I wrote several weeks ago about how I’m doing the C25K (Couch to 5K) beginners’ running program, and how much I LOVE running now. I’m seven weeks into the program, and I’m running 25 minutes without walking, which is just under 2.5 miles for me. This program is amazing.
And I’m totally bummed to say that I need to throw in the towel, at least for a while. All because of one square inch of my body.
This is the evil, painful spot, caused by plantar fasciitis. I’ve been limping around for a few weeks now, but my last run was really unbearable, and I had to stop and walk for the first time in the program.
Plantar fasciitis is the swelling and tearing of the fascia (a connective tissue) that runs from the heel to the toes, creating the arch of the foot. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t seem like an important enough part of the body to make me stop running.
Heart, lungs, brain – these are important parts of the body that one should listen to. Fascia, appendix, wisdom teeth – these are stupid parts of the body that need to shut up.
But I suppose any insignificant part of the body can become painful enough to make me take notice. So now I have to take orders from a stupid fascia.
Today I went for a WALK, which is not a RUN, and not nearly as fun. But hopefully, reducing the impact on my foot will allow it to heal, and let me get running again.
Stupid fascia.
Staci, take a few moments while you are resting (and perhaps icing?) your feet to say a big thank you to your fascia, as it is your connective tissue, all through your body, and without it, you would literally fall apart–and we wouldn’t want that! Wondrous fascia, beautiful fascia–but it will tell you when perhaps it needs some attention.
Peace,
Nan (Yoga Therapist who spends a lot of timing working with her own fascia, and her students’!)
haha…Nan? Are you trying to change my attitude about my fascia? Because while I’m sitting here now icing it, I’m also cursing it. It is not my friend. Not yet at least.
I will try to make friends with it, but right now I’m too angry with it.
🙂
S t a c i
oh that sucks monkey butt! At least you can still walk though, so you’re not completely immobile.
And you can still knit. If one must be stuck less mobile, one should be able to do other productively fidgety things like playing with yarn.
Yes, I can still walk…but walking isn’t without it’s discomfort. At least not yet. And yes – I can knit while I rest my foot and ice it! Which works out very well for me.
🙂
Foot problems are just the worse. I’ve dealt with both plantar fasciitis and later a tendon problem. It is so difficult to keep up with exercise when your dealing with painful feet. They can give you a shot, but I opted to avoid that. There are some stretches that will help. Take it easy and I hope it gets better soon!
Oh, I’m doing everything I can to fix it! I’m icing, taking ibuprofen, stretching, sleeping in a boot (the one I got when I broke my foot two summers ago), wearing only supportive shoes, and now reducing the impact on my foot.
Hopefully I can start running again in a few weeks.
I’m sorry for your pain.
Get thee to a physical therapist. I limped around for almost a year. I tried all kinds of self-adminstered remedies but finally a physical therapist poked and proded me into healing. I wish I had gone earlier not only to rid myself of the pain but my recovery would have been easier.
I have a new physical therapist in South Austin that I love: Ergowellness. It is mostly women and a very collaberative enviroment.
Thank you, Robbie! I’ll keep that in mind. I went to PT for this about a decade ago (the last time I had a problem with it). Nice to know that there is a good physical therapist here in South Austin!
S t a c i
Owie, owie, owie! Been there, felt that. And not from running. Just walking my fat butt around gave me the dreaded PF. Orthotic inserts are what did the trick for me. My pain was worst right when I got up in the morning — something about the way I slept with feet pointed like a ballerina’s made the fascia start healing while the fascia was shortened, and then when I started walking, it would re-stretch and re-tear. Why am I telling you all this? Geez.
Resting and icing will help. And if doesn’t, get thy PF to a PT!
Get well soon Stacie! I know that running can give a person such a sense of empowerment and freedom. When I injured my ankle I put a boxing bag in my basement and pounded away! I got rid of anger, kept fit and still felt powerful. I’m sending healing vibes your way.
I have suffered from plantar fasciitis as well. What really helped me besides stretching constantly was freezing a water bottle and rolling the bottom of my foot on it… You can stretch and ice at the same time! Hope this helps!
Props to you, Stacie for getting through those first tough weeks of establishing a running routine! I’m also a fellow runner (a 10:00 mile give or take) and knitter – and enjoy the meditative aspect of both hobbies. . . Best wishes for a speedy recovery – I know that when you can run again, you’ll be able to pick up where you left off! 🙂
Oh I feel your pain – I have a plantar spur!!! And it sure hurts! Thinking of you, get better soon.
Have you tried knitting while your walking as a way to make the walking more enjoyable/bearable. I am trying this out this week. Both tasks go a little slower when combined but I’m hoping this totals up to more exercise and more knitting – a win/win for sure!
Oh how I feel your pain! Mine has flared up something fierce this week. Back to icing, stretching and ibuprofen. I hope we both get relief soon. And, yes, try the frozen water bottle method; it’s very convenient.
Ouch. I know what you’re going through. The one thing that has helped me is before I get out of bed in the morning I stretch my feet pulling them up towards my shins. The muscles tighten up while you sleep and this stretch avoids agravating it before you walk. Good luck and I hope it’s feeling better.
What worked for me – and I know this is years after you posted about your plantar fasciitis problem:
Put a paper towel on the flower, put the front part of your painful foot on top of it. So that the paper towel extends out in front of your foot – and the towel is under your toes, and back as far as the ball of your big toe. (It’s a lot easier to show someone than it is to describe it in text.)
Extend your toes forward (in the air) and crunch your toes into the paper towel, attempting to gather the paper under your foot.
It really, really helps!
Can’t remember how long to do this or how many times a day, but it certainly cured me. (You might want to get that sort of info from a therapist. ) I found it in a list of exercises (6 or 8?) designed to help with plantar fasciitis – but I never went beyond this one, because it was so helpful.
I can only remember doing this while seated, but am not sure what the directions said.about being seated or standing.