I visited my podiatrist yesterday to help get a handle on my latest injury. About 4 weeks ago, I started having arch pain after a 20 mile long run. I was able to manage the pain with ice and NSAIDs, and kept running. However, the pain hasn't been getting better.
I initially thought it was a case of PF developing so I started stretching my calves again (hadn't stretched in a very long time). And then, after about 2 weeks, I thought it might have been a sprain in my abductor hallucis since that's where the pain settled. Most recently, the pain has settled in the navicular region, which is the prominent bump on the inside of your foot, below the medial malleous. This is where the posterior tibial tendon inserts on the under side of your foot, so my injury has developed into a minor case of tendonitis.
It turns out, I have an accessory navicular bone, which makes my bump protrude a little more than normal. It's something that you're born with. I've been running with no problems with it for years. However, I'm guessing the combination of extra hill work, combined with lunges, combined with trying to save a little money by running in worn out shoes caused me to fall off the edge. Training/running is about finding your edge, taking your body to a point of extremes, without falling off the cliff.
This problem can lead to falling arches, and increased pain with physical activity, and possible posterior tibial tendon problems. This can be manageable, but often results in surgery if the pain doesn't improve. For now, my doctor has taped my foot to help provide more support for the arch. However, the taping appears to be aggravating my navicular bone even more. My arch doesn't hurt anymore, it's just the navicular. Anyhow, he suggested that I try to run, but even walking is painful now. He also feels that I need to be in custom orthotics. I've been wearing Superfeet Green for about 4 years, after trying a pair of custom orthotics early in my running career. I've got insurance coverage for it, so it's worth a shot. And, if we can't get the pain under control, it would eventually result in the removal of the extra bone, and about 6 months of recovery.
My Grand Canyon run is in 6 weeks. Or, it could just be a vacation to see the Grand Canyon as a tourist, and not as an ultra runner. It's just running. It's amazing to me that runners put so "much" into our sport. It's also a little disturbing to me at the same time that we put so "much" into our sport. Perhaps injuries are a good time to self assess, and perhaps take a step back. Runners often push themselves too hard, in some case (present company included), we go too far.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
I'm Still Here
It's been awhile. About 10 months. And a lot has happened since then. Last May, I ran the Three Days at the Fair event in New Jersey. 61 hours, 175 miles completed. It was a very memorable event. I felt proud of my accomplishment, and would definitely consider doing it again.
In June 2013, I ran the 12 Hour Dizzy Goat, our local trail race and completed 48.75 miles on a very hot day, but I rolled my ankle and sprained it badly about 15 miles in. I completed the race, but then it swelled very badly and forced me to stop running for a couple of weeks.
In July 2013, I hiked/ran up and down Pikes Peak via the Barr Trail. That was another lifetime experience for me, so cool.
In September, I ran double marathons as part of the Center of the Nation Series in Wyoming and Montana. That was a lot of fun too.
In October, I ran the Duke City Marathon in Albuquerque, NM, and then the GOATz 50k (another local trail race) in Omaha a week later.
In November, I ran 198 miles for a running game, and felt good, if not tired, and borderline burnt out. Ran 170 miles in December, but my paces suffered a bit, and I generally don't like extreme cold weather running.
In January 2014, I ran the Louisiana Marathon, which marked a marathon or greater distance in my 31st state.
And that brings me to the current day, when I'm in the midst of some serious training cycle for a Rim to Rim to Rim (R2R2R) Grand Canyon run in early May. I've been adding a lot of hill work to my runs to prep for the 22,000' of ascent and descent that I'll experience in the canyon. Unfortunately, about a month ago, I developed some pain in my right arch, and have been dealing with it ever since. I first thought it was a case of Plantar Fasciitis developing, but it didn't display classic symptoms. The pain moved more to my medial arch in the abductor hallucis muscle, and very recently has settled at the insertion point of the posterior tibial tendon. I haven't stopped running, and have managed to ramp up both mileage and cumulative ascent/descent each week, however, the foot isn't getting better. I have an appointment with my podiatrist to get the final diagnosis.
So, I'm still here. I'm still running. And still reaching for new goals, new challenges, and pushing to find my edge, with an occasional stumble along the way.
In June 2013, I ran the 12 Hour Dizzy Goat, our local trail race and completed 48.75 miles on a very hot day, but I rolled my ankle and sprained it badly about 15 miles in. I completed the race, but then it swelled very badly and forced me to stop running for a couple of weeks.
In July 2013, I hiked/ran up and down Pikes Peak via the Barr Trail. That was another lifetime experience for me, so cool.
In September, I ran double marathons as part of the Center of the Nation Series in Wyoming and Montana. That was a lot of fun too.
In October, I ran the Duke City Marathon in Albuquerque, NM, and then the GOATz 50k (another local trail race) in Omaha a week later.
In November, I ran 198 miles for a running game, and felt good, if not tired, and borderline burnt out. Ran 170 miles in December, but my paces suffered a bit, and I generally don't like extreme cold weather running.
In January 2014, I ran the Louisiana Marathon, which marked a marathon or greater distance in my 31st state.
And that brings me to the current day, when I'm in the midst of some serious training cycle for a Rim to Rim to Rim (R2R2R) Grand Canyon run in early May. I've been adding a lot of hill work to my runs to prep for the 22,000' of ascent and descent that I'll experience in the canyon. Unfortunately, about a month ago, I developed some pain in my right arch, and have been dealing with it ever since. I first thought it was a case of Plantar Fasciitis developing, but it didn't display classic symptoms. The pain moved more to my medial arch in the abductor hallucis muscle, and very recently has settled at the insertion point of the posterior tibial tendon. I haven't stopped running, and have managed to ramp up both mileage and cumulative ascent/descent each week, however, the foot isn't getting better. I have an appointment with my podiatrist to get the final diagnosis.
So, I'm still here. I'm still running. And still reaching for new goals, new challenges, and pushing to find my edge, with an occasional stumble along the way.
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