Training Essentials: The Jury's Still Out on KT Tape

Note: As we get closer to Boston (only 13 days to go), I'm going to highlight some of the things that have been "essential" to me during training. Now, for all you literalists out there, by essential I simply mean things I wouldn't want to train without.

One of my favorite part about big races is the goodie bag. I know there's tons of crap in the bag that no one will ever use and countless trees are killed in the process, but I still love dumping the contents out on my bed or the hotel room floor. Sifting through them, you find things like energy bar samples, coupons, race flyers, and sometimes something useful. A year or so ago--I don't remember which race it was now--I received a sample of KT tape in a race bag. I had no use for it, but I decided to hold onto it. Now I'm glad I did.

A few days after I started having Achilles pain I saw someone running in Central Park wearing KT tape. I remembered my sample and decided to try it out. Well, that was 2+ weeks ago and I'm hooked on the stuff. Now, big disclaimer, I have no idea if this stuff works. As I explained earlier, following the initial onset of pain, I immediately took several days off of running, iced my Achilles twice a day, and took ibuprofen. It was only after doing all these things that I tried the tape and tried running again. In fact, there are a number of studies that suggest the tape may not be all that effective.

Now that I've called the stuff sufficiently into question, if you're still interested in trying the stuff, here's my two cents. KT Tape is widely available at sporting goods stores and running shops but I don't think it's as good as the original Kinesio Tex Gold tape. In my experience, KT doesn't stick quite as well and so you don't get as long of a use out it. Kinesio Tex tape seems to last longer. 

Also, although KT makes uncut rolls, most of their tape comes in pre-cut strips. The problem with pre-cut strips is that they don't fit every use. If you're going to buy tape from either brand, I recommend buying the uncut rolls and cutting them yourself. You'll get more bang for your buck and have a wider range of options.
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Today's Run: 4.2 miles at 8:00 pace. 

My Miracle Cure - Rest

Like many type A people runners, I don't like taking rest days but after my Achilles tendon started bothering me over the weekend I realized that rest was my only option if I want to make it to the starting line in Boston. Well, loyal readers (hi Mom!), I am happy to report that rest seems to be working.

I've been icing my tendon twice day, taking ibuprofen (though I'm weaning myself off of that that since I started taking it 5 days ago) and taping the tendon using KT Tape (jury's still out on this one, I'll report back when the verdict is in). After an easy test run yesterday morning there was no pain. I can't tell you how ecstatic I was to be able to run 5 miles and feel, well, nothing!

Today I decided to give a long run a try with a run to work. If I run the most direct route it's 9.1 miles but there are plenty of subway stops near my run. I told myself if I felt any pain during the run I would immediately stop and head to the nearest train. Thankfully, there was no pain. In fact, after working a few cobwebs off (after three days of no running and one day of slow miles my legs felt a little unresponsive at first), I felt really good. I managed a few marathon pace (MP) miles midway through the run.

As I got closer to my office I decided to keep going. Since I work in the Financial District where Manhattan comes to a point, I can easily add miles to my run by continuing down and around instead of taking the first turn-off for my office so that's what I did. The result, 12 pain free miles! I could have jumped for joy but I didn't want to push my luck.

Now I'm not naive enough to think I'm completely out of the woods--whatever was wrong with my tendon is not completely healed--so I'll be playing it safe for the next couple of weeks. I may even throw in some extra rest days, but for now I'm just thankful to be able to run!
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Today's Run: 12 miles at 7:30 pace. It was super foggy this morning: