I have a number of challengers in the world of running, but there are only two that I’d consider bitter rivals: My left foot and my right foot.
My feet take a pounding every time I lace up, and it’s a rare occasion when I can complete a workout without some sort of ache or soreness. But recently I felt an old, but familiar pain, shoot up from my heels. The culprit: plantar fasciitis.
For those who are unfamiliar, plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. For those who are familiar, the pain of the inflammation at the bottom of the foot, near the heel, can be searing. Even basic activities, like walking, can be a painful challenge.
My first interaction with PF came very early in my running career, and it was a weeks-long march of misery. I can vividly remember the stabbing feeling that came from my feet every time I rose from my bed. Limping through each day, I began to worry that my time as a runner was over before it even had a chance to start.
I tried everything – rest, massage, shoe inserts, pain meds and even rolling my feet on frozen water bottles — but nothing could relieve the pain. Just when I was ready to chalk up PF as part of “getting old” I received a message from an old friend and cross country coach. His suggestion: Try the Strassburg Sock.
Invented by Terry Strassburg in the late ’90s as an alternative to bulky night splints, the sock features a velcro strap that extends from the toes to the knees. It constantly keeps the foot stretched out, and although the process comes with some expected discomfort, it’s the only thing that has worked for me.
I remember the feeling of relief and joy that washed over me the first morning I woke up with no pain. I’ve been preaching the good word of the Strassburg Sock ever since.
Fast forward to last week, when the PF once again reared its ugly head. This time, however, the biggest challenge I faced was searching for the drawer in which I stowed away my sock. It took just two days for the foot problem that once took over my life to disappear.
I’m already back on the road, and it feels good to once again run relatively pain free. Plantar fasciitis is a common problem for runners, but I’m hoping that by sharing my story, it won’t be a permanent one.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
More than 100 runners turned out for The Cinnamon Bun Run 5K in Smithsburg, including dozens from the Local.News1.org coverage area.
Several locals landed in the Top 10, including Waynesboro’s Michael Hassett (2nd in 20:18), Hagerstown’s Thomas Williams (4th in 23:27) and Jonah Croteau (5th in 24:06), and Fairfield’s Mark Parry (7th in 24:45). Samantha Roberts, of Greencastle, finished as second female in 27:29. Other top times were recroded by Smithsburg’s Aaron Schwarzenegger (25:56) and Ron Keplinger (28:15), Hagerstown’s Maksymillian Jaremko (28:19) and Rich Bryson (28:35), and Fairfield’s Reganne Engstler (29:55).
John Brown, of Hagerstown, was a star at the Susquehanna River Run Half Marathon in Havre de Grace, Md. Competing in a field of 644 runners, Brown finished fourth overall in 1:19:00. The Susquehanna River Run 5K included a finish from Hagerstown’s Umair Baig in 29:18.
In Shippensburg, the Five Forks Church Autumn Harvest 5K featured a small, but mighty, race field. Waynesboro’s Nate Snyder won the race in 18:06 to top the field of 33 runners. He was joined in the Top 10 by Greencastle’s Mason Shaner (3rd in 21:46), Waynesboro’s Josh Snyder (4th in 22:07) and Simon Egolf (6th in 23:53), Fort Loudon’s Dennis Reamer II (5th in 22:46), and Chambersburg’s John Gow (8th in 25:44).
Lock Haven served as the backdrop for the Boulder Beast 24 Mile and 25K. Chambersburg’s Ryan Kaczmark finished the 24 Mile in 5:28:48, while Hagerstown’s Jana Fridrichova posted a 5:40:45 to take third in the 40-49 AG. A trio of Chambersburg runners crossed the finish line in the 25K: Alex Kaczmark (3:22:56), Richard Myers (3:40:17), and Joan Myers (6:32:06).
