next week June 2-8
Patrick:
I start the IM intermediate on Monday, June 2nd. It has me running Tuesday - Saturday each day. Right now I'm still suffering with an issue I believe to be related to the sesamoid bones under the ball of my big toe (left foot) - I've tried numerous things (hokas, new inserts, inserts and a metatarsal pad, etc etc etc). I've had this issue off and on since last September, but in January/February of this year it came and has not gone away (gotten worse). Every change brings a new issue in my legs or feet (my right Achilles is now acting up after about 30 minutes).
I have an appointment with a podiatrist next Friday, June 6, that EVERYONE (including one of the judges I appear before) appears to use (I've been calling every day in the hope that someone will have cancelled). I'm hoping beyond hope that he will figure it out, fit me for orthotics, and I'll go on my merry way running sub 8 minute miles in my next HIM (I know I have the capability but for the foot/feet issue).
In the meantime, what do I do about the runs...it SERIOUSLY hurts during and after, but I'm afraid to stop running for fear that I'll get behind. I don't think the bone(s) are fractured b/c I can walk, but it's like a throbbing open knife wound when I run...and afterwards, like today in regular tennis shoes, the ball of the big toe (left foot) is burning. My HIM is June 15th, I have an Olympic July 12, and my first full IM is August 24. The full IM is my A race, I did IM 70.3 Florida already so the HIM on June 15th (a B race) I can do without IF I HAVE TO, but I'd prefer to race.
Thanks, Kay
Comments
We need to find a way to balance the need to run with the physical limitations that you have. Pain is no joke, we don't want to put you in a place from which you won't be able to come back and race. I'm okay with you running every other day, and perhaps using some aqua jogging in the pool as an alternative. Is that an option for you?
Sounds like you are putting a lot of extra weight on the first metatarsal. Almost as if you have pretty high arches -- I do and have suffered similarly. Hopefully a good orthotic will help alleviate the stress on that particular bone and allow you to displace it better across your entire foot.
Let me know if an alternating run program will work for you, as well as about the pool running.
I decided I'm skipping the HIM race set for June 15th, and will not run again until the podiatrist sees me and says "x"....hopefully it's an easy fix (injections, orthotics, rest, and/or a combination of those). I had reached out to Rich as well when I didn't hear back from you and he echos your comments (your answer shows 4am but it didn't show up for me to see it until late morning so I emailed him in case you were out of commission somewhere).
I will research pool running in the meantime. I have a venue that I can use on Tuesday and Thursday for that purpose without getting in the way of the masters group.
Thanks again, Kay