After our long run on Saturday, I noticed a sharp, debilitating ache in my right mid-foot. Thanks to Dr. Google, it looks like it’s something related to my peroneal tendons or 5th metatarsal. You know; the bones and tendon that connect your pinky toe.
I remember stepping off a curb in a weird way and thinking, “Man, this is going to hurt later” – but I honestly thought it was the other foot. I also did my long run in my new Newtons. Perhaps the differing weight distribution (they force you to run more on your fore/midfoot) might have been a little too much for a 12-miler before my body got used to it. I’d only done one sixer prior to the long run.
Either way, I was hardly able to walk on Saturday and it got worse on Sunday. We went to the beach and I could hardly hobble across the uneven, soft sand. I thought the idea of the half marathon in three weeks was definitely dashed. I knew a running injury was almost inevitable, but I’m already losing a toenail so I thought I’d paid my dues.
I’ve just recommitted myself to the long distances! I’m right in the middle of training, at the peak even!
Leave me to my ignorance, please. (In the back of my mind, I’m thinking: Glad I didn’t pay that $105 to sign up for that race yet!)
Monday, still sore. Standing for any length of time is painful but not as bad. Adam convinced me to take it easy just one more day so I hit the gym for elliptical and weights. I had to do something.
It killed me not to run this morning, but after Adam’s leg issues this past fall, I know that running when something is healing can make it worse and lengthen the healing process.
Tonight, I’m feeling a lot more optimistic. Now, I am no podiatrist but I’m thinking I bruised or twisted it and it just needed to heal. It’s still a little sore but I can certainly walk on it normally and it’s definitely on the mend.
I’m going to go out for 4ish miles in the morning to see how it goes. My training inclination is to muscle through and assume it’ll heal up; my rational side tells me to take it easy and let it mend naturally. My training inclination is winning.
Do you have any experience with foot pain or injuries? Did you run through them or give it a rest?
The same thing happened to me last fall, on a long run, in my Newtons. I screwed up my posterior tib tendon (inside of ankle) and it took a while to heal. (I’m definitely not suggesting you hurt yourself that badly though!) I stopped doing long runs in Newtons and now wear only obnoxiously supportive footwear (including insoles) always. It’s working for me! Good luck and I hope your foot heals soon!
Oi I don’t like the sound of that! I’m going to try going back to my New Balances for tomorrow’s long run. We’ll see – I don’t want it to get any worse, that’s for sure!