I wish I hadn’t... pushed through that niggle which arrived in my left foot as I increased my mileage over the past couple of weeks.
I wish I hadn’t... followed through with that speed work when my foot was sore and I wasn’t sure whether I should be resting it or running on it.
I wish I hadn’t... followed up that speed work out by throwing on a pair of heels because I liked the way they looked with my jeans.
I wish I hadn’t... after a few days rest, put on my minimalist shoes and went for a "how's my foot feeling" test run.
Because a few days later my physical therapist friend examined my foot and told me my plantar fascia was tight.
Plantar fasciitis. According to Wikipedia, "(PF) is a painful inflammatory process of the plantar fascia, the connective tissue on the sole (bottom surface) of the foot. It is often caused by overuse of the plantar fascia or arch tendon of the foot. It is a very common condition and can be difficult to treat if not looked after properly."
This is a runner’s worst nightmare. The plantar fascia is very slow to heal and plantar fasciitis can take a runner months and sometimes even years to recover from.
So now I wait. I cross train. I ice and stretch.
I pray and I trust and I do not worry about tomorrow.
Because several hundred dollars are invested in a trip to Boston to run the Marathon in April.
And training was supposed to start in two and a half weeks.
And I had big dreams of training hard and racing fast.
But perhaps the Lord has other plans for me.
May I remain patient as I wait upon Him and rehab my foot.
And may He be glorified in my running and in my resting.
Of course now that I'm on my computer, I can't remember what I commented earlier! But, just know that you've got an injury buddy not far away, praying for you. Even if we have to hobble on the streets of Boston, we will get there :)
ReplyDeleteI have an entire list of things I wish I hadn't done that resulted in my knee injury... but at least now we have learned and know when our bodies are telling us to stop, or at least ease up - which is hard for us!
Thankful for you and your encouragement. I pray that God continues to keep both of us patient and trusting in this time!
Thank you Devon! I thoroughly agree with you on all accounts! Sorry your original comment didn't make it here. It's funny timing that we both ended up side lined at the same time. Hopefully we're getting our injuries out of the way now and can have an injury free training cycle for Boston. :)
DeleteRemain strong. This is an injury that will heal. Think of Boston as your reward for all the hard work you have already put in to earn that privilege :).
ReplyDeleteI am thinking positive thoughts and sending them your way.
Thanks Kelly! You have been such a blessing through this. Thank you for your concern, encouragement, suggestions, KT tape..etc. I can't wait until I'm back at it again trying to keep up with you! :)
DeleteOh, I know this feeling...the "I wishes" can go on and on sometimes- also called regrets.
ReplyDeleteLife is a learning process and very painful at times. Hoping that this will draw you closer to Him, yet that you can heal and still prepare for Boston as you had hoped. And if not, I know the Lord has something even better waiting for you. It is hard to trust though, and I have spent many hours spinning circles on a stationary bike crying out to Him and hoping that my fitness would stay there. One thing is for sure- he will hear you on the other end.
hugs to you,
R
Thank you Raina. This injury is such a good reminder that we don't know what tomorrow will bring. Yes, I make plans in my heart but the Lord determines my steps. It's so fascinating to me that He knows when I will be healed and ready to be back at it and yet it would be so easy for me to stress over the fact that I don't know the answer to that. Not knowing indeed draws me closer to Him and gives me the opportunity to trust him in what He is doing.
DeleteFeeling for you. We've all been here with this "I wish I hadn't....". So easy to see when we look back and it is too late to go back. :( But you sound like you have the right attitude and I'm saying a prayer for you girl. Stay positive and focused on healing. Do your stretching and massaging and cross training and good things will come. KT tape was my BFF too. My feet are finally feeling normal again....well, pretty normal. Yours will too...if you got it early enough (which sounds like you have), it will heal faster than you might think...i think.
ReplyDeleteThank you Amanda. You are so right about it being easy to look back and identify what went wrong. It's disappointing but hopefully a learning process. I'm so glad your feet have healed. I used KT tape over the weekend and my feet were feeling decent but when I took it off the next day my feet were pretty lousy. It made me paranoid that the tape had something to do with being more sore. I don't know what to make of it...
DeleteI have literally felt your pain! But I know that God is good, he is The Great Physician. I know you will get better in time to rock Boston. Prayers and hugs heading your way!
ReplyDeleteThanks Niki. I do feel comfort knowing I am in the loving capable hands of the Great Physician. Thank you for your encouragement and suggestions yesterday! xoxo
DeleteOh, I am feeling for you right now in reading this! I am also planning to run Boston in the spring (also for the first time) and I am battling injury. Although mine isn't keeping me entirely from running, I am just waiting for the "other shoe to drop", so to speak, where I will no longer be able to run. You have plenty of time to train for Boston -- just take care of yourself and hopefully you'll get rid of the dreaded PF quickly!
ReplyDelete