About a five weeks ago, right around the time I bought new running shoes, my left heel started aching, both while running and occasionally throughout the day. I didn’t think much of it and hoped it would just go away on its own, so I kept running six days a week (update: two of those runs were super easy + 15 to 20 minutes each).
Well, it hasn’t gone away, unfortunately.
After discussions with two of my best gal pals (both are doctors), Nick’s mom (an orthopaedic nurse practitioner) and coach Andy, I decided rest would be the best thing for it. So, no more running for six weeks. SIX WEEKS… that seems like an eternity.
Not sure what it is – my self-diagnosis is either plantar fasciitis or a stress fracture – but most likely running two races (the twin K 13k and the TC 10 Mile) way too hard too soon after Ironman Canada contributed. If it’s still bothering me the first week in January, I’ll have it looked at.
My last run was about 10 days ago, and dang, resting is hard. I’m itching to get outside to pound out a few miles – even in snowy 20-degree temps. But, my heel is a still aching (I notice it most in the morning right after getting up), and tough as it is, resting is the best thing for it.
So, instead of dwelling on what I can’t do, I’m using this time to focus on improving what I can: biking, swimming and strength training. Bring on the trainer and swimming pool!
32 Comments
I’ve been going through hamstring troubles and have been taking running breaks on and off for the last four months… and it stinks. Hope your heel feels better soon!
I’m SO sorry to hear about your foot issues 🙁 But as you said, you have other loves besides running and I know that you’ll be swimming and cycling and yoga-ing — and the next six weeks will fly by 🙂
Bravo for being smart and taking a running hiatus. Sometimes rest is just what the body needs. And like you said, it will be a perfect time to work on those other disciplines. 6 weeks will fly by! Trust me, I know a thing or two about rest and no running 😉
You were running six days a week?! Why? [Probably because it’s fun and convenient and awesome. I’ve totally been there.] This break from running might be hard, but it might also be a good lesson so that you don’t overdo it again. It’s been years since I’ve run that many days in a week. Even when I have running races on my schedule I’m only running around 4 days/week and one day is super short and easy. Depending on your insurance or access to a podiatrist/sports medicine specialist, I’d recommend getting it checked out (and of course ask around, so you know you’re going to one who knows athletes). Taking 6 weeks off might be good enough to heal your…heel, but there might be something going on somewhere else in your bones or muscles or something (stress fractures in females are sometimes a nutritional/hormonal issue). A good doctor could look beyond the heel pain and prescribe strengthening exercises that will help prevent something like this from happening again. Hang in there! -Cathleen
Sending healing vibes your way.
I love the picture, you could be a lululemon model! 🙂
Love that photo of you, Sis! So neat!! Resting will be good for you. Besides, you aren’t really resting because you are doing all those other things still. 🙂 xoxoxo
I’m sorry you are going through this. I feel your pain. What a drag!! It is best to heal now and be really ready to train for IRONMAN when you are healthy. Before you know it, you’ll be healed and immersed in intense training again 🙂
NOOOOO! So sorry to hear this. But like others said, rest will do you good. It’s really not so bad once you get used to it :). I had a foot/ankle stress fracture a few years ago that took 10 months to heal so if it is that, take it from me and rest now (I didn’t and paid for it by quadrupling my time off)! Focus on your swim/bike/yoga and the time will fly. And wine helps :). If you decide to go in to get it looked at, let me know…..I’ve been to too many orthos in the TC and feel like I’ve got it nailed with who is good and who isn’t :)!
Grrrrr! Sorry to hear this. I can feel your pain. My recommendation would be to go to the doctor now. It would be better to have to wear the boot for 6 weeks than to take 6 off and then the doc tell you to wear for 6 more! I swam with my stress fracture, pushing off with one foot. Mine was on top of my foot, so I did spin classes without any issue. I avoided standing because that put pressure on my foot. I did strength and yoga too, just didn’t do certain things and stood mostly on the other foot. If you have to have one, this is the best time. The cold and dark off season! You already have a good attitude, I can tell; working on the things you can do. Heal up, you have a big year ahead!!
Having to take rest from running is no fun at all. I had to take two weeks off and I really missed it, but it felt great once I started again the Sunday 🙂 I’m sure the break will help your heel.
I know that I had my first “case” of PF last year – and it was pain in the heel, probably worse in the morning, right when I got up. I took about 6 weeks totally off from running but was fine for skiing, swimming and biking (until I bruised my tailbone…).
If it is plantar fasciitis, I would definitely recommend active release therapy, if you haven’t tried it yet. It did wonders for me and I’ve had a healthy year (knock on wood).
Good luck with the resting and healing!
Oh no! But look on the bright side it happend in the off season and as you say gives you more time to bike/swim. I am always on the cautious side so if you can go see your physio 🙂
Oh no, being injured is the worst, I had to skip a marathon last year because of Plantar. I took a mini break from running and got super feet inserts and haven’t had issues since. Did you talk to your coach about pool running or elliptical? Hoping you heal up fast!
