The day started out fine. No pain, no worries....this 5k obstacle course was going to be a piece of cake. About half way through dodging the zombies my foot started to feel achy. I chalked it up to my shoelaces maybe being a little too tight - no big deal. About half way through, however, that ache got worse and worse to the point where it was throbbing at the finish line. I quickly changed out of my drenched clothes and trail shoes and noticed immediately the red area across the top of my foot. Something was definitely up. No sooner had I removed my shoe than my foot started to swell. Not good.
I iced and elevated for two days and when it wasn't any better on day three, I went to sports med. Three x-rays and $50 later and they can't "SEE" anything, but the doctor still thinks it's a stress fracture and wants to do an MRI. Well, I'm still paying for two surgeries and hospital stays from 2011 and am not about to pile on more debt now that I'm also taking on student loans. I turn down the MRI and take my chances. He says no running for 3-4 weeks. That much I can (reluctantly) do, but I will continue to walk and strength train. I've come too far to backslide my progress and with my Super Spartan a month away I can't just give up on exercise now.
The hard part is my schedule. I have Mudathlon this weekend and another obstacle 5k next weekend. I've invested too much into these and don't care if I have to walk the whole thing. I'm hoping I can immobilize my foot enough through bandage and KT tape that it won't worsen my situation. I can't recommend doing what I'm doing, medically speaking. For me, however, the heart of healing is the spirit as well. Optimism and determination go a long way in healing and if I'm to get better I can't be confined. I NEED to be moving, to be active, in order to be happy. Let's just hope my stubborn attitude doesn't extend my recovery time.
