About three years ago I set off on an effort to fix some running injuries. That’s how this journey of learning about injuries and the body began. A year ago the effort became more focused: Get out of the orthotics and learn the Pose Method of running.
The orthotic weaning and Pose learning were successful. Actually, I’d describe them as highly successful. I also received ASTYM for the Plantar Fasciitis and that, too, was successful. Over the summer I was ramping up the mileage and things were grand. A backpacking trip in August, however, seems to have undone all that progress. I haven’t run in 3 months. And even worse – I and the medical professionals can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong. (Actually, the podiatrist is quite sure it’s a bone bruise. I’m not buying it. I know that’s kind of cocky – but there seems to be too much going on and it moves around to make it bone bruise. And it definitely does not feel like my regular Plantar Fasciitis.) The bottom line is this: My heel hurts. The only way to keep it under control is to have these ridiculously-large arch supports in my shoes. Too much time on my feet makes it worse – even with all this support. Any pounding activity makes it worse – significantly.
We’re doing a variety of stuff to make it better – PT and such. I have to move on from running – at least mentally - at least for now. It’s too frustrating to be thinking “I’m just about there.”, then to wake up one day (literally) and have it hurting all over again. I’ll continue to do those things I’m doing: exercises, resting, icing, etc. I may see if I can get an MRI or something to see if that helps explain something, but while pursuing those things I need to think of myself as a “former runner”. Now it’s time to see if I can turn myself into something else – such as a swimmer.
I guess deep in my soul I believe I’ll get back to running. For my own mental sanity I need to stop worrying about whether that point will be next month or in 5 years.
Jim