Ugh sorry to hear! That really sucks. But that’s the good thing I find with triathlon, at least you have the other two to focus on if one isn’t working out. I didn’t run for the month of November for recovery reasons plus vacation, and I ran this morning and it wasn’t as bad as I thought after 4 weeks off – so I bet you will come back strong still!
It sounds like plantar faciitis, which I had last year. And I agree, resting is excruciating!
Ugh… Sorry. Being injured sucks! Rest does help (even though its hard). Heal fast
Echoing what Kristina said above about PF…I had chronic PF a few years ago. It was never anything that kept me from running or biking. It never got worse but never really went away despite stretching, etc. I thought I even had scar tissue built up or something. It was especially sore in the mornings. I switched shoes (not because of the PF but just because I wanted to try something new) and within a few weeks, the pain was completely gone, like it was never there! (I happened to switch to a more minimal shoe…but I have heard others have the opposite experience). As I have been recovering from NYC, I have worn my heavier shoes more and have noticed the heel soreness reappear again. Soo…just my 2 cents from my experience. Not sure if that info will be helpful to you or not, but hopefully the time off works and you are ready to start strong in the new year!!
I understand how you feel! I, too, took 6 weeks off from running. This past Friday was my first run back. I will be training for my first full IM starting early 2014, so I thought it would be a good idea and rest (from running) in hopes of healing various aches and pains. I have dealt with PF in the past and still try to regularly stretch and massage to keep it happy. One thing I would suggest (if you are not already), is to thoroughly stretch your feet before getting out of bed. This will help “wake them up” before stepping on the floor.
Good luck with your rest period. I spent lot of time swimming, core work and time on the bike trainer. It was harder on the pretty days. I am in NC, so a sunny 65 to 70 degree day is not terribly unusual. Those days were tough to not go out running!
Oh no, Erin! So sorry to hear! But honestly, now is the perfect time to rest up. You don’t want any injuries lingering when you really start ramping up Ironman training. I had PF a few years back and it would be the worst in the morning because your feet aren’t flexed when you sleep… or something like that. A boot might be helpful in helping it heal, but rest is the best method, too. On the bright side, at least you aren’t completely sidelined! There is still plenty you can do!
Swim through it! your strong! keep your head up and your feet healthy 🙂 x0
I hope it heals quickly!
Sorry to hear about the imposed running hiatus. Hope everything heals up quickly for you!
Way to be smart and really take some rest time rather than pushing it until you really can’t stand it anymore. I know how theraputic getting out for a run can be, but at least you can bike and swim without bothering the heel! So, it’s not complete rest, which would feel worse! Thinking of you, and hope you feel better soon!
Sorry to hear this. I guess the silver lining is that it’s a good time of year for it with race season far away and slippery sidewalks. Hope the six weeks off cures the issue!
Oh man! That is no fun!!! But you will come back better and stronger after you have given your body some rest!! This is a great time to work on swimming and biking!!
I’ve had a bit of plantar off and on and I love to roll my feet on a lacrosse ball or Tiger Tail…it helps a ton and I actually heard today that it somehow helps your hamstrings?!? 🙂
I’ve felt your pain, quite literally. I went through about 9 months of heel pain, and saw two physio therapists, but neither recommended I take time off. Everyone above is mentioning Plantar Fasciitis, but I wouldn’t be so quick to think it was that. My heel ached in the morning, and everytime I went from sitting to standing, but neither physio found PF. Although it was never properly diagnosed, (something physios here are very hesitant to do in case they’re wrong – great system!), whatever my physio did to help alleviate my hip pain, also alleviated my heel pain, and I’ve been pain-free for months now. See a physio now and don’t self-diagnose and assume. Too many people do it, and get it wrong.
This sounds a LOT like when I had PF. I have found that lots and lots of stretching the backside of my body helps with fending off any inflammation from reoccurring…especially stretching the back of my legs, but with the whole ankle bones connected to the shin bone – shin bones connected to the knee bone – etc…, I found it’s best to work the whole back of your body from foot to head. Down-dog does a PF sufferer great!
I hope the time off heals you. I had a calcaneal stress fracture on my right foot March-June that I dealt with, and during that time I got to know my bike really well. I think you’re smart to take such a long period of time off to heal it and to get more advice if it’s still funky in January.
You are so smart to rest up because then it will be ready to go for the year head! Have you ever tried water running? I haven’t but know some runners who did it to recover from injury. One other thought. My new work has an Alter G treadmill. This is a gravity eliminated treadmill. You should see if anyone in your area has one that you can train on now and as your build your mileage back up! Feel better and enjoy the cross training!
Oh, no! Foot pain is the worst! Resting is the best medicine though, even though it sucks. I hope it heals up soon!
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