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Waynesboro’s Meghan Neumann (3:55:30 at Giant Acorn Triathlon), Chambersburg’s Quentin Roberts (22:12 at Uprise Festival 5K), Ainslee Ackerman (25:16 at Hershey Miracle 5K), Jake Orndorff (2:04:09 at Philadelphia Distance Run Half Marathon), and Madison Bidniuk (6:11:35 at Air Force Marathon), Hagerstown’s Thomas Williams (6:11), Jacob Simpson (27:41 at Some Gave All 5K), Dana Diehl (38:50 at Strides for Strength 5K), and Nesprolie Elveus (3:51:03 at Parks Half Marathon), and Greencastle’s Landon Summers (26:31 at Run Wild for Autism 5K) and Marielle Gross (34:11 at Move4Her 5K).
And now, a look ahead:
Live Laugh Love 5K: Saturday, 10 a.m., in Shippensburg. Remember the life of Amanda Kay Strous and support the Flyhigh22 Foundation with this race. Register for the event on timberhilltiming.com.
Cumberland Valley TrailFest 5K/13.1M: Saturday, Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m., in Shippensburg. Walk, hike, run, or ride for this multi-race event, now in its 19th running. Sign up for the race on timberhilltiming.com.
Dash for Down Syndrome 5K: Sunday, Oct. 5, 1 p.m., in Fayetteville. Norlo Park will serve as the backdrop for this race, in its fourth running. Learn more about the event on timberhilltiming.com.
Also: Beware of Barracuda Triathlon (Saturday, in Hazleton); HEAL Color Splash 5K (Saturday, in Hagerstown, Md.); Goose Day 5K (Saturday, in Lewistown); Laurel Highlands Ultra 50K (Saturday, in Somerset); Medal Madness 5K/10K/13.1M (Saturday, in Hughesville); Marilla Trail Race 7M/14M (Saturday, in Bradford); Medal Madness 5K/10K (Saturday, in Manheim); SECA 5K (Saturday, in Harrisburg); Viaduct Trail Ultramarathon 50M/100M (Saturday, in Lanesboro); Water Gap 25K/50K (Saturday, in Milford); York White Rose Run 5 Miler (Saturday, in York); Conestoga Trail Run 10K (Sunday, in Holtwood); Delco 10 Miler (Sunday, in Media); Hauser Hill Spiked Apple 5K (Sunday, in Biglerville); Holden’s Light 5K (Sunday, in Harrisburg); NPTR Green Mile Loop Challenge 6H (Sunday, in Allison Park); Cornwell Elementary 5K (Friday, Oct. 3, in Lebanon); Lititz recCenter Youth Triathlon (Friday, Oct. 3, in Lititz); Red Barn Challenge 6H/12H/24H (Friday, Oct. 3, in Lykens); Funnel Cake 5K (Saturday, Oct. 4, in New Holland); Camp Innabah Fall Classic 5M (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Spring City); Chernisky Ghost Town Trail-a-thon 5K/15M/26.2M (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Ebensburg); Ginger Goudie Memorial 5K (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Mount Joy); Gritty 5K (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Philadelphia); Hartz PT Fall Blast 5K (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Lititz); Harvest Hustle 5K (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Reading); Haunted 1M/5K/10K (Saturday, Oct. 4, in New Cumberland); Homeland Hospice 5K (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Mechanicsburg); Haunted 5K/10K/Half Marathon (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Biglerville); Hop Dash 5K (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Hershey); Oil Creek Trail Runs 25K/50K/100K/100M (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Titusville); Snack Town RunFest 5K/13.1M (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Hanover); Strasburg Half Marathon (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Strasburg); YMCA October Half Marathon (Saturday, Oct. 4, in Hollidaysburg); Black Forest Ultra 100K (Sunday, Oct. 5, in Hyner Run State Park); Blues Cruise 50K (Sunday, Oct. 5, in Reading); Bridge to Bridge Run 51.8M (Sunday, Oct. 5, in Washington Crossing); EdK Run 5K (Sunday, Oct. 5, in Chambersburg); Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K (Sunday, Oct. 5, in Pittsburgh); Shoes ‘N Brews 26.2K Metric Marathon (Sunday, Oct. 5, in Conshohocken); Zoey’s Fun Run 5K (Sunday, Oct. 5, in York).
