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By Marisa Aitken
February 09, 2012
Category: Heel Pain, Runners

Having never considered myself much of an athlete, let alone spent any time running, in 2004 I strangely convinced myself to run a half marathon.  The Detroit Free Press Marathon really appealed to me because it offered what no other marathon does: two international border crossings and an underwater mile through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.  With less than two months to train, I hit the pavement. 

Autumn in Michigan is nothing short of breathtaking.  Vibrant colors of changing leaves helped take my mind off the pain I was experiencing in just about every part of my body.  I did most of my training at a beautiful park with a scenic eight-mile pathway winding through hills and woods, often with views of the lake the path surrounded (which inevitably sparked my on-and-off-again love affair with running).  The cool temperatures were ideal, and two months later, I ran the half with an overall time of 2:13.  Being a novice runner, I had no idea if that was good or bad – I was just happy I finished.

The experience of participating in such an amazing event had me convinced; next year I was going to run the full marathon!  I was going to keep training throughout the year so I would be prepared and ready for next fall’s event!  And then winter set in.  Snow, sleet, slop.  Yuck.  As much as I despise the cold (and running in snow), my disdain for treadmills is even stronger.  

Fast-forward seven years.  The on-and-off-again love affair continues.  Although running has consistently been a part of my exercise regimen, there has been no distance training to speak of.  I now live in Florida where the weather is optimal for outdoor activities.  I had heard about a small group of runners that trained a few times a week, and decided to give it a whirl.  Within a couple of months, I’m back up to eight-mile distance runs on the on the beach (talk about beautiful scenery), and the rest is an up-hill battle at the bridge. 

I’ve always had some knee issues when running distance, but for the first time I’m finding other pains creeping in (maybe I’m just getting old).  As the Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates, I have full access to five of the best podiatrists in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Palm Coast, and Orange City.  A runner’s dream! 

When I began experiencing heel pain, (especially when I first got out of bed in the morning), I learned that I was suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, a condition common to runners.  Being the typical hard-headed runner, I wasn’t willing to hang up my shoes just yet.  With the help of custom orthotics made at our office, I have been able to continue training and have run three 5k’s, and a 10k (that is a picture of me getting my 2nd place award at the Daytona Speedway 5k race).   My heel pain is going away and I am looking forward to the next event!

By Marisa Aitken

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