a bad bought of ankle weakness and was itching to run again after taking a couple of weeks off. After warming up for a mile and getting the kinks worked out, the brace worked like a charm. That extra support I needed for my ankle was there and the discomfort was nonexistent. It felt so good that I actually put in a couple more miles than I was planning to. I was able to wear it under my sock with no slippage and the breathable fabric made it wick the sweat away easily.

The key was going to be the day after. Even though there was a little soreness, it wasn’t like days before the ankle brace. I’ve used it on numerous short and long runs with no complaints.

If you’re having ankle issues, I highly recommend CEP’s RxOrtho Ankle Brace. I really don’t know what I would do without it.

RMFR

My comeback from a semi-sedentary summer has suffered a minor setback. For weeks now, I’ve been battling a feeling of weakness in my left ankle. It’s a hard injury for me to pinpoint because there was no traumatic event that lead to this injury. It just kind of showed up. It’s not overly painful (except in the mornings) but makes it difficult to put significant weight on my foot let alone run on it.

On my previous 6 runs, I was able to run through it. After a 1/2 mile or so it would loosen up enough that I could continue without affecting my stride. It shows up towards the end when I start to tire. If I had a race tomorrow, I could probably run through the pain but since I have 11 weeks left in my training schedule, I’m going to try and nip this in the bud before it gets worse.

It’s hard to interrupt a training schedule due to injury. To shut it down not only effects you physically but mentally. As runners, we’re used to breaking through walls and toughing it out but sometimes we need to look ahead. History tells me the taking the time off to heal early will benefit me later on.

I guess the only golden lining in this story is that I’ll have more time to write now that I’ll be sitting out this week.

RMFR

I was really hoping for my injury bug to take a change for the better. To my surprise, I’m in the same spot I was exactly at this time last year. After the Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon last year, my hips were spent. I had issues with bursitis all year last year and back to back marathons (Vegas and Disney World) I was out of action for a good couple of months.

This year is presenting a similar issue. I struggled after trying to PR Vegas this year. While I didn’t “officially” come away injured, I think it took it’s toll more I thought. I took my usual week off from running the week after the marathon. I put together a maintenance training plan to begin my 11 for 2011. Nothing too aggressive, just enough to keep sharp between races.

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Like most runners, when things go wrong, we try to figure things out ourselves. With all the running we do, we begin to learn things about our bodies and how things work. Granted, there’s no replacement for a physician’s diagnosis – but most of the time, we can come up with our own.

I took 5 days off recently for a ache/pain/tightness I was feeling in my right ankle. Personally, this injury was something new that I’ve never experienced before. To put it in general terms, it’s an ache I’m feeling on the top of my ankle as it connects toward my shin. It isn’t a sharp pain but sometimes feels like a weakness in the ankle. It doesn’t necessarily affect my running but it’s a discomfort that is unsettling at times.

After some time off, I then went out and put my ankle to the test with an easy 5-mile run. After an easy first mile and no sign of the pain, I mixed up my paces to test it under different circumstance. I didn’t feel anything during my run but it has showed up again a day later. This got me wondering and I did a little internet exploring.

My unprofessional diagnosis is a Superior Extensor Retinaculum Injury. Defined by Podiatry Today, “it’s a overuse injury in athletes where chronic tendinitis can occur above the superior extensor retinaculum in the musculotendinous junction. This condition is closely related to abnormal biomechanics and excessive pronation.” I am an overpronater so this fits right in with the diagnosis. They suggest using the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) treatment for this injury – which pretty much covers 90% of running injuries that I’ve encountered.

As with all injuries, if this worsens, I will seek medical help. Until then I’ll resume my taper and hope that with a little TLC that it will work itself out. After 700+ miles and no previous injuries this year, I guess I can expect an overuse injury. It also has told me that after the Walt Disney World Marathon that it’s time for a little rest before I crank it up again next year.

RMFR