I've been dealing with some pain/discomfort in my left foot for the past couple of weeks. It seems to be coming from the 4th or 5th metatarsal area and I haven't been able to shake it. I tried resting it for a couple of days and it persisted, so now I'm trying to stay off of it for 1-2 weeks and see if that helps (currently on day #5 of no running).
The culprit? Sure, you can point to my recent barefoot/Vibram Five Finger running as the obvious one. However, I've been building up gradually in this area (about 1/4-1/2 mile per week) so I don't think it can be that alone. I think it's the combo of me being unable to run them at a slower pace coupled with recent spike in hill training that's led to this.
My feet during better days..
The biggest fear right now is the obvious one and the 2 words that all runners dread the most: stress fracture.
But I'm not going to freak out quite yet. Instead, I dusted off the ol' road bike and started riding it again to maintain some level of fitness (I even bought new shoes + clips!) and hopefully, I can come back and still run San Francisco. If not and the pain is still there, I will have to scratch that (and other races) and see a podiatrist. We'll cross that bridge when we get there.
Shame, cause I had big plans for this summer/fall. Oh well. Will have to just cross my fingers and hope for the best.
25 comments:
Billy, sorry to hear about your toe. I'll keep mine crossed for you. Rest up and get back out there, but take it easy until then.
Kev - it's actually more in the midfoot area, but thanks just the same. Definitely taking it easy for sure.
maybe it's just a stone bruise, i had that awhile back and thought it was a stress fracture...anyway, definitely take some time off to heal up properly...
ARGH!!!! That is all I have to say about that.
Hang in there dude.
That sucks. I hope it is nothing serious and no matter what it is only temporary (just "temporary" could mean different things). Yay on the road bike, have fun and be safe! :)
Dang. Not what I wanted to hear. I too have been feeling pretty beat up. I've been hitting the weights more than running. Anyways, hope you heal up quickly!
Yikes. Bummer. I hope it's just temporary. Heal up, dude.
Too bad about the injury, Billy - it seems to be unavoidable for us runners, from time to time. But as the late Dr. George Sheehan used to say, don't feel too bad because they (running injuries) are 'diseases of excellence'. Many (most?) suspected stress fractures turn out to be something much more benign, so we'll hope for the best for you. Have fun on the bike.
Sorry to hear about the news. But, you have a great spirit and biking will help you maintain fitness as well as build your leg muscles.
I'll cross all my fingers and toes that it's just a bruise and you'll heal up quickly.
Oh. I so hope after a week or two of rest, you'll be fine.
Races will always be there. Make sure you're in shape to attack them!
bummer b. i've had aches/pains on the top of my foot near my toes before and it was never a stress fracture - hope the same goes for you. maybe just some inflamed tendons or something? def hope the rest helps!
I hope you can bounce back soon!
Billy, I will be thinking of you and your downtime. Sorry that this has happened, but I'm sure you won't have any problem getting on that bike! :) (as I would fall off the bike and injure myself more...)
Billy, i think i probably hope its not a stress fracture more than anybody else (speaking from personal experience, and from what i put you through in dealing with mine :( ). rest up and take care of your foot and hopefully we can go for a bike ride soon ... i'll try not to get too upset if you completely smoke me out there :)
ps--the offer to borrow my Phiten necklace still stands.
fingers crossed for you that a little break from running will do the trick and you'll be back to 100% soon!
this is not good news :( hopefully a little rest will heal it up quickly!
Bummer, man... but, in the end, the rest will probably be a good thing.
Oh, one more thing... I had a similar injury a couple years ago and it helped me to stretch out the top of the foot. You can do this sitting in a chair so there is no weight on your foot. Tuck your foot underneath the chair topside down against the floor and gently roll it forward. In my case this seemed to pop my metatarsal into proper alignment. This combined with several days of rest worked well for me. Good luck.
at least you got a plan B on biking to maintain your fitness! that's a good thing man! let your foot heal up and you will be back in action in no time ;)
This is exactly what happened to my girl. Sucks dude. But let it heal. That's the fastest way back. Good luck. I hear wine heals all wounds. Give that a try!
Ouch hang tough, let me know if you're up for a ride, don't be put off by the numbers you're more than welcome to join me for a bit of a ride
I have always lived by the principle....if you ignore the injury it will go a way. jk
Hopefully it is just an over use injury and it will go away soon. Hang in there and I doubt it is from the Vibrams or barefoot running.
Hi. I just started following your blog. I'm a trail runner from Ohio and I have been running in VFFs since May. Love 'em, definitely a good workout for the calves. I just started having some swelling and aching over my right 2nd metatarsal, and like you, am hoping I didn't stress fracture it with overzealous training in the VFFs. Im taking it easy and running in shoes for the moment. Best wishes -- Lisa
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