Not the B Word...

I got in to see a foot and ankle specialist on Tuesday at Temple Sports Clinic. I was so excited for the appointment and was really hoping they would help me figure out why this keeps happening. I'm not willing to accept that it's too much running (I've only been running 3/week); my body needs a rest, and all that other crap. For one, I was fine after coming out of the boot last August. I ran 3 marathons within 8 weeks last fall and didn't have an issue. Then I trained harder than I have before for that 3:35 at Shamrock and everything was fine during training. It wasn't until mile 20ish when things started feeling funny. So once again, I went back to PT and took the month off between Shamrock and Boston. Came out of Boston feeling good and thought everything was pretty much back to normal. Then WHAM, it happened again.

So I went into this appointment thinking we'd figure out a solution to this issue. I don't know, maybe my feet are jacked up and I need orthotics, maybe my gait is a mess, anything that would explain this and help keep it from happening again. But that isn't exactly how it went down. Instead, within minutes of being in the office I was told my options for surgery (to lengthen the tendons in my extremely tight calves, which are a cause for the injury), blood plasma treatment, and then the dreaded "B" word was spoken. He suggested I go back into the boot for 6 weeks with NO activity and stretch like my life depended on it. Last time around I was able to swim and bike while I was in the boot but he said I could do neither this time. In fact, he suggested I see a psychologist to help me get through this rough time. Needless to say, I was very upset in his office so he could tell how devastating this was for me. He also ordered another MRI so we can see where I'm at now compared to last year and I have that scheduled for tomorrow.

As for his advice...I listened, I cried, I got angry and then I pulled myself together. Last year I knew it was time for the boot. I knew it for weeks before I even went into it. This time, I'm not at that point. Yes, Saturday I had a lot of pain and swelling but each day has gotten significantly better and according to Dr. Andy, who checks the bump/thickness every day, it's improving. Side note -- that's pretty much how the doctors check your Achilles; they check the thickness of it and how pliable it feels.

Now where does that leave me for the TRI on Sunday? I'm doing it. I've taken it easy this week and swam one day and biked another, both without pain. I've been stretching like there's no tomorrow and even flicking the heck out of the tendon to try to increase blood flow. I've even enlisted Andy to give me calf massages to try to loosen them up. The distance of the TRI is short enough that I know I can get through this without much trouble. Worse case, I shuffle the 2 mile run portion. Either way, I'm ready and determined to become a Triathlete this weekend.

From there I'll decide what the next step is....

I'll be posting a GIVEAWAY tomorrow for MPG Sport clothing!!