I made a pilgrimage to Atheltico this morning to see what may or may not be wrong with my foot. To do so, I braved obnoxiously bad conditions to get there. It was so cold and slippery (there was a 45 degree temperature drop over night, plus precipitation, which resulted in a Winter Wonder Hell) that I started crying. I've been inside for four hours now, and am still so very cold. The rest of the week promises to be pretty bad as well.
Back to my foot. I met with one of the physical therapists, and after we chatted about what felt wrong, how long it had been that way, how much I run, etc., she decided to run a few test. The neatest of them all was the tuning fork/vibration test. Apparently, if I have a stress fracture (or any kind of bone issue), when the vibrating fork touches the area, you're supposed to feel a fair amount of pain. I wasn't trying to be brave at all, but I really didn't feel any sort of discomfort. PT lady thought this was a good sign, but she did warn me that the only conclusive way to say whether or not I have a stress fracture would be with an MRI or X-Ray. So, she gave me some exercises to do to keep the muscles from atrophying, told me to ice it every day for 10 to 20 minutes, advised me to switch out my Super Feet inserts, and also said that I might want to cross-train only for about a week or two, then trying running again. Obviously, if the pain gets worse, I should go see a specialist. She gave me the name of a doctor in the Loop who treats mostly runners and triathletes with foot and ankle problems.
So I guess its good that they think it's not a stress fracture. I kinda would like to know conclusively, but this is the best I can do for now. Mid-January I might be able to budget for an MRI. So, my plan now is to cross-train at my place for the next week or so. In January, I think I can afford to get a month membership at one of the gyms within walking distance, so I'll be able to use the bikes and/or ellipticals.
I find this all very depressing. Not being able to run is like not being in a relationship. When you're not in one (as is the case for me most of the time), you notice how EVERYONE ELSE IS. Like yesterday, I went to the grocery store and was forced to limp most of the way home. In the 15 minutes it took me to make it home, I saw no less than 6 runners pass me.
Worst. AND I hopped on the scale this morning to see what I'm working with this holiday season, and found out that I'd gained 2.5 pounds. Boo, indeed
2 comments:
Ugh. It's good that the PT doesn't think it is a stress fracture but too bad that it is a problem at all -- and yucky that you're going to have to keep off of it. I know exactly what you mean about not running and noticing that everyone else is. I couldn't run when I was pregnant, so I had that experience for 9 whopping months! I couldn't wait to run after my son was born.
I hope the cross training works out for you!
well good news that it doesnt look like a stress fracture! STILL :( bummer you can't run right now. i hope it feels better soon and you get a conclusive answer to what is wrong. hang in there!
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