Monday, September 26, 2011

Run Update

As most of you know I have set a goal for myself to run everyday. All I have to do is run one mile minimum each day. Most days I run about 2 miles with a couple of longer runs and maybe a one mile run each week. Last Thursday was my 4 month anniverary. I ran 3 miles on Thursday, 2 miles on Friday, and 2 miles on Sautrday.

Well, on Saturday afternoon I very clumsily and carlessly broke my pinky toe. Not totally sure if I broke it, but it is black and blue and sure feels like it. Sunday morning I very carefully strapped on my shoes and went for the most painful run ever. It took me 16 minutes to run one mile. Once I got home I crept into the bathroom and cried for a couple of minutes while trying to get my shoes off then sucked it up and carried on with my day. Today I waited until around lunchtime to take my daily run. I have to admit it hurts worse today. It was a slow, painful and tear-filled run today.

I have been struggling with my daily run goal. Do I stop and heal? Do I continue? Do I have to start all over? Frustrated.

11 comments:

vickie said...

STOP AND HEAL.

any sports injury -- from a pulled muscle to a broken (!) toe -- needs time to heal. if you keep running on that freshly broken toe, especially with all that pain, you're just re-injuring it with each pounding step.

plus, you may unknowingly (or knowingly) be adjusting your stride to try to spare the toe/ease the pain, which could cause problems elsewhere in your body.

RICE -- rest, ice, compression, elevate.

i vote for a run-free week, then see how your toe feels.

ODonnell Family Blog said...

I'm leaning toward that too, Vickie! I'm just sad to start over!

cod said...

Kat, I agree with Vic!

You will need to give up your focus on keeping the daily schedule and adjust it to doing it for health reasons.

In order to get the most out of a run, you need to be able to go all out.

Do some other kind of exercise in the days you are pampering that toe. if you are exercising, I'd say you haven't broken the cycle. Count those days too!

.....and bless your heart (((Kat))). Feel better!

Amy J said...

As awesome as it is that you are running every day, and I know you want to keep it up everyday... I'm another that is going to say to let it heal.

I would take it easy all around. keep on some ibuprofen, and do the RICE. :)

Hopefully it will be feeling better soon!

Mary Ickert said...

RICE RICE baby.... I know you probably don't want to hear that but have to agree with everyone... I don't think you will lose any motivation and in fact will probably be more than ready to get back up on that saddle when you are ready. But give it at least a week... I broke my pinky toe over the summer so I know how painful it can be. But as long as you do the rice thing it will get better and better each day. At any rate I am proud of you no matter what and hope you are feeling better soon!!! Hugs!!!!

Bruce said...

Rest your toe/foot....Then start again, ease back into your routine..You can do this!!!!!

rhonda said...

Definitely need to rest. I hurt my foot over the weekend as well. The trainer at work says to lay off a week of the long walks I've been doing. He says to keep up activity, get on a bike instead. Take way you aren't breaking your streak - just changing activity. Could you try that? Either a real bike or a stationary bike?

I know your disappointed but you've done incredible!

vickie said...

totally agree with moob that you're not breaking the cycle at all if you just opt for a no-impact activity while your toe heals! it totally counts!

i like the stationary-bike idea. a rowing machine would give you the hardcore cardio. you could even do yoga.

this might also be a good time to get back in the pool -- swimming is a great, no-impact way to exercise!

just make sure you tape your pinky toe securely to its neighbour beforehand.

cod said...

So what did you decide?

Also......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SOMEONE I LOVE A LOT!!!

megan said...

REST!!! My mom breaks toes almost monthly and has had pins, etc in her toes, and the dr. repeatedly scolds her for continuing to ballroom dance on broken toes. He says she makes the breaks even worse by not giving them time to heal. I know how you hate to break your streak, but it really is important.

cod said...

I have a pin in my little toe too from breaking a toe at the beach. :-/