13 weeks.
It’s been 13 weeks of physical therapy (PT), doing my PT exercises multiple times daily, and patience …
And I finally have the green light to run!!!!!
I started the Couch to 5k (C25k) running plan this morning, Saturday, May 25, and so far all is well, no foot pain 🥳
Let’s go back …
Last fall I ran a half marathon, City of Oaks, in Raleigh, NC. I finished. During training I did have some right foot pain. Of course, plantar fasciitis is a common foot injury/issue runners deal with and I dealt with it. Sometimes it was pretty bad, other times, manageable.
After the race, I took two weeks off – no running at all. I tried to run, and the foot pain returned. Alright then, body. I listened, and took 8 weeks off from running. I attempted a short, easy run at the end of January and during felt fine, however later in the day, the right foot pain was there.
Damn. This is not plantar fasciitis. It was quite severe. Time for a new game plan. I sought out a PT, Jen, with BreakThrough Physical Therapy. I saw her February 22 for the first appointment. During her evaluation, she basically said the foot pain is due to my pelvis being rotated.
I knew the foot pain was “just” the symptom and there was more at play here, so no surprise to me. I was excited to get going with the plan.
As anyone who’s been to PT knows, much of it is exercises you have to do on your own at home. I was, and am, motivated to get back to running so no problem there.
However, about 6-7 weeks into PT every week, I was just not feeling like I was improving and it was difficult to continue. I shared this with Jen and she was so great about it – empathetic – and also blunt that I have to believe that this is going to have an end, will work, and have patience to stay the course.
It was about 10 weeks I could feel it in my body, my lower back bothering me less, and doing my exercises, that there was a change. At my 11 week appointment she tested me and then I had the strength and she said technically could be given the green light to run. And she preferred I waited till I saw her again to be sure I was at least maintaining things.
At this point, no problem. I had worked on my patience and self-talk around all of this.
I had had a talk with myself somewhere mid-way to 8 weeks where I just didn’t feel like I was improving. I recall sitting out in our backyard, a beautiful, sunny Sunday and wondering if this was the end…it’s just time to throw in the towel with my running career.
However, I still could envision these running dreams I have and I refuse to believe at 44 “this is just it” and “this is just the way it is” and “it’s only going to get worse from here.”
So PT on I did – going every week, doing my exercises, and believing.
Due to vacation in there, I saw her yesterday, at 13 weeks from starting, and re-tested, maybe even a little stronger than the last time, and was officially, officially, given the go-ahead to start running.
It’s been quite a journey …and really, it’s only beginning.
What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?
Vincent Van Gogh
I realize for many, this seems like maybe even a “silly” worry and issue and most people claim they “can’t run” or “hate running.”
Yet running for me, I’ve realized is a part of who I am.
Earlier this year, I probably had the worse mental health I’ve ever had. Feeling very depressed and hopeless, about many areas of my life. I believe not running contributed to that for me. I do believe though I learned a lot – about myself, my brain, and other ways to manage things.
And, I’m going to stay on this journey of running. I hope you’ll follow along with me.