Heal, Heel!!

Wouldn't it figure my 4-pack of seasonal GU (mint chocolate, Mmmm) would arrive just in time for me to stop training. Yes, yes, I'm whining again. It is part of my daily frustration release. The March print version of RW recommended it. Really. Usually I just cry, but today I decided to put my thoughts on paper and eat cake. Really GOOD cake. Cake made with Bailey's Irish Cream. I spent several hours at the gym today and I deserve it, damn it.

I've also become a cross-training maniac. According to my beloved RW training log, I've spent 3 hrs 38 minutes on the stationary bike this week - a combo of the upright and recumbent bikes. I like the recumbent because it really works my glutes. So much so that I can't stay on it for long periods of time until my rear gets in better shape! I wonder if I'll come out of this convalescence a better hill runner! Oh yeah!

I will also be much stronger by the time this recovery period is over. I did core work and weight training four times each this week - 3 times upper body, 2 times legs (what I can do that doesn't involve my aching heel).

Speaking, er, writing of my heel. I'm not so convinced it is an achilles injury any more. The pain was initially right at the spot where my achilles attaches to the heel bone, but that pain is completely gone. In fact, it was gone within a few days and I have complete range of motion in my ankle. The swelling and tenderness has migrated. Can it do that? Silly question. Of course it can. It DID! Anyway, the tenderness is now on the bottom of my foot at the very back part of my heel. I don't feel anything with comfy shoes on, but when I'm at home and shoeless, I definitely feel achy. I still pop ibu pills and ice everyday. Here's hoping my GI tract, liver and kidneys can handle that much drug. ha!

What could it possibly be if it isn't achilles? Who knows. A doctor might know, but a doctor would take all the money that I need for things like mortgage, groceries, heat, water, running shoes and Bailey's cake. And what would a doctor do? Give my injury a name and tell me to do what I'm doing right now - resting. I know there is the potential to be more to it than that, but that's the most likely scenario. So, at least one more week of no running at all is in order, then I'll reevaluate my pesky little foot. Wish me luck!

Red the Reluctant Convalescent

It's been 4 whole days with no running at all. It has seemed like an eternity. And the convalescence is far from over. The first 48 hours saw the greatest amount of obvious recovery. I finally got to the point where I could walk almost normally and relatively pain-free. Now the recovery seems to have plateaued. My heel is still tender and swollen and there is a palpable knot where I first felt the pain. I'm sure the fact that I work on my feet all day does nothing to help speed recovery. *sigh* Each night when I get home I ice the heel and have been taking ibuprofen regularly.

My first day at the gym after the injury I spent 45 minutes on the stationary bike. I was quite proud of myself! That's the longest I've ever been on one of those machines! And if you think treadmills are boring... Today I again got on the bike and tried one of the pre-programmed workouts. That made all the difference. It was far more fun! I stayed on for 50 minutes this time and got a great workout. Perhaps this recovery time will make a bicyclist out of me! In fact, I started wondering if bicyclists ever get overuse injuries like we(runners) do and if so, what are they? They obviously do not get the same kind of pounding on the joints like we do, so I'm betting they get injured far less frequently, but I could be wrong! It's happened before. Really. Once or twice.

I've kept up my strength training. I'll probably do it more often now. Might as well. I actually enjoy lifting weights and have had to hold back while training for races so I don't burn out on fitness in general. Don't want to spend all my free time at the gym. Okay, maybe I would like to spend all my free time at the gym, but I shouldn't. Gotta make some semblance of an attempt at being a well-rounded person! haha!

Red's Injury Report - Vol II

I had to work today - 12 hours on my feet. My heel felt swollen all day and although it does not hurt to walk, the tightness at the achilles makes it hard to walk normally. I'm guessing it is an achilles injury - the pain yesterday was right where the tendon attaches to the heel. I raided the medicine cabinet at work this morning for an antiinflammatory knowing that it'd be a long day (and I forgot to bring meds from home). There was no ibuprofen and the aspirin bottle expired in 2003. Fortunately there was some naproxen. I prefer ibuprofen for swelling, but beggars can't be choosers, eh?

Now that I'm FINALLY home, I'm icing it again. I think running may be out for a few weeks. Hello, pool and stationary bike, here I come! Now that a day has passed, I'm somewhat calmer and thinking more reasonably. Taking 3-4 weeks off will not ruin me. I will probably still be able to run my races, though I may not be as competitive. I wish I could afford to do the right thing - see a doctor and get some PT, but that is not in the budget. It sucks.

This poor achilles is really taking a beating too. Last summer it was bothering me about an 1 - 1 1/2 inches above the spot where I injured it yesterday. That old injury was never very bad. I didn't have to stop running. I just cut back on mileage, took it easy on hills, didn't do speedwork and started stretching and strength training more regularly. Now that the old achilles injury is almost healed, another point along the tendon decides to go on strike! Grrrrrr...

To end on a happy, totally non-running related note: I got to help save a kitty's life today! Yay!! He couldn't pee. Poor fella was miserable. Now he has a tube coming out of both ends - his front leg and his rear end. Plus he's sporting a high-fashion Elizabethan collar. He looks like a satellite dish. hehe! But at least he's alive and not in pain anymore.

Injured Red

I was supposed to run an easy 7 miles today. I drove straight from the baby shower (ugh!) to the gym to get my easy run and strength training in before going home to watch the big game. I was kicking myself a little for not packing outdoor running clothes because it was over 40F and sunny by the time the shower was over. I wanted to run outside so badly, but all I had was a tank and running shorts. Ten degrees warmer and I might have run outside anyway!

Well, 7 miles didn't happen today. Around mile 3 I started feeling a little tweek at the back of my right heel. By mile 4 it had developed into true pain and I was forced to stop. Now I'm very worried about it. I went ahead and did my core and upper body training and limped to my car for the drive home. Now I'm icing it and I already popped a few ibuprofen. I don't even want to think about it too much because it is already starting to depress me. Yet, here I am blogging about it. Okay, maybe I'm fishing for sympathy just a little.

I have no idea how serious it is and yet I keep thinking of the worst. What if I have to stop training? What if I can't run any of the three races I've already registered for in the next four months? What if I can't run my first marathon that I've already put so much physical and emotional investment into? I will be crushed. During almost every training run I start picturing myself finishing the marathon and imaging how it will feel accomplishing something so amazing. You might as well stick a knife in my chest than take that away from me. It's all I look forward to. It keeps me going through long, stressful weeks at work... I'm having trouble seeing the screen right now, so I better change subjects.

On the plus side, today I learned how to make a most delicious smoothie. One cup milk (2%), half cup vanilla yogurt, frozen bananas and one packet of the protein recovery stuff that I got as a free sample from Lifetime. Hmmm, their marketing strategy may have worked on me. And I love it when good-for-me stuff tastes like dessert!