Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Is it Better Yet?

Well, the short answer, of course, is "no."  I still feel pain at the base of my left heel when I stretch it out, or when I toe off.  The pull in my right calf seems to have resolved, more or less, but I guess I still have a case of achilles tendon/bursitis in my left heel.  I've done nothing but swim, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  This has been good for my swimming.  Yesterday and today, I'm actually taking off, since I have a work crisis that needs my full focus.  It is, however, searing my soul that the biggest race in Brooklyn history will go off on Saturday without me.  I love the Brooklyn Half.  My photo for this blog is a photo from last year's race.  This year the "expo" is in a tent just a few blocks from my house in Brooklyn Bridge Park.  A big piece of me wants to just pick up my bib and soldier through it.  I am counting on my runningprof friends (you) to talk me out of this.  Let the injury heal you will tell me, right?? Okay, right. . .   Grumble, grumble, ouch, grumble, grumble, ouch . . .

12 comments:

  1. WE ALL TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL. Even those of us who are not profs.

    I would even be tempted to go out of town and avoid witnessing the race! But you are stronger than that.

    In 2005--right before the summer I spent in Brooklyn--I was signed up and trained for Boston. I trained on the course every weekend and was nailing track workouts like it was nobody's business. And then, an Achilles injury followed a snowy 2-hour run.

    I rested, swam, got acupuncture etc. but it wasn't better enough by race week. I deferred until the next year and instead of taking the bus to Hopkinton, I was on the Monday morning shuttle bus to the Harvard School of Public Health. I remember passing through Kenmore Square and seeing lots of spectators and signs out already. I definitely cried a little. It sucked. I was thinking of looking back on my blog archives to check my facts, but it's too traumatic!

    All of this to say that the grumbles are well warranted!

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  2. Thanks Becky!! I remember your frustration. We talked about it at the time. If I were a good person, I'd go out on the course and cheer on my friends. Instead, I'm thinking I might take a bike ride on Saturday. In the opposite direction!! I may be alone on 9W . . .

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  3. Bike ride avoidance strategy is good, but so is sucking it up and cheering groups of runners on...I got a huge buzz from doing that a few years ago at a marathon I had to miss due to achilles t. Might make you feel good! Meanwhile, yes, acupuncture, cross friction massage, and keep up the amazing cross x work!! And here is a HUG too! HEAL!!!

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  4. Sorry to hear this, Ted. I like your strategy, with a caveat: biking isn't free of Achilles stress, either. My near-miss with an Achilles problem (like Becky, in the lead-up to Boston) was an improvident race the day following a long ride. So keep a close watch. (And consider moving the cleats as far as possible toward the heel.)

    Spencer hasn't chimed in on this particular tale of suffering, but between you and Philip -- is this what I have to look forward to after age 40? Should I take up bowling while I still can?

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  5. Max, you have nothing to worry about. We are not your future...we your elders never intended to instruct you by leading by being Good Examples...we are much more in the vein of Horrible Warnings....

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  6. Max, the run/bike combo seems particularly risky. This went from chronic to acute during a brick workout.

    Over 40 is a mixed bag, says the injured guy who just set a whole bunch of PRs after turning 50 . . .

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  7. Ted -

    Be strong and rest up. These are all over use injuries that only get better with rest and massage. I have had too many things go wrong to learn the hard way. But never the Achilles so far. But know how frustrating this can be. There is always another race.

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  8. And wish me luck tomorrow. I am running with Max in Virginia on the trail to Mt Vernon.

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  9. Doctor prescribed a topical anti-inflammatory. Maybe that will speed things up. ..

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  10. Oh, and have fun in DC. I love that trail. I have run and biked on it many times!!

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  11. Ted, what is the topical treatment?

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  12. Voltaren gel. We'll see how it works. Day 1. . .

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