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A few more training runs since the ARR South Mountain Classic, trying to be careful with this plantar-faking L foot and get rid of my smoker's congestion at the same time. In April, I ran on 4/1, 4/2, 4/4, 4/6, skipped a week, ran this morning, and have 1 more run on Friday morning Thursday evening. Other than running 5 miles on 4/2 (earlier post), the other runs have been 3.1-3.3 miles between 10.37-13.33 average pace. The pain comes and goes but it is there every day. I feel like I cannot ice my foot enough during the day and sometimes I only ice it at night. Last Sunday, I worked almost all day doing the latte grind + a special event so my foot was screaming that night. Dr. H. told me to come back before the end of the week to get another steroid shot since he knew I was determined to run the next race. I went back to see Dr. H. this afternoon, flirted a bit, got the shot, and now the foot is numb until midnight. I also bought the suggested arch support inserts but forgot to put them in my shoes for the run this morning. I am curious to see if they make a difference. Check out the picture below. I am still learning the language but they look comfortable!
Only a few days left until I race in Pat's Run for the 1st time. I am excited and amazingly enough, not nervous like I usually am before a race. The race is 4.2 miles and I expect to run the entire time. I have had some bronchial congestion and tightness. Thankfully my legs have felt great so I am running on that positive note! I am carpooling with Geyer to the light rail (only $3.50 all day), riding the rail into Tempe, and walking a short distance to the start line.
Jeff is gunning to beat his time last year (38:33, 9.12 average pace, crazy fast!) and I wish him the best...gotta set goals and go for it. I, however, gloated lovingly told told Jeff that I am happy to set an automatic PR since I have never raced this distance. I would like to run a 10:00 pace but am little unsure with current bronchial challenges, the foot and the 30,000 amateurs people I am sharing the course with this Saturday morning. I just hope I can do better than the last 5K in 50:10! All in all, I expect a fun, local event for a good cause & may see a few friends too!
Ok, my foot is nothing like this, thank goodness it is only plantar fasciitis! ;)
So I went back to the doctor after 3 weeks of R.I.C.E., barely running, watching the entire season of Mad Men on Netflix, and tending to my garden (my peppers are growing and yours will get eaten by N so suck it Geyer!). Of course, per doctor instructions, I could have done cross training at the gym but I nixed that plan and decided to gain a few pounds. That will make the depressing news of no running easier to take, right?!
I arrive at the office, check in, pay the co-pay charge AGAIN and sit down to read the latest issue of Edible Phoenix while I wait for the doctor in an exam room. Ok, this is where they (conspiratorial physician vampires) suck you in. I waited almost no time for the 1st visit with the doc and waited 30 minutes for this follow-up visit. After 15 minutes, I told the receptionist that I had another appointment. She said, "The doctor is about 15 minutes behind schedule." Well, I am glad that someone can tell time. I thought I was too early! 'WTF is he getting here?' is all I want to know? Turns out someone has trouble telling time as Dr. H. saunters in after 30 minutes just as I am re-scheduling my next appointment.
Dr. H: How are you? How is the foot?
Me: Everything is great. My foot feels better than ever! Just thought I would read and relax in a cold, sterile room for the evening and say 'Hi'.
Dr. H: Appreciate the lies. Let's check out the foot.
Me: I walked the ARR race instead of winning it, my kids laughed unmercifully and my RP got twice as many miles as me that week. It still hurts alot and I am tired of the couch potato routine. Have you developed that magic pill yet?
Dr. H: Well, is the pain decreasing like running down 32nd Street after a hill run or is it up and down like the rolling hills of the South Mountain course?
Me: Listen, foot fetish man, pain is pain is pain and I have pain every day. Can you just give me that shot again so I can beat Jake Plummer during Pat's Run this Saturday? I think I have a shot at it...get it?...hahahaha!
Dr. H: Your foot feels fine but you can drop in (we know what that means without a scheduled appointment) on Friday.
Me: Great! See you Friday. Gotta go...off to get a bikini wax...now that is pain I will pay for any time!!
Stay tuned...shot is coming, I promise! 
:D
Keeping me waiting for 30 minutes = cleaning up this nasty nail for FREE, right?! ;)
Monday, March 21, 2011
How do you like that title? Just wanted to get the conversation started...right?!
I finally got the referral to see the foot specialist. Gotta dislike HMOs and jumping through a wasteland of hoops! During the afternoon of my professional development meeting at school, sans students, I snuck out for an appointment. Luckily the doc office was close, so I dashed over to Phoenix Foot & Ankle Associates at 17th Street and Thomas. I completed the new patient paperwork, paid the co-pay charge, and waited a reasonably short time for a doctor visit. Dr. Timothy Harlan, DPM/MS/FACFAS, strolled in after my brief intake with a male PA. Harlan checked out my feet (we know he has a foot fetish!), noticed the swelling, and based on my description of the last 5 weeks, dubbed it...plantar fasciitis. Ya think?! I doubted my running partner, my PCP, online literature. But as soon as Dr. H. said the words, I am hooked! Super nice guy, witty (almost as witty as JG). They took an x-ray of my L foot, thankfully no stress fracture. He recommended that I purchase arch support inserts for my running shoes. Then we got to the bad news.
Dr. H: STOP RUNNING!
Me: But I have a major race in 5 days!! (insert pleading sounds)
Dr. H: You can stop running until your foot heals or risk more damage.
Me: Well, can I at least run the 5K?
Dr. H: Man, I love runners, now we get to the compromise. (I am NOT laughing!)
Me: But I am taking runners from my Cross Country team. What if I just walk the course? (new tactic)
Dr. H: If you stay off your feet for the rest of week, you probably can walk the race. Be prepared to stop.
Me: (internal thoughts) Whew, crisis averted, money well spent. And yeah right, like I would stop and turn around once I started a race!
The other free parts of the 'prescription' are continued R.I.C.E. Then Dr. H. gave me a steroid shot in the bottom of my foot to bring down the inflammation and told me that the area would feel numb for 6 hours. I think I need a codeine scrip to make the woozy feeling complete! I asked if I needed to schedule a follow-up visit in a month or so just to check in since I surely would be cured. At one point during the interview, he said that he would not be in business without runners and I confirmed the addiction...hahahaha! :s See ya in 3 weeks, doc!
I DO NOT LIKE INJURIES!!
A few more training runs since the ARR South Mountain Classic, trying to be careful with this plantar-faking L foot and get rid of my smoker's congestion at the same time. In April, I ran on 4/1, 4/2, 4/4, 4/6, skipped a week, ran this morning, and have 1 more run on 
