This boot was made for... walkin'

I should have been happy just running one marathon this year. But, noooo, I had to try for another. My body decided otherwise.

I have self-diagnosed achilles tendonitis. I'm almost positive there was no tear or rupture (but I do have a doctors visit coming up to verify - in a couple weeks). This is an overuse injury that in my case was caused by trying to do too much. I took a week off running when I had the gout bout (after the September marathon), and probably increased mileage too quickly to get ready for the November marathon. It was stupid, because I was feeling sooooooo good this year (or at least I'd convinced myself I was).

It was two weeks ago yesterday, during the 16 mile run, that I first strained it. I haven't run since. The problem now is, when it starts to feel better after a few days, I forget about it and take a step (or stair) and re-aggravate it. So I am going to try the boot for a week or... so. The worst pain is higher up, into my calf, so I just want to immobilize it for a bit. I read where the tall boot was best for this type and placement of injury. We'll see.

I actually feel much better walking with this thing on than limping around on a sore leg. It feels pretty sturdy, and hurts less when I walk - especially going up and down stairs (which I do often at home). I also do quite a bit of walking and standing at work, so it should help with that.

I'm trying to switch my brain into 'recovery mode' and avoid the "oh woe is me, I'll never be able to run again" mindset. Although, I am always perplexed by people who seem happy I can't run. Like my mom (and others). Why is that? Why would you not want someone to do what they find joy in? Why would you not want someone to exercise? And, really, what is it about running that people are so against? I don't know. It boggles my mind.

Anyway... here we go. This boot was made for walkin'... and gettin' on the mend. I am probably done running this year, but hopefully if I can get this healed, then work on some new stretches and strength exercises, I can be back at it next year. That's the plan.

***

Genesis 32:24-32

²⁴ So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. ²⁵ When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. ²⁶ Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

²⁷ The man asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob,” he answered.

²⁸ Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

²⁹ Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”

But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

³⁰ So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

³¹ The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. ³² Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.

 

Running over

I guess I am done running. At least for awhile. No marathon in November. No daily mental therapy. Nothing to work towards or look forward to. Not much joy.

I've been limping around all week since straining my left Achilles tendon last week. I didn't do anything but ice and rest for a few days, then on Wednesday I thought I'd go for a bike ride. It felt perfectly fine pedaling the bike, so I went pretty hard for 30 minutes or so. As soon as I stepped off the bike though... I realized that was a mistake!

I worked Wednesday afternoon/evening, and it was almost unbearable pain (for me). I debated whether to borrow some crutches from the physical therapy office, because simply walking any distance resulted in a sweaty brow. More ice and rest since then... and I can almost walk limp free again.

So, I will likely take a month or so off from running... and see how things are. I have a routine doctors appointment in about a month, so if it's not better by then I will see what he suggests. I'm hoping it will be fine at that point.

What's weird is... I feel like my legs and feet are going through withdrawals. They just feel "funny." I am definitely going through emotional withdrawals. In only a week, when I get home from work, it's like I don't know what I'm supposed to do. So I pretty much just sit there. I'm playing a lot of games on my phone; listening to a lot of music. I wish I could at least go for a walk or something, but at this point it's just not possible (or probably wise).

I know it's not the end of the world, but I've been pretty down. I've also been pretty grumpy. Such is life...

***

Romans 8:22-27

²² We know that everything God made has been waiting until now in pain, like a woman ready to give birth. ²³ Not only the world, but we also have been waiting with pain inside us. We have the Spirit as the first part of God’s promise. So we are waiting for God to finish making us his own children, which means our bodies will be made free. ²⁴ We were saved, and we have this hope. If we see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. People do not hope for something they already have. ²⁵ But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently.

²⁶ Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. ²⁷ God can see what is in people’s hearts. And he knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way God wants.