Down-in-the-Dumps Don

Aloha Friends,

Usually about this time of the week, you are able to read what's been going on over the past week or so, out on the hard, hot highway. Well, let's turn the clock back about 8 days. If you've been following the training, you will remember a couple of reports, regarding the 71.3 mile training event. Neither report mentioned my sore feet, which I blew-off typical ultrarunner fashion, since ultrarunners deal with pain al the time. However, I might should have mentioned it...in fact, I might should have stayed at home (instead of doing the 71.3). To cut to the chase, now I've got rather serious foot problems, most likely due to over-use.

Last week I was a good boy and did zero training ! It would have been too painful. I know what you're thinking...what about you tough ultrarunners dealing with pain all the time?? I know. Folks, it hurt just to take a small step. Picture fire shooting out the end of your toe ! Okay, maybe I'm a wimp...a woose...a weanie, but I honestly felt that it would be in my best interest to give it a rest. But you can only rest so long. Besides, I can feel the Badwater clock ticking...tick, tick, tick. I made a trip to Wessel, my great PT guy, who thoroughly checked everything out, recommending rest, ice, ice, ice, ibuprofen, medicated pads, and metatarsal pads. I see him again on Thursday.

This morning, I just had to do something ! So, I put training plan B into effect and went to the YMCA for some aqua-jogging. After all, there would be no impact on the bottom of my injured foot. It worked well for about 35 minutes, until I the affected area began to ache. I exited the pool and by the time I got to my locker, it was really hurting. Not a good sign...now I'm really worried ! With just less than two months of actual training time before Badwater, and having an injury that could possibly take months to heal, I'm scared as hell !

Screw this...it's time to see the doctor ! I went straight there, without an appointment (not smart), but got lucky and they worked me in. After consultation, examination and x-ray, the diagnosis is the possibility of a bone spur (and of course, bruising, inflammation and trauma from over-use. They are going to have me see the podatrist. On hearing of my plans in Death Valley, the doctor actually suggested that she send me to a psychiatrist first, before the podiatrist. The nerve ! However, she was smiling when she said it. Now we wait to see the foot doc.

Okay, that puts us up-to-date as of 2:15 pm on Monday 5-14-07. Please keep your fingers crossed for me, as I need all your positive energy right now. It's very tough to just sit here, when I need to be out training. Just call me "Down-in-the-Dumps Don"

Comments

[Larry Inouye]

Hey Don,
I don't need to be a psychiatrist to know that you are crazy. Knew that from day 1. And, I know that you are not a wimp. Knew that from day 1.01 as well. All I can tell you is to take it easy, relax and get healed up. I think you still have enough time to train and the rest will probably help you in other ways as well. I know its tough to not do anything but hang in there. I'm confident that everything will turn out well for you in the end (how can it not?) and you will have a great, highly successful finish at Badwater. Let me know if you need anything from me. Aloha.