Foot, Tears and Foot Races

The results are in. No NYC Marathon this year for me. Not the worst thing in the world but I am definitely frustrated. I had been fighting with Plantar Fasciitis since about March 2016. Took a Cortisone injection in April, relief until mid July. Since then it grew progressively worse. With each training run came pain afterwards that lasted hours to a day. Lots of ice, rolling, splinting, stretching, ART and TLC. I did everything I was supposed to do.   KT tape was my best friend.


Until 2 weeks ago, during a 17 mile run it took a turn. The whole run was painful but I can deal with pain pretty well. It was worsening and I was getting fussy. My times were good, I was 30 sec/mile ahead of goal but I knew the last few miles were going to hurt and I’d lose that which was fine. One step lead to another and then ... Rip! I feel a tear and burning in my foot. It stops me in my tracks. I didn’t like to ever stop because starting up hurt more. I take another step and it’s really sharp. And another and the F-bomb is being dropped in many combinations. It hurt and I needed to dig deep. I was pissed. I was determined to finish this run today. Only 4 more miles. I did a lot of deep breathing and focusing and started running again. OMG! It HURT. It hurt to step, it hurt to take off, it hurt for my foot to stretch and relax. It hurt to walk. It hurt to stop and start again. The f- bomb became very consoling the next 4 miles along with tears. I can do this. I kept telling myself that it’s not as bad as I think. I am always fussy at the end of long runs. Sometimes I cry for no reason. That is how I roll.  And I am so tired the pain is likely magnified. I have to keep running because I am far enough from the car that I have no choice. (actually I did but I refused to acknowledge that).Walking hurt even worse so might as well run. I get into a zone and finish the job tearful at the car.  I cry from the pain and I cry from the possibility of this canceling NYC. I get home and cannot bear weight at all. The previous week after a long run it was like that for about an hour but this time it was the rest of the day and just different. The heel was swollen. I’m pretty sure I tore something. Later we took a trip to the urgent care to rule out a stress fracture and get the ball rolling for an MRI.

I promised to stop running for 2 weeks- enough time to rest a plantar fasciitis and get the MRI done. The rest of the days I spent frustrated. I must have a permanent scowl on my face. Deep down I knew exactly what had happened and what that meant for my dream of running the NYC marathon again this year. I hoped it was just plantar fasciitis and I was a big baby with no pain tolerance. I really really really hoped for that.  In fact at times my foot felt fine. When I saw the PA for the exam for the MRI order,  I had no pain. I felt like one of “those patients.” Really, I feel pain sometimes here and yes I have sometimes ambulate on the lateral aspect of my foot. I felt like I was taking advantage of the healthcare system.

While it is not the worst thing in the world, it is hard to accept. I have been running since 2007 and it has been a struggle. I spent years in my head battling demons and getting in my own way. I ran 3 marathons this way never really progressing.  I worked hard trying to get to that breakthrough. Then a few years ago I finally worked through all of the head stuff and truly embraced running after being told I should stop running marathons because of my knee! (That story is here). I made it through Ironman with my knee intact and got into the NYC Marathon for the following year.  It was a gift.

This was my very first marathon and I was proud to return for my 4^th stand alone marathon this time with a solid head and strong body. I was working hard in training and having that exact breakthrough I desperately needed years ago. I believed in myself 100% (and still do). My times were on track. I was confident I could finish this marathon at goal time.

So here I am today MRI results in hand. I had hoped for a tendonitis and plantar fasciitis and acceptance that I was a big baby. That meant I can start running and go to NY in November. I guess I’m not a big baby. I have a partial plantar fascia tear, plantar fasciitis (duh!) and apparently some ankle arthritis (never felt that). I’m still working with my ego to actually pursue proper treatment (a boot). Im not there yet. Maybe tomorrow. I will rest it and stop running for now so it can heal. I'm looking into PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections to heal.

On a positive note- I can cancel my entry this year and be guaranteed entry to the 2017 NYC Marathon. A few more dollars and next year it is! Even better is during these 2 weeks of waiting I discovered Time Trial bike rides. LOVE LOVE LOVE them and they don’t irritate my foot.  Training plan already downloaded on Training Peaks for the Fiesta Island Time Trial in November. I’m going to swim long and fast.  By December I should be ready to run again, just in time to train for the Ironman 70.3 Oceanside. I will have a really strong swim and bike base for that and will return to running stronger than I am now.