Monday, June 15, 2009

Waving the white flag...

I give up. Once again I am unable to run. I still have the chronic issues with my right foot (partially ruptured plantar fascia and posterior tibial tendonosis) but thankfully those haven't changed much and aren't any bigger problem than usual. A few weeks ago I was running and started to feel pain in my left heel. Same pain as the plantar fasciitis in my right, but further back of my heel. It was mild at first. I immediately started the celebrex and wearing my night brace on my left. Despite that it continued to get worse (at a much faster rate than my right ever did!)

Finally, after a 10 mile run last Sunday, it was sore enough that I was actually limping a bit. I thought about the chronic problems on my right and how I had just told someone a few months ago that if I had known I was going to cause permanent damage to my foot by continuing to run on my injuries, I would have stopped. Here I was again, running with a new injury. So I stopped.

I went back to my podiatrist last week, hoping to get a cortisone shot. Unfortunately, this time my problem is achilles tedonitis, and you can't really inject that or you risk a rupture of the tendon. He gave me some heel lifts for my shoes and told me to rest it for a while.

What is with my feet that I have so many issues running?! I was just reading an article in Runner's World about this man in his 60's who runs 2 marathons a week! He runs 1 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday!! For a year! Over a hundred marathons last year. Sheesh. I run 1 marathon and my feet still haven't forgiven me!

Anyway, I haven't run for a week, and I have definitely improved. I am hoping to get back on the road in a week or so. (working out at the gym is so BORING!) I was supposed to run a half marathon in Los Gatos on July 19th, but not sure if I can get my mileage back up in time for that. I don't want to run it unless I am really prepared, so we will see how it goes.

6 comments:

Suzanne said...

I am keeping my fingers crossed for the Jungle Run but more importantly, I want you to be injury free!

Laura said...

I think you need to rest it more, drink more coffee, and read some magazines. It is much easier than running!!!!

Katie said...

Oh no! It's so frustrating to be constantly fighting with injuries. After college, I didn't compete for years. I was convinced that I was hobbled permanently, but things have gotten better. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

If you did a 10 miler, then you can definitely run the half (as long as you're pain free). Maybe you should just run it for fun.

Unknown said...

Oy, I feel your pain. My knees just won't tolerate running anymore. It's possible I tried to do too much too quickly, but I had a host o' issues when I tried to start up again a month or so ago.

It's hard to accept and certainly I wasn't as dedicated a runner as you are, but I share your frustrations. How the hell can an old man (or anyone who's over 35) run so consistently without injuries?

I don't get it. I hope things heal and you're able to find a pace that allows you to continue running comfortably.

Running and living said...

Hi, injuries take the fun out of running! Sorry to hear about yours. I think it is important to figure out what caused the injuries in the first place, as opposed to just rest, because you want to prevent reinjury once you get back into running. Achilles tend. is usually caused by tight calves, so working on streching those, getting more flexible shoes, and avoiding hills would be helpful. I think it may be worth it to do some research on your injuries. I have a couple of friends who were told by a sports doc that they would never run again, yet both are running because they've learned about their bodies' vulnerabilities and how to work with them. Good luck! Ana-Maria

Anonymous said...

Oh Mijita! I'm sorry. I pulled a muscle in my leg and I was out for a week and I was miserable! Definitely keep resting, you don't want to push it and hopefully you'll be able to run that half-marathon!