Plantar Fasciitis....

 Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. This tissue is called the plantar fascia. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot.


Diagnosis...  well, you can see a doctor, you can talk to your doctor husband, you can talk to physical therapists, you can talk to personal trainers.... and you can use common sense.


For me, the diagnosis was made by using all the above methods.

Treatment plan:  stop running.  stop running?   really?  yep.  stop.  not cut back.  stop.   


Emotional response: not good.   Just saying.  not good.   When your well being is so interconnected with keeping yourself active, maintaining a healthy weight (not easy for all of us), and overall need of quiet time of running and endorphins from exercise... an debilitating injury can cause much emotional stress.

See, I have not always been a runner.  Many of you know I ran when we lived in Philly, then didnt anymore for a while, then started up again after Shannon was born and I hit a weight wall .. I needed a change, and I found it at the gym. I love to exercise.  I enjoy running, spinning and strength training.  Running has become my fall back, though.  When I cannot do anything else, I go for a run.  I run races, not to compete against others, but to continually motivate myself and give me new goals. 


However, this summer I ran even though I knew I was injured. I kept running, even when it hurt and I knew it was resulting in bad form. I just wanted to get through the relay.    


Well, I did.. I limped through that last 6 miles...  and now, I have only run once in 5 weeks.. and it hurt.  a lot.  more than i thought.  Frustration.   Exhaustion (not from working out, but from not working out).   Apathy.   Irritability.   Hmm. something has to change (besides my foot healing, of course).


So, I have come to this conclusion. I have to let it heal.  Which means... no running.  I will not delay its healing by running too soon.  I am going to focus on strength training and do limited cardio with extra foot support (wearing cycling shoes for spinning). 


Ok, so that is what I will do. I will not gain the weight back while I am not running, since I will keep going to the gym and maintaining my strength... and watching what I eat.  I will not let my emotions get the better of me, either... nor my ego.  I will wait until my body tells me it is time, then I will be running again.... in time for the Spring races and next summer.... :)