Trails!

Go read my entries from Sept 8 till Sept 20 from last year (esp the 15, 16, and 18 entries). Foot bruise. 2 weeks. But I still got in some good Big Workouts and long runs, I just had to reduce the other days. And I seem to remember that wearing shoes while in the house might have helped.

Yet in contrast if you look at my May 26 2008 entry you see what happened to me when I ran through what I thought was just mild pain and a foot bruise. (Identical to what I feel now, but in a different location).

Your smart by taking it easy now. If it heals quickly while trying to cut-back you still have time for that sub 2:40.

I've learned over the last month (with everyone's advice) you have to stay positive and have a lot of faith. Like everyone has told me and you already now this, it's better to heal it now than run through it and have something worse happen. I'm still trying to learn this myself.

So you think it is a tendon thing again, rather than a bruise? I was just saying that if it is a bruise, it can hang around for a little while.

Can you submit a picture where your hurting at?

Sorry to hear about this Cody. My foot problem was a posterior ligament injury, running up the foot through the ankle and shin. Very subtle. PT was really helpful and I learned that calf stretches and resistance foot exercises as well as toe raises and range of motion stretches were the key to fixing it. I have been doing them consistently ever since. I can give you a copy of my exercises if you need it. In the meantime go hit the pool. Pfitzinger says it is as good as running. And you already know how, unlike me, I just kind of thrash around and look stupid. Hang in there!!

So are you no-go tomorrow?

Jon - I have lots of theories but I am not sure. I will NOT be running indefinitely until this issue is resolved. Sorry, I am really ticked about it.

Scott- I have no desires to go to any pool at this point. I will enjoy the extra time with family instead. Maybe next week. Let me know when you go.

Kory - See picture I linked in the blog entry.

Doctor? They may find something that could salvage your training and marathon.

If it's a neuroma, it's pretty treatable (just kill the stupid nerve). I hope a doctor can give some answers, in any case.

Cody, sorry to hear about your foot. I've had a problem that sounds simular to what you describe and in the exact same spot. Mine got started after doing a 20 mile run in new shoes that only had about 10 miles on them. When it is bad, I can walk without pain but walking bearfoot on a hard surface hurts. I found that older shoes with a lot of indent from the ball of my foot actually caused less pain so I took out the new shoe's insole on the bad side and built up the front half [on the bottom] with duct tape leaving about a 1 1/4 inch area around where the sore spot is untaped. This takes some of the pressure off of the bad spot. I build up about 8 to 10 layers of tape. I know it sounds a little crazy but for my problem [which I think is probably a neuroma] It makes a huge difference. When it's bad it makes the difference between not being able to run on it at all or running practicly pain free. I thought I'd share this on the outside chance that it might help. Good luck with it. Hope you can get running pain free again quickly.

Hey Cody, I have heard a rumor that you are or were a racquetball player. Maybe we need a little lateral foot movement to balance our bodies out at some point. Not to trash talk or scare you too badly or anything, but I WAS intramural champ in r-ball as an undergrad..though that was a few years ago... don't worry I haven't picked up my racquet in 10 years, but if you want to get a game in some time I am up for it so just let me know. Maybe after marathon season is over? gotta go find my racquet now..... get that foot healed, I am trying to assess what to do with mine now, as it is acting up again.

I used to play Racquetball heavy too about three years ago and was champion in the intramural league as well.

I really liked it until I started running heavily and realized the two didn't mix well. I haven't played in almost three years now.

Dave- Good tip. I did something similar when I had a crazy spider bite on the bottom of my foot last year. I may just try it.

Scott - Bring it on. I am a bit rusty not playing since I graduated college. It will come back though. I also won a few intramural tourneys and also played for the university club team too. Good times. I quit to start running.

Everyone - Injury is looking good, knock on wood.....