The day before my new me work week started we were out hiking and I felt a twinge of pain in my heel. Oh yes....I did!
Yes, the plantar fasciitis was back! I have had some issues with this in the past. I talked about being diagnosed in this post way back in 2013. And the issue has reappeared every once in a while in posts since then.
That first bout was the worst. But since then, I have learned that if I catch it early and take some steps in the first few days of slight pain and then I’m good and it doesn’t last long. The main thing is that I IMMEDIATELY wrap my foot in KT tape. (Amazon Associate Link). Secondly and to a lessor extent, I try to ease up a little on high impact things...but I have in the past continued to run and had no problem!
As soon as I felt the twinge of pain a week ago I knew what it was. I hadn’t forgotten. But I was set to start running. I was determined! So I ignored the pain!
I didn’t wrap my foot. And I went out for some torturous first runs...which is harder on my body than ‘continuing’ to run!
By Friday it was bad enough that I could barely put weight on my heel and I caved and taped my foot.
I also went running that day....and it hurt! You see I wasn’t going to give in! I had made a vow!
It wasn’t until I was on my bike (and struggling) on Sunday that I had an epiphany! There are a few facets. So here they go and you will see how they evolve and grow.
I need to focus on riding if I want to improve on the mountain bike trails.......What a waste that I have that nice indoor bike that I haven’t used in a few months......My foot doesn’t hurt while I’m riding.....My foot sure hurts while I am running.....
Why am I pushing to run at the moment if it’s causing an injury/ailment?.....I could stay inside and ride the exercise bike on my lunch breaks. That would give me a good 20 minute workout....A bike ride would keep my off my foot....I would be working to improve my HEALTH and not tear myself apart!
And with that, I decided to put my quest to run on hold once again. I am sure I will restart at some point in the next month or two. But for the moment, I am going to focus on riding that exercise bike on my lunch breaks! This journey is not about getting to the end result at all costs. It is about getting to the end result in the healthiest and strongest manner possible! Stepping back from running is a healthy choice for me at the moment!
I have intense plantar fasciitis in my left foot. Nothing I try has eliminated it. I limp almost every day. I was just thinking last night that maybe my days of distance running are long over, even if I do get back into shape and lose weight. If you find any remedy that really works, let me know!
ReplyDeleteYuck! It’s miserable isn’t it? I am hoping the weight...some new shoes (I know I have to replace shoes long before most people) will do the trick for me! Because I honestly do enjoy running (not when I’m just starting, but when it’s not ALL misery!)
DeleteOh no, plantar fasciitis is the pits. One year I had it so bad that I could not plant my heel down without wincing. It went on for a year. I have never experienced anything like that. Shin splints aren’t that bad. I turned to bike riding too. I knew I had to have cardio but without any impact on that foot. I hope you heal so you can return to running. I found it was the one exercise I can say changed my body. I carry my weight in the lower region. I am trying to focus less on the scale and more on health.
ReplyDeletePaula C
Biking is much easier on the foot..and knees!
DeleteLike you, I am trying to focus on that health...not just the number on the scales and not just the speed in which I get there...simply healthy living!
Ugh I have gotten PF twice, both when I greatly increased mileage suddenly. Have you tried the Strassberg sock? It works. Also rolling your foot on a ball, you want to break up the scar tissue. And a stretch where you hang your foot off a step. Good luck. If you can swim, that is good exercise too.
ReplyDeleteI will be looking up the Strasberg sock as soon as I finish replying to you!!! I do roll my foot!
DeletePF is the worst but you have to take care of those feet! Definitely switch things up and use that bike more right now. I've also found that if a freeze a water bottle and then roll my heel on it, it helps with the pain too. I suffered with PF off and on and the worst time it lasted more than a year. THANKFULLY I've found a good routine with the shoes that I buy and I pay special attention in that as soon as I feel a twinge, I'm adjusting my habits. I do not ever want to go through what I went though with it in 2015 again!
ReplyDeleteI think that is the trick...pay attention as soon as you feel that first twinge! The KT tape helps with the first twinges. I’m limping along right now since I let it get past the first twinge (due to my own stupidity) and wi the the poison and tat infection on my leg (the infection is cleared up...it’s just dry and itchy there and the other spots of poison are still itchy...even after the prednisone). So putting kt tape on my legs just makes me itch even more!
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