What 'kind' of foot/ankle problem? Tendonitis? If so, that can be dealt with before IM. I had that problem up until a few weeks ago. A short layoff, some PT, icing, a Strassberg Sock, running with compression socks and heal lifts in my shoes have put the problem to rest--hopefully for good.

I'd go see your doctor and get a correct diagnosis if you have not. Explain your situation. My doctor was very understanding and willing to try different things to get me through my race which is now 7 weeks out.

I didn't run for 4 weeks before an IM, come race day, I had no issues. The goal is to get to the race line at 100%.
This is what I used, and it worked, I didn't believe it would, but it did:

http://kropelnicki.com/?p=139

Sounds like water running is the best option. Also sounds like you might be a surgery candidate after IM if all that isn't helping. Realistically, it would be hard to continue IMs or any races for that matter, without getting the PF under control first. I hope you get it figured out and you get to the finish line on IM day.

[quote=vjohnson]I didn't run for 4 weeks before an IM, come race day, I had no issues. The goal is to get to the race line at 100%.[/quote]

+1

"Under-train and you won't finish. Over-train and you won't start" (ie, push through an injury). You can fake a sprint and Olympic. But training through this or trying to "run" 26.2 with a bum wheel means a miserable seven hour walk or further injury. IMHO, I'd cease and desist any and all running until you are 100%, and that may mean you do no real road work between now and then. Oh well, that happens. Yes, you could do pool "running", but it won't help real running (unless the swim is really shallow). It may help with overall cardio conditioning, but you can/will get that from the bike and swim. Come race day, you'd see much, much more ROI on your training time if you transfer the weekly hours over to the bike and swim (mostly to the bike, though). For example, if you were called to run 3hrs this weeks, add 2hrs to the weekly bike and 1hr to the weekly swim prescriptions. Heal, show up on race day knowing you will OWN the swim and bike, then as you leave T2 thinking, "Wow, I fell pretty good. That bike wasn't too bad. Now let's see how this run thing goes." You'll know within the first mile if the recovery time worked.

[quote=TriSooner][quote=vjohnson]I didn't run for 4 weeks before an IM, come race day, I had no issues. The goal is to get to the race line at 100%.[/quote]

+1

"Under-train and you won't finish. Over-train and you won't start" (ie, push through an injury). You can fake a sprint and Olympic. But training through this or trying to "run" 26.2 with a bum wheel means a miserable seven hour walk or further injury. IMHO, I'd cease and desist any and all running until you are 100%, and that may mean you do no real road work between now and then. Oh well, that happens. Yes, you could do pool "running", but it won't help real running (unless the swim is really shallow). It may help with overall cardio conditioning, but you can/will get that from the bike and swim. Come race day, you'd see much, much more ROI on your training time if you transfer the weekly hours over to the bike and swim (mostly to the bike, though). For example, if you were called to run 3hrs this weeks, add 2hrs to the weekly bike and 1hr to the weekly swim prescriptions. Heal, show up on race day knowing you will OWN the swim and bike, then as you leave T2 thinking, "Wow, I fell pretty good. That bike wasn't too bad. Now let's see how this run thing goes." You'll know within the first mile if the recovery time worked.
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Could not agree more. A 3-4 week layoff now and getting 100% is going to be much better than dragging a bum foot around on race day.

+1 to resting and recovering from running. I would not run until you feel healed. I do think pool running is a good substitute as it still works your hip flexors and keeps your muscle memory going. I would take 2/3 running hours for the week and add it to bike, with the other 1/3 to pool running.

I would also not sign up for another Ironman until you are fully healed. FWIW, I had a complete cessation of plantar fasciitis when I switched to ChiRunning. Also ditched my IT band support, and have run injury free for 6 years. Most of my running now (including last week's trail marathon) is in Vibram FiveFingers.

+ 1 on Ironmoms point about the hip flexor action, that is really the only thing water running does, is just maintain that muscle memory. As a result, you have to run in deep water, and mimic the running motion as much as possible. It isn't an up and down motion, but more like a sweeping action, to engage those hips

[quote=vjohnson]+ 1 on Ironmoms point about the hip flexor action, that is really the only thing water running does, is just maintain that muscle memory. As a result, you have to run in deep water, and mimic the running motion as much as possible. It isn't an up and down motion, but more like a sweeping action, to engage those hips[/quote]

Plus of course it's boring and it really really sucks. So it gets you ready for the Ironman run ;-) But I wouldn't be speaking from recent experience or anything...

WF, you will get to the start line and you will finish strong and be thankful that you didn't get a blood clot in your leg 10 weeks out from your Ironman that may have scuttled your starting hopes. Thats my reality.

Water running is the ticket, no impact but at least some benefit, without the impact.