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!