December 28th, 2010
I’m a little injured. Nothing scary, but my right foot’s been troublesome for a few weeks now. I think it’s bursitis-related though in slightly different locations: one is my big toe knuckle on top of the foot and the other is the ball of my foot under the neighboring toe. I’ve had both these things before, though never at the same time, so while I’m not hugely concerned (it’s definitely not a bone thing) I’d like them to go away.
I’ve been wearing a moleskin donut over the big toe to keep it from touching the top of the shoe as well as putting a slit in my old Kinvaras for more room (that’s why I wore those shoes for so many days in a row). I’ve also been massaging the ball of my foot and using Arnica gel. What I stupidly did not do, and I’m not sure why, is to take ibuprofen until this Sunday. Had I done that from the start, it probably would have been done with in a week.
Anyway, even sans ibuprofen, I was feeling just about cured until Sunday’s 14 when both areas acted up. The snow storm had started and there I was in the park, in full winter gear, removing my shoe and sock (twice!) to rearrange the moleskin so it’d hurt less. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a more comfortable placement and ended up alternately whining and cussing for several miles until it shifted on its own to a less hurty position.
During this swearing festival, I also swore to take 2 or 3 days off in a row to get this thing nipped – a decision made infinitely easier thanks to the crappy running conditions the blizzard left behind. The cool thing is that it’s my cutback week anyway; I’d already planned 2 days off but was still going to end up with 49 miles (just a 10mi reduction) so a 3rd day off actually makes sense even without an injury.
It’s feeling like a normal foot as I sit here poking and prodding, so now the only question is whether to take that 3rd day off tomorrow or take a rest day between Friday’s hard day and Sunday’s 17. Decisions, decisions…
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Barefoot in the park? I suppose it’s opportune that this thing came at the same time as some crappy weather. Would a temporary shoe-swap help? Get well soon, Flo!
Best believe I’ve been swapping! Between the Kinvaras, Inspires 5 and 6, Elixirs and a day in the racing flats, the Kinvaras win as most comfortable/less irritation. Thanks for the get well, I think a multi-day round of ibuprofen will get this thing over with.
Take another day. Or wait to see how you feel when you wake up in the morning. One more day could be just what you need. Or you could always just chop off your foot.
I’m with Zab up until hacking your foot. I found continuous rest to be more beneficial than the odd day off.
I used to have an injury rule- the day you feel like you can go again, run the next day. Granted it’s for bigger stuff but it has served me well.
Moleskin sucks. How to they keep in on their bodies nice and tight?
Zab and Matt, good call. I can’t remember the last time I took 3 consecutive days off, so yeah, that sounds like the wisest move. OK, I think I’ll go for it (beats chopping it off, anyway).
Although cutting off part of your foot is a totally hardcore, old school shoe hack.
I am so sorry about your foot! I hope that it heals very quickly. I know taking time off is hard but you will be very thankful for it in the long run!
Since it’s crappy outside, I’m totally cool about taking the days off. Feeling a bit guilty for not dying to get out there, actually.
I’ve always got something to feel insecure about, lol.
Bursitis/capsulitis was the diagnosis for my current foot pain, too! Doesn’t seem to explain the shooting pains, but I’m overjoyed that the doc didn’t think it was a stress fracture or a neuroma. Metatarsal pad has helped things quite a bit… I’ve got high arches and those alien long second toes, so I guess that explains the bursitis/capsulitis under that toe. I giggled at the term “swearing festival” — I can’t believe you were tinkering around with the moleskin with your shoes and socks off out in that weather. Crazy!
Oh wow! Sorry you’re having it too, girl. I cut a piece of foam from my yoga mat yesterday when I saw “dancers pads” help (same as the metastarsal pad idea). Hope yours goes quickly.
annoying about the foot. i’d say go out and be all hardcore in this weather but i’m not exactly the one to get sound “ouch this hurts and i want to heal fast” advice hahah.
and “swearing festival”: it sounds so cozy and nice!
Excellent, if the Giggly Girl Gallery says “go out”, then I know staying in an extra day is the best thing to do.
hope your foot gets better asap! gosh your foot must have been freezing when you were rearranging the moleskin but good for you for still pushing through lol
Feels much better already, thanks. Hope to see you out there soon!
Good to read that it’s feeling better. Foot pain is always annoying. Don’t envy your freezing weather. It’s bloody beautiful down here right now
You deserve some beautiful weather. It sure cracks me up how we’re in opposite seasons all the time.
Ugh. I am having very similar issues right now. Semi-hurt, but running is still possible. Good news is that you “can” still run. Bad news is that we runners sometimes lack self-control to make wise decisions about our bodies. You’re a wise little lady, so I know you’ll do what’s best for you.
Happy New Year, Flo!!!!!
One of my most memorable weekends of 2010 was made great by YOU! I am determined to make our paths cross this year, too. Love ya!
Sorry to hear you’re also in hurting mode. I’m happy that I’m taking 3 days off but if it were forced off, I’d be freaking out right now. Even with 3 days you start to wonder if things are deteriorating (though of course, it isn’t). Meanwhile, here’s to more path crossing and fabulous friend time in 2011!!
Love ya right back, miss!