Sunday, May 16, 2010

Perhaps Too Much Training

Well coming off of what has been the biggest training block that I have ever embarked on it seems as though I found what my current limit is. A week ago Saturday I headed out with Jon and Cody to run leg one of Pocatello 50 plus a few extra miles. My left foot was a little sore going into the run, and throughout continued to be a nuisance. The following day it hurt much more than I expected so I decided to take a couple of days to see if it would mellow out. Well a week later and only about 30 miles of running and it seems to be feeling a little better, but is not totally better as I would have hoped. Best I can tell I have developed a small Morton's Neuroma, mentally this has been a huge blow. I am as fit as I have ever been, ready to have a great racing season and now it is all uncertain. I think I am probably just using this post as a way to release some frustration that I have with this injury, for which I apologize to anyone reading this, the intent of this blog is to share with the world how I try to maintain balance in my very busy life and sadly this is part of that balance. I would dare to say that right now things are out of balance, a significant part of my daily routine has taken a hit. It is interesting how when the delicate thread of balance that is my daily routine is rocked, even with what at the surface appears to be a minor injury, how large the repercussions are in the other aspects of my life. My wife would say that I have been a little irritable, but in all my spare time that I have not been running I have checked some major projects off of my wife's honey-do list including a rebuild of the shed in our backyard and re-finishing the hardwood floors we found under three layers of linoleum in our kitchen. I am also spending the extra time prepping for my last exam in PA school that I have to take until after graduation when I would then take the boards. So in the end this injury has been a mixed blessing to dedicate time to things that needed taking care of and let me body recuperate from the heavy training load that I had been putting on it. I have an appointment to see a good friend tomorrow who happens to be a fantastic physician to discuss what to do now so that I can get running again without having this injury slow me down any more. If you have personal experience with Neuroma's or have any good recommendations of what to try please leave a comment below.

4 comments:

  1. Luke, what is the old saying? Moderation in ALL things... But, now that it started, I don't think that moderation will help you. The transverse arch in both my feet fell some years ago and led to this developing for me. It has never been diagnosed though so I don't know if that is truly what it is. Classic symptoms of pain between the third and fourth toe. Anyway, I have lived with it for years. It is worse at times than others, but seems to reach a certain level of pain that it never goes beyond. I just learned to tolerate or ignore it while running. I notice that certain shoes make it feel better or worse, so you could try a tire change. I usually rotate through three different pair of shoes. The other thing that you might try is taping those toes together. Just some thoughts.

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  2. Hey Luke; sorry to hear about the possible MN. yucky. Matt Hart went through an experience with one last year, and after trying literally EVERY conservative treatment (i swear, i felt like i told him to get it cut out weekly), he finally went and had surgery and is racing strong again this year. even if it doesn't show up on MRI, if you are symptomatic, and fail conservative treatment after a month or two, i would seriously consider just cutting that thing out and getting on with your running. just my two cents worth. good luck at your appointment.

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  3. That stinks- sorry to hear about your foot. I don't have any experience with that injury, though, so can't help out. Sorry.

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  4. What did you find out about your foot?

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