Thursday, September 12, 2013

Foot News

Today I had my follow-up appointment at the podiatrist. It didn't go exactly how I wanted it to.

Let's back up a bit. Last Thursday, I got the order to have an ultrasound done, after I'd received the positive news that there was no discernible break in my foot. On Friday, the ultrasound ruled out any kind of tear. The theory was that I had a deep bruise.

I ran 15 miles Saturday (pain-free in the area that's been bothering me...after I laced my shoes a new way), but then decided to play it smart and took the rest of the week off (besides paddling on Sunday).

Last night, I went out for a run. I opted to wear my old shoes because I've been wearing my news ones exclusively since I got them. The moment I put my shoe on, I knew the issue wasn't gone. The burning pain at the top of my foot was still there. I relaced my shoes in the new way that's been helping and was able to run a nice four miles in the almost-fall-but-not-quite evening.

79 degrees and 40% humidity isn't that bad, really. And my legs were happy to be outside on real pavement!
I felt super cool with my flashing button light.
This morning, I had my followup. I told Dr. Chi that I felt the pain still there when I put my shoes on, but had to kind of "dig around" with my finger to find the trouble spot. He examined me and announced that the bulge we felt last week was definitely still there, but smaller.

New orders: run less (damn it), do more low-impact crosstraining, take my NSAIDs daily for a month, see him again. If it's still there, it's probably a Ganglion Cyst that can be drained, but I'll need an MRI to confirm that. Joy.

(I pretty much told him that unless he told me to stop running completely, I'd still be sneaking some in, and he told me to try my best to cut back...so I feel like that's a green light, yes?)

Did I mention that even with insurance, this whole foot problem thingy is costing me an arm and a leg?

Anyway, here's hoping that I can scale back training but still be marathon-ready by November...and that I won't need an MRI and this issue will resolve itself with the help of anti-inflammatories.

Here's a little something to brighten your Thursday:
I think Archie wants my medals. (Click for video.)
How's your running going this week?
How do you deal with vague medical news?
Have you ever had a Ganglion Cyst? (I've heard they're pretty common.)

ABK

23 comments:

  1. uugh...I really need to start getting my running back on track....I don't have a good excuse as to why I haven't been keeping up

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    1. Sometimes motivation lags because you need a little rest. You'll get back on it when you and your body really miss it!

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  2. Scaling back sounds so much better than "stop." My running coach just had me take 3 days off running in a row (Sun-Tues) because of achilles pain, but then my run on Wed (yesterday) went really great. This morning I have some soreness again so I may take 2 days off in a row so I can do my long run on Sat (or I'll cut my scheduled 4-miler down to 2). Scaling back definitely has a better sound to it then "stop." It's frustrating, but I think as long as you get the long-run in and a couple of short maintenance runs you'll be fine and hopefully you won't aggravate your foot more. Then again I am definitely not a doctor or a running coach - I'm just a girl with a blog so don't follow my advice! :)

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    1. PS: Did you see JK Rowling and WB confirmed that they are making Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them into a movie?!

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    2. I think I'll stop doing mini-long runs mid-week, and will try to keep the long runs coming. I have 7 weeks until the marathon, I think, so I should be find if I maintain my long runs at 13 miles and save my LONG runs (20 miles! EEK!) until I'm "healed".

      OMG I MUST SEE THIS MOVIE IMMEDIATELY!!!!! I own FB&WtFT and it's so cute!!

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    3. The press release I read said that it was the first in a series, so I think maybe they'll make a movie adaption for Quidditch Through the Ages too!

      I love love love FB&WtFT. Like the big HP nerd that I am, when the book first came out I went through and researched which beasts were based on other mythological creatures and which ones were completely made up for the HP universe :)

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  3. I had some foot issues last year but eventually they were resolved so hang in there! Running is going great for me this week. I hope it lasts for my 5 mile race on Saturday!! I tried watching your video but it wasn't working for me?? It's probably MY issue but thought I would tell you!!

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    1. Ooh, a 5 mile race sounds fun!! Have a blast!!

      The video is through instagram, so maybe you need to be signed in to see it??

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  4. I have a ganglion cyst in my left hand, I have had it since I was a teenager. Sometimes when I'm doing a lot of handwriting it gets worse (swollen and painful) but otherwise it's just there and I have to press to be able to feel it. So... if what you're doing helps, keep at it. If it hurts, scale back or do more cross-training. The good news is that it just is what it is, having one is unlikely to cause you other problems down the line.

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    1. Oh, and I am left-handed, so it was an issue then as I was doing a lot of hand-writing.

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    2. Thanks for info one your experience with it! I know they're harmless but can get worse if they're overworked. The new way to tie my shoes seems really helpful, so I'm going to follow doctor's orders but keep running enough to keep my training up!

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  5. I love how he flies at the camera at the end! I hope your foot gets better!

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    1. Ha, he hates being filmed! The minute he knows I've got a camera on him, he comes at me!

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  6. Archie scared me at the end! haha :)
    I'm so thinking of you and wishing you a quick recovery!!
    Stay positive girl because YOU ARE running this marathon!!!!!

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    1. haha yeah he ends most of his videos that way!

      I appreciate the positive thoughts! I can feel them working!

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  7. Whoa. You had me scared that it was going to be a LOT worse. At least a little running isn't NO running! Take it easy!!

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    1. I guess right now the hard part is being in limbo/not really knowing what the issue is. But you're right, cutting back is way better than no running at all!

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  8. Oh my goodness! He is SO cute! I loved the surprise ending. :-D

    Knowing me, I would keep running through the pain because I would go crazy without running. I'm glad you got a good 4 miles in! That's a great thing!

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    1. I definitely kept running but apparently that hasn't gotten me the "all clear", so I'm going to TRY to follow doctor's orders lol!

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  9. My friend just got the same news about her foot- must be going around ;) that bird pic is hilarious!

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    1. It definitely seems to be that time of year/part of the training cycle. I hope your friend feels better soon!

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  10. I run with the same type of flashing light in the winter when it gets dark earlier. I really do better with explicit info. Vague medical info. just doesn't cut it, or help me...lol. I've never heard of that type of cyst. I sure hope everything clears up for you. :)

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    1. I wish I could get a more specific answer sooner, but I just outright refuse to pay for an MRI if I don't need to. Ganglion cysts are really common and aren't harmful, but can be painful!

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