I’ve got some heel updates, but first, I froze my butt off volunteering at the Jacksonville Best Damn Race over the weekend. I’m a Floridian, so temps in the high 30’s might as well be a snowstorm to me. And as a proud Floridian, I don’t own any “real” jackets. I do however, own, a bunch of long sleeve t-shirts and light jackets and hoodies. I decided to wear all of them. At one time. Oh, and of course, compression calf sleeves look amazing with capri pants.
 
Disregard the messy hotel room.
Setting up a Nuun station with Tori. And $1 gloves.
I never really warmed up, even though the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. I still felt frozen (no Disney references please) by the time the race was over and I got back to the hotel to take a disco nap before heading home.
 
There are still two more Best Damn Races that you can run: Safety Harbor and Orlando. And my code is still, UNICORN, for $5 off. Come see me!
On the way home from Jacksonville, I started listening the podcast equivalent of crack. Serial. I NEVER listen to podcasts but I was desperate because I was tired and the drive home is about four hours. After one episode, I was hooked. It’s totally worth the listen, regardless of your thoughts on the outcome of the case. (It’s an examination of a Baltimore murder case from 1999.)
 
Pretty much.
Ok, now on to the heel.
 
I went to a podiatrist yesterday to get an “official” diagnosis. You know, versus my own WebMD diagnosis. I felt as though I had Achilles tendinitis after an extensive internet search that let me to various non-injury-related videos of puppies and kitties. How does the internet always do that to me? Anyway, the doctor said he wouldn’t call it tendinitis but rather “insertional heel pain.” Uh…what’s the difference? Well, it’s basically the fascia that’s in between the bone and tendon that is the cause of the pain. He took an x-ray and can see a small spur forming because of this but wasn’t overly concerned about it.
 
We discussed the shoes I am running in and how often I run and all the other general running questions a podiatrist asks. As a side note, I could never be a podiatrist. I’m not a fan of feet and having to look at foot fungus or busted toes all day everyday would end me. Thank God there are people who choose this profession.
 
After we discussed my running and shoes, the doctor gave me some inserts to try. He added a heel lift to them and told me I could try a short run/walk this Sunday. He said what I’ve been doing thus far is exactly what I need:  R.I.C.E., PT exercises, DWR, etc. He also said that this was a stubborn injury, which I sort of figured. No real surprise there. Come to think of it, are there any non-stubborn running injuries?
 
I’m gonna be a giant.
I’m not sure I’m quite out of the woods yet, but I’m walking with no pain and waking up with no pain. I’m hopeful Sunday goes well and I can resume running. Otherwise, it’s back to the pool I go.
 
Ta ta. Have a wonderful hump day!