Tissue Issue

 

So, I kind of left you in suspense last week after my Physical Training appointment for my right foot.

It’s not the worst news ever. But it’s definitely not the news you want to hear while you’re still riding out your runners high from the previous Sunday’s marathon either.

So I was told that I have ‘over usage of a tissue’ in my right foot. Basically the tissue that connects from my shins to a small bone in my foot is stressed and probably isn’t fixable with just rest alone.

So to start, the PT gave me three exercises to do several times daily to strengthen the tissue.

They are easy and some can even be done at work by taking a minute break.

So the first two are basically just calf stretches.

You do a big calf stretch, then bring it in for a smaller one.

I’m to hold each stretch for 30 seconds and repeat this exercise 3-4 times daily.

The third is called an ankle inversion.

You take your elastic strap and pull your foot away. It helps to build strength in the muscles and tissue in the foot.

Now that I see the picture comparison, I probably need my strap up higher for more resistance.

Anyways, the PT said to do these exercises for 3 weeks and see if the pain subsides or goes away. If not I actually need to start a Physical Therapy program.

The conclusion is that it was an injury from running. She said she commonly sees this injury in the higher mileage runs (18+ miles). But was simply amazed that I ran the marathon without much issue.

But if you remember back to my 20 miler run, it was not such a glorious run. My foot hurt so bad I could barely put any pressure on it.

So being that I can run sometimes without pain is a good thing.

But being that it also hurts sometimes when I run is also a bad thing. She told me I was not allowed to run any high mileage runs until we fix my foot.

I was told I was allowed to run 2-3 mile runs as long as my foot was not in pain after. If there was any pain at all I am forbidden to run at all.

Super sad panda. 😦

So, a week later I have still have not run yet for fear that it will hurt. It hurts sometimes just walking around my house. So i’m trying to listen to the doc and do my exercise thang and mend my tissue issue.

I am not completely devastated at the moment considering I should be taking it a bit easy after the marathon anyways. This is actually forcing me to check out other fitness options.

Since the marathon I have…

• Hit up 2 hard yoga classes
• Rocked a kickboxing class
• Let J. Alabama work my biceps over at the gym doing hardcore weight lifting

So not to shabby for being unable to run.

I’m excited to take on some new fitness challenges in the next few weeks and possibly build up some muscle strength from weight lifting, and even add spinning back into my routine, along with my yoga.

I’m going to take it one day at a time and really nurse this foot back to health.

I’m ready to run. I’m ready to take on new challenges in that realm, but I also know I have a whole lot of time to do that.

So, I will sit with my accomplishment of completing my marathon and rock the calf stretches in the meantime.

What are your suggestions for dealing with an injury (mentally & physically)?