So let’s see…

Last post I was having a freak out about the possible outcomes of this toe situation. Thanks for your comments. I always appreciate knowing people understand the struggles of an injured runner 🙂 I saw this posted somewhere and thought it was appropriate and a beautiful notion as well…

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It’s officially Spring as the April Showers and tree blossoms have emergedIMG_8980

I patiently waited until Friday morning to call to see if my MRI results were in. Duncan was a good distraction for the 48 hours I waited.

Sleeping with his Squirrel

Sleeping with his squirrel and clearly not worried about my MRI results

When I called, the receptionist found my folder and said “yes, it says neuroma 2nd interspace….ok let’s make an appointment for you to come in and discuss treatment options”. So I made the appointment for tomorrow morning. So from what the receptionist said the MRI showed a neuroma. Of course I’ve done a ton of research online (clearly everything online is accurate no?) and kept ruling out neuroma for a few reasons: 1. I’ve read it’s not very common in the 2nd toe and usually found between 3rd and 4th toes. 2. Lumps are usually not present with neuromas and I have a lump. 3. I never felt pain in the ball of my foot by the metatarsals which is where neuromas tend to cause pain. It was always much further up the toe. 4. MRIs are not known to be good at showing them. Hmm. Hopefully there will be more details when I meet with the doctor tomorrow.

Simultaneous to getting the results I started to feel a lot less pain under the toe while trying to walk the last few days which I’m assuming is just because I’ve been so good at resting my foot that nature has been taking it’s course allowing things to settle and the acute pain has subsided. I still limp but it’s more out of fear I think, for rolling off the bad foot. This has been a huge mood booster though. I even vacuumed my house.

Also, yesterday I found a post on this running forum where a guy said he put cotton balls between his toes and it helped relieve the pain. So I tried it and AMAZINGLY it helped so much! I guess it reduces any compression of the nerve by the other toes.

GENIUS!

GENIUS!

I’m hoping the doctor will be able to convince me that the MRI results are accurate. And I’m hoping that a cortisone shot might just be all that I need to calm this nerve down completely. I’ve got 3 weeks until the NJ Half and also my friend Barbara is getting married the night before the race so I’ll hopefully be able to wear heals as well.

So far my weekend has been awesome! Yesterday Mr. SOTSS  ran 9 miles and I biked 10. Teamwork!

He said he ran faster knowing i was ahead of him and I enjoyed biking a little more knowing he was behind me

He said he ran faster knowing i was ahead of him and I enjoyed biking a little more knowing he was behind me

Happy non-runner!

Happy non-runner!

After that we were able to walk the dogs around the neighborhood for 2 full miles! I haven’t been able to walk this far since the toe injury. I was so happy. And so were the pups.

Perfect Spring day

Perfect Spring day

And then we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for burritos.

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Followed by a little latte and lounging life at Starbucks

IMG_9010And we topped off the night with some Louis CK and my favorite jelly beans.

IMG_9016Today, after taking the dogs for another walk (maybe I’ll make it 2 1/2 miles?) we’re going to go for a bike ride and make a stop at Stewarts for some root beer floats!

How has your weekend been going?

What’s new?

Have you ever discovered a life hack or remedy online that was genius?

I’ve been wanting to post this for 4 days now but I’m still in a little shock actually.

frozen green beans are my new fashion accessory

frozen green beans are my new fashion accessory

Truth:

Remember how I had a great time on Saturday joining that local running group for a trail run? Well about a mile into the run I rolled my left ankle outward (yes, the same one that kept me from running for almost 4 months earlier this year….the same one that was feeling 100% (finally) after months of physical therapy and missed races and cross-training).

Dramatic version:

It was probably a rock or a tree root under a bunch of leaves. I thought I caught myself and pulled my ankle back before any injury happened. I was actually saying in my head “whew! that was close”.

Nothing bothered me for the rest of the day. Ironically even my sore knee was feeling good. Sunday though I noticed I felt sore. And by Sunday evening I realized I was limping! And to add insult to injury my knee was super irritated too. The entire peroneal tendon/muscle hurts (from ankle bone to just below the knee on the outside of my leg) but the ache is concentrated to about 3″ above my ankle bone on the outside of my leg. I’m SO angry with myself for allowing this to happen. But I’m even more frustrated with my body for failing me time and time again. I just want to live a life filled with fun, active things but I keep getting hurt. Yes, I’m guilty of not having the diligence to stick with strength training but really?! This is now the 3rd time this punk ankle has taken me down.

he always makes me feel better

he always makes me feel better

Reality:

I’m actually embarrassed for being so bent out of shape over this when my friend’s mom is dying of cancer and another friend’s mom is fighting normal daily living tasks because she has ALS. This is not a life threatening issue but yet I will be honest and tell you I have been consumed with sadness, frustration, depression but mostly fear by this injury and how it will most likely force me to bail on a 5k this Saturday and possibly a hike my boyfriend wanted me to join him for on Sunday.

I’m trying not to get ahead of myself and only concerning myself with doing what I know will help me heal. Icing, rest, compression, elevation and avoiding being on my feet too long. I also have a bottle of Chardonnay that I’m going to drink (for medicinal purposes of course).

If I am still injured in 2 weeks and miss the race I have scheduled for 12/13 I will basically lose my guaranteed entry for the 2015 NYC Marathon that I’ve worked pretty damn hard this year to secure amidst injury and missing races. So no, I won’t die if this happens but I’ll be pretty sad.

And if this becomes another prolonged 4 months of healing kind of injury I can only think my beloved NJ Marathon 4/26 might not happen. OK, OK, I said I wasn’t going to get ahead of myself.

Reality is I’ll live….but until I know more I’m just gonna have to work through this pity party because honestly it’s not flattering and it’s not productive. I’ll keep you posted.

If you haven’t been reading this little blog for long here are a few links around my previous injury…

when I first realized something wasn’t right

Finally going to the foot doctor

Finding out the doc wanted me to refrain from running longer

The reason I share this type of post is twofold: for one I need to vent and it’s cathartic for me to get my feelings down. But the more important reason is that I know injuries plague so many of us and I’m sure some of you can resonate. So consider this a virtual support group. And please do share your injury stories with me in the comments.