I Don’t Have a Stress Fracture!

Holy Stress! My first project of the semester was due last week and that meant two very late nights completing everything and a subsequent lack of sleep. That post about stress I wrote a little while ago. I’ve been utilizing it a lot plus wine.

So much writing!

 

I got an MRI done, which confirmed that I do not have a stress fracture (YAY) however my muscles and tendons? They’re inflamed, extremely inflamed.

When I went back to the doctor he told me I could run the half, I wouldn’t mess anything up, but I would be in extreme pain afterwards. After going back and forth for a few days, and getting the side eye from every non-runner I know for even considering going forward with the half, I ultimately decided to defer.

Which sucks, and to say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. However, I’m just trying to take this one step at a time and remain positive. I managed to run nine miles, my longest distance, something I definitely wouldn’t have thought possible two years ago, and that’s something to be proud of.

That same doctor who said I shouldn’t run the half, also made it quite clear he didn’t think I should be running any longer. I can handle being told to lay off the running long enough for my foot to heal, but I’m not going to agree to stop running permanently.

So I found a physical therapy office near my house who specialize in runners. My first appointment was Tuesday and I was so impressed! All I did was stand up barefoot and immediately my physical therapist pinpointed everything that was wrong with my posture and how I was probably running and why I got injured. The crazy thing is everything she said was spot on and she didn’t even have to watch me run on a treadmill first.

So what are my issues? Well I’m all out of alignment. My feet are flat, my tibial tendon is inflamed, my hips are too tight and weak. My body is trying to correct my running form with my feet, which is ultimately why I got injured. At the end of the day it was only a matter of time before this happened. She said I needed to get custom inserts which I’m really excited about, and then gave me a ton of exercises to do every day that are supposed to strengthen my calves and open up and strengthen my hips.

I’ve been doing those every night as well as making it to the gym when I’m not bombarded with homework to do some cardio that doesn’t involve the treadmill. I’m biking, and reading at the same time, multitasking for the win.

And then to switch things up I’m using the rowing machine.

And playing fun fishy games while I do that.

My next physical therapy appointment is this Friday and I’m hoping that I’ll be told I can start running again!

What’s your favorite exercise to do that isn’t running?

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