Plantar fasciitis= surgery

[Tri Girl]

I tell my pf folks who love flip-flops to wear Chaco flip-flops, and walk in them gripping the flip-flop with your foot and holding it close to you. That makes you flex your toes and lift your arch, which strengthens the muscles that aren't doing their job (and leaving all the work to be done by your pf, which just can't)

You can also strengthen the same muscles by curling your toes into a tight fist for 5 seconds, then splaying your toes out wide for 5 seconds, many times a day.

Thanks, Knot. That's great advice! I appreciate you suggesting those things. Crocs and Chacos. I'll look into those for sure. I am a warm weather lover, and the thought of wearing tennis shoes all summer again like last year bums me out.

I've pretty much laid off running. For 3 months I did NO running, then started to get depressed of sorts from not running. Since then, I've only "run" once a week for 2-3 miles for the last 8 months. That is a significant drop in my normal mileage. It's the most break I can give it while not completey losing my mind (cycling and swimming just don't do the same mentally for me and I can't stand the elliptical- I'd rather run in pain). When I do run, we're talking 12-13 min. miles with walk breaks, so it's not like I'm doing much more than a fast walk anyway. I don't think it could get much more rest.
Now that I'm IM training, I will HAVE to run (and run in pain if that's the case). There's no option for me. I figure the last 11 months of almost non-existent running didn't do much good, so I'm going to ramp it up since I'm in pain anyway. It may be foolish, but I can't stop living and doing the things I love (are you sensing the stubborness yet? ).


Thanks again, everyone, for your great advice/support. I just KNEW you'd understand and have lots of words of wisdom and such. You ladies are the BEST!
The PT is the next step.

[spokewench]

Sorry to hear about the need for surgery. I've pretty much got my plantar fasciitis (sp?) under control now. I did physical therapy and I do lots of stretching every day - but I'm not running - I'm just playing tennis. It puts a lot of strain on the foot stopping and starting and going side to side, but probably not as much the repetitive same thing on the foot as running.

My tennis instructor had this surgery after have plantar fasciitis for years and it cured her for good. So hopefully, it will do the same for you.

spoke

[KSH]

WOW, I don't have any wisdom... all I can say is... that sucks! REALLY SUCKS!

Try to do what you can to get through IM training and the IM with it. Maybe you should try a walk/run combo? I'm doing a 5 minute walk, 2 minute run comb on my longer sessions. It's works nicely and I keep around a 11:30 minute mile. Not blazing fast, but at the IM, when others are walking, I'll be zooming by.

So hopefully the surgery will fix the problem. Right? If so, then that's great! I would say there is a silver lining... ya know?

Well hang in there as best you can.

[colby]

I have no advice, but lots of sympathy. Around here, that still counts!

Take it easy, keep exploring those options - you know you're not going to have the surgery soon, so keep looking for things to make you more comfortable and successful in the meantime.

[anakiwa]

Just wanted to second the Birkenstock and Chaco suggestions. Earth shoes have also been great for me. Dansko clogs definitely made my PF worse, so I'd be careful with Crocs.

I spent a lot of time reducing my running, and then going nuts because I wasn't running enough. In the end, changing all my footwear, orthotics, and using ibuprofen while my foot recovered was what it took.

Good luck with you foot, and your IM!

[Blueberry]

I had PF, tried stretching, etc. Nothing helped. I got busy with work and didn't have time to address it. It went away on its own. Very strange.

I think danskos can make it worse because of the relatively raised heels. Crocs are flat, and were fine for me. As were Chacos (I live in them).

[Running Mommy]

ohhh TG!!! I sure do feel for you. I've had PF in the past and it is horrible! And having not been able to train at all for over a week do to my back is making me cranky too. So I know how you feel. UGH it sucks!! hang in there, and be smart w/your training.
Oh boy life does hand us lemons sometimes... sigh...
But lets look on the good side. Other than that you have your health, and are able to ride and swim. It could always be worse!

take care

Denise