I have been reading a lot about over-training and injuries lately. I haven’t been seeking out these posts; they have just showed up in my regular blog reading. It saddens me to think that I *should* have “known better” than to push so hard in those last weeks before my injury occurred. I just felt so good. *Sigh* – but now, I don’t feel so good. I am frustrated and tired of the whole thing. But I have a sneaking suspicion that I have much more to endure.
I have always been a strong advocate for “listening to my body”. My body wasn’t telling me to slow down though; it was saying “this is fun – go faster” and I did. I could see this happening if I had not listened to my body’s messages and ignored the warning signs. That wasn’t the case, and yet I instinctively knew at the point when I wrote my post on control and discipline, that I should ease up.
I DID ease up. I had only run 3 miles the day prior to the injury. My schedule had called for a 6 mile run at marathon pace. My average “moving” pace for that run was 8:41/mile, and my average pace overall (including stops for lights, etc) was 9:00/mile. I had taken the Friday off and had run 4 miles at 9:00/mile pace on Thursday. But I guess I was too late in backing off. I am not going so fast anymore. My body is now saying “Ouch – this is NO fun at all.”
My MRI is scheduled for tonight. I am anxious for answers – whatever they may be – and treatment. I can’t be sure, but I don’t think that the Ibuprofen or ultrasounds are helping. I am not sure if the ice baths are helping either – though I don’t feel much discomfort for the period of time that my foot is numb. As for the strengthening and, newly added, foot stabilization exercises, I think they are actually aggravating things. Again, I can’t be sure. I do what I am told and limp along the path for supposed recovery.
My podiatrist had told me to leave her a message telling her when my MRI was scheduled so that she could see me soon after. I have left 4 messages now, but I still don’t have an appointment. When I called the appointments clerk to try to schedule it myself, I was told the next available was November 20th. I started to cry while I was still on the phone with him. I asked him to find out how I could be seen sooner. He said it takes about 5 days to get results, and I told him that in my prior experience, things like stress fractures can be noted immediately but the final read would not be done until later. I asked if I could see another podiatrist and he said that “wasn’t allowed”.
So, let me get this straight: It IS okay to make someone stay in pain for 20 more days because there isn’t an early appointment, but it is NOT okay to have them be seen sooner by another podiatrist.
I am so frustrated…. and STILL waiting.
I am so sorry. I can so relate. I remember going through the same frustrations. Sometimes it’s just better to find a more attentive and available specialist than to play the waiting game. Ugh.
Poor Juls – what a drag.
Call back, tell them you need to come pick up your MRIs so you can take them to another podiatrist and see how fast they can get you an appointment. Unless this is Kaiser in which case you have to tell them you are having a new pain and can hardly walk and REALLY need to see someone NOW!
The frustration!!!! It’s sad how healthcare can be sometimes. I know a great ortho=come to Chicago!
I for one hope your MRI finally leads to a proper diagnosis, one that isn’t as vague as “overtraining”. Good luck, and I hope you can kick the right butts to get an earlier appointment.
I guess it’s a fine line between pushing yourself and pushing yourself too far. I hope you get your MRI results soon and get the proper care. I like 21CMs suggestion.
THis is like dejavu for me. Jules, MANY of this make this mistake. I’m STILL learning lessons after spending six months recovering from a stress fracture.
Hang in there. It’s tough (I know) but you’ll come through the other side a better, wiser runner. :)