The Agony of The Feet

Well, I can see my crossing of the finish line, super sweet finisher's medal, and 13.1 sticker slipping away. I think my right foot is saying "I don't want to do this half marathon." Unfortunately, I am at its mercy.

It all started 2 weeks ago, during a 10 mile run. Around mile 5, my right foot started hurting. I was able to finish the run, but it was hurting pretty darn bad when it was all said and done. It hurt to walk on it for a good 2 days after the run. Then the pain went away. I've had various aches and pains before, and they've all went away, so I just figured par for the course with this kind of mileage.

Then, last week we were supposed to run 11 miles. About a mile in my foot was killing me. I knew it was going to be a no-go, so I turned around and started hobbling back to my car (when it starts acting up, it hurts just about as much to walk as it does run). I promptly made an appointment with a primary care doctor. He took an x-ray, said it didn't look broken (and I really didn't think it was broken), told me it was a stress/overuse injury, and that he didn't think I'd be able to run the race. However, he also told me to feel free to get a podiatrist's opinion. Several people were singing the praises of this local running podiatrist, and I made an appointment for that Tuesday (this past Tuesday).

I met with the podiatrist, who told me he thinks I have a "cuboid sprain" from my 4th and 5th metatarsals hitting my cuboid bone when I run. He took out his sheet of foam, cut me out some pads, put them in my shoes, and I could instantly tell a difference. He told me to ice my foot every night for a half hour, and I could start trying to run again over the weekend. He felt optimistic I'd be able to do the race, so I felt optimistic as well.

Well, folks, the weekend is here. Yesterday I woke up to foot pain, so I didn't even try it. I iced my foot instead. This morning, my foot felt good to go, so I hit the pavement . . .and experienced basically the same thing as last weekend's attempted 11 miler. About a mile in, my foot started hurting, badly. So, that's why instead of running, I am sitting here with a bag of ice on my foot, watching my dream of running a half marathon slip away.

People keep telling me, yes there will be other races, and I suppose that's true. To be honest, though, I have no desire to train for another half marathon. I enjoy running, but I like it best within the 3-6 mile range. Beside the lack of desire, even though I knew running a half marathon wouldn't be easy, I think I underestimated the time commitment. I feel like running is was a full-time job right now. I was ready for this race to be over with, and have my life back. It was starting to feel tedious, and not fun anymore. Still, I never, ever wanted it to end like this. When I started on this journey nearly 4 months ago, I never expected not to be able to finish. To be sidelined with an injury, especially this close to the big show, is heartbreaking. I get physically ill when I think of everyone else running their race, getting their medal and sticker, feeling that sense of accomplishment. I would give just about anything to be out there with them.