So I took the plunge, got some vibrams, and tried them out. They were great. In fact I couldn't believe how light they felt and how easy it was to run on the balls of my feet. Last Tuesday I ran and began to experience a painful twinge in my left foot/heel. By midmorning the pain was gone. Wednesday I went running again and the pain came back full force. I had to limp home and spent the day in pain.
Here it is Sunday night and my ankle is still swollen and throbbing with pain. What to do?? Do I baby it? Do I try to ignore it - no pain, no gain? Do I wait until the pain is completely gone before attempting to exercise again? The doctor would want it x-rayed and I'm not doing that. What is up with my foot and what should I do??
8 comments:
That doesn't sound too good. I'm not one to diagnose but I'll offer a couple of things. Any twinge isn't really good so I would definitely take a few days off at least.
You probably know this but it takes time. Did you start out slow and easy, in small increments? Your whole life has been spent with your heel and leg bones taking the brunt of your foot strike. All of the sudden, you're trying to tell your foot to work how it was intended (as a spring) but it hasn't been engaged since you were 5 years old running around the front lawn or playing hopscotch.
Are your calves sore? After you strike the balls of your feet, are you letting your heel come down slightly? Make sure you're not just prancing on the balls of your feet. There should be some minimal secondary contact on the midfoot/heel area. I don't have vibrams but when I changed my gait and started midfoot/forefoot running, I had to start at 1/2 mile, mile, and slowly work up. Your calf muscles should be taking a good amount of the force and you should feel it the next day, or the day after.
No, I didn't start out as slow as I should have...and I am an idiot. What's weird is my calves haven't hurt at all. I thought I was running with the balls of my feet first and heels coming down secondary. In fact, I really concentrated on that. But I guess it wasn't enough. I probably hit my left heel just enough to cause some severe bruising or straining. I did the elliptical this morning and it wasn't too bad. I guess running is out for awhile. Thanks for your input, Chad. I have been down in the dumps and it was my own dumb fault. You cheered me up.
I just started running in my viberums and I pushed it a little too hard the first time... the next day my lower calfs and ankle muscles (that I never knew I had) were so sore that I could barely walk... but it was the good, masochistic kind of good. But I've had to slow it down.. one because I start to hurt in weird places.... and two because I'm so out of shape I can hardly run anyway.
I definitely agree with Chad as far as taking a little time off. You do have to build up increments.
And naturally you're going to have issues with first starting to run in your vibrams/changing your gait. I had the issues with the severe shin splints. After resting from running and doing minor exercises for that area, my legs were able to recover and now issues are gone.
So definitely rest. You're body will treat itself (as always) and come out stronger for it.
Thanks for the input. I finally saw the dr today and after I explained how I did it, he smiled and said "no break, no stress fracture, no sprain - just inflamed tendons and ligaments" and his wife is reading the book. So I just have to be super patient - which is really hard for me. I am so bummed because it felt so good at the start. Oh well, it could be worse.
I'm glad it's nothing too serious. I would listen to Trevor, especially since he just ran a 21+ 5k in his vibrams....after the bike in his last traithlon - impressive.
Also, make sure you stretch those calves. It helps for me at least.
Also, don't forget to take some tylenol with some Smashburger and Mt. Dew. That always seems to help me.
I finally had to see a podiatrist - I am in the dreaded boot and on steroids. Bummer!!! Hopefully it's only for a couple of weeks. He wasn't too impressed when I told him when/how the pain started.
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