I think I might be coming to terms with what my doctor told me a couple weeks ago. Long distance running could very well be out for me. Pain will be the guide.
I have tried very hard the last seven years NOT to complain about my foot. I have always prayed that it would not get worse. I severely dislocated my toe 7 years ago when I was in a car accident and pregnant with Aivan.
My toe never went back to it's original position after the accident. I have never been able to walk normal on this foot ever since and running has proved difficult at times. Yes, I hide it well.
It has been getting worse and as I started training for the Pikes Peak Ascent and running Hill repeats my foot started to really bother me. I keep thinking it's a stress fracture so after a month I went to the doctor. He ordered an MRI. My mouth dropped to the ground when he told me I have arthritis in my big toe joint. The news of a stress fracture would have been 10 times better. That can be fixed....my toe will never be the same and will only get worse throught out the years. Once he explained what was going on it ALL made sense. I have never had arthritis, so I didn't realize that's what I have been feeling. All the hard training I have been doing caused it to flare up.
Part of the problem is I over compensate because my big toe joint is stiff, swollen, and hurts so then I walk on the out side of my foot at times and then that causes problems on the outer part of my foot.
I will get orthodics, I have anti-inflammatory patches, and started using some natural remedies. He said running long miles will probably be out for me, but pain will be the guide. I look like an old lady when I get out of bed in the morning, because it's hard to walk on my foot.
Tears....okay I think I feel better now that I got this off my chest. I know things could always be worse, but I would have to say this has been hard for me. I will make it up the Mountain one way or another. Good thing I don't have to run all the way to the top!
3 comments:
That completely blows!!! I'm so sorry about your toe and not being able to do long distances anymore. I think I would cry, too. I hope now that you know what is causing the pain that you will know how to manage it. Good luck!!!
Ouch... no picture?
Trinette! I am so sorry. I know running is your passion and that this probably feels like life has been turned upside-down a little. Have you talked to a sports doctor? I know the orthopedic doc knows his stuff, but I am sure there are some ways to confront this, even if there is no way to cure it. I will pass on the book I am reading when I am finished. It sounds like a fascinating theory and the title is Run Less, Run Faster, so maybe the Run less will be possible!
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