Well, I set out to write a post about how I’m getting my life back in order after all the recent upheavals, but things are still so chaotic I couldn’t get that put together. Yes, I could confess that I haven’t done upper body strength in seven weeks, or how I want to do yoga three times a week but keep “forgetting,” but then I thought…. I’ll join Marcia for August Runfessions! I have lots of running related confession, so let’s get started!
The first thing I’ll “runfess” is that this plantar fasciitis is getting old. Really old. Like, a year old. There have been times during the year where I thought it was getting better, but if anything, it got worse during the six weeks I didn’t run because of my hip issue. It doesn’t usually hurt when I run, but getting up in the morning, or if I’ve been sitting for any length of time, is ridiculously painful. Sometimes I’ll just hop to the bathroom in order to avoid stepping down on that foot.
I read an article about an unusual treatment for PF, which is botox injections. I’m intrigued! However, I seriously doubt our insurance will pay for botox injections in my foot. I don’t mind paying the money, IF it works. After all the other things I’ve tried, I would say botox injections sound iffy.
On the subject of physical ailments, I’ll “runfess” that after years of rolling my eyes at people who say running is bad for your knees, and having two perfect knees (in spite of all sorts of other injuries) I now seem to have a “bad knee.” This one literally came out of nowhere.
One day I was running just fine, and the next time I ran both of my knees were suddenly killing me- aching horribly below the kneecap. I hobbled through a couple runs, then took about a week off and slowly eased back into running. Now my left knee is fine, but I’m left with a sore and achy right knee.
It doesn’t hurt much while I’m running, unless I step down in a funny way or have to stop short. It does hurt a little when I do squats or lunges, so I feel like I’m constantly babying my bad knee. I still have no idea what caused this. Hrumph!!!
Okay, enough about aches and pains. In my opinion, a good “runfession” should include something horrible or embarrassing, and I’ve got one of those.
On my recent road trip to Texas, things started out so well, food-wise. We ate healthy foods that I brought along, and managed to find good, vegan-friendly fast food options (Moe’s, Blaze and Chipotle) for the first three dinners. As I drove back by myself, however, the food I brought along dwindled and finally on the last day I was so intent on just getting home, I only wanted to stop for the bathroom or to get gas. Having only eaten an old tortilla with some peanut butter all day, I decided to buy some boiled peanuts at a gas station in the middle of Florida, and ate them for lunch. This, possibly, was a mistake.
I made it home just fine, and the next morning went for a five mile run. Somewhere in the middle of the run my digestive system was letting me know that it was very, very unhappy. You know those runs where you have to make an EMERGENCY STOP in the bathroom?
Well… this was just like that, but there was no bathroom involved.
Ever have an emergency stop in the bushes? – Up until last Sunday, it hasn’t happened to me in a long time.
Are you running with any aches and pains now? Ever have knee problems?
26 Responses
Umm, yeah, been there done that! I’ve runfessed many an emergent potty stop because I have a really sensitive GI tract. One time, I was running on the bike path and I had to duck into the woods. As I was taking care of things, a running group came by. I don’t think they saw me but sheesh! I wonder how it will be when I return to running?
Ha ha, that’s funny an entire group came by. Your GI tract might need a little time to get used to running again- I know if I haven’t done long runs for a while my gut doesn’t quite know what to do at first… but then it seems like it gets in shape, just like the rest of my body.
Haha, yes, I just had an emergency stop like that yesterday! Fortunately, it was early in the morning and off the beaten track.
Perhaps your insurance will pay for the botox as it’s for medical purposes? Try it, you might be lucky!
Ha, good to know I won’t be shunned by the running community for pooping in the bushes! I’ll try to see if my insurance will cover botox, but I really doubt it.
So my mom gets botox in her head and eye area for migraines and it seems to really help. You know I am a big fan of prolotherapy and I know people do that for PF. I would try either one at this point. Try some of the strength for runners classes that also have upper body you might like them!
Yes, I know you do prolotherapy a lot and it seems to really help. I’ll look into it.
I had a marathon, once, where I made the mistake of using fruit snacks for fuel (long story, but it was a crazy busy training cycle and my long runs didn’t allow for much fuel “trial & error”). Mixing all that sugar with Gatorade (intermittently) was a BAD idea. Thank goodness, there were ample portapotties at EVERY mile, because miles 18-23 were a little scary LOL. Other than that, I’ve never had to take it to the bushes…except for an occasional pee release 😉 Knock wood, my knees have held up great, except for that weird emergency surgery in 2017, but that was a staph infection and not really an injury-related incident.
Ha, live and learn, right?
i would have said the same thing about my knees (and I’ve been running since high school) until a couple months ago. What in the world happened to my perfect knee record? GRR!
I’m sorry to hear about your knee! I’m going through a bout of Running Knee and I’m realizing that perhaps I have always had some structural issues with my knees (thanks, genetics!). And I’ve had a couple of bouts of PF, ugh…I never hard of the Botox treatment, I’d be really curious to know if it actually works!
I’ll let you know, Janelle! And let’s hope our knees hold up!
I think we have enough people to start an injured runner link-up, but no runner WANTS to be in that group. I’m sorrty your PF is still an issue and that your knees are still giving you grief. With my Achilles issue being insertional (in my heel) I am constantly worrying about PF. Luckily all the stuff I’m doing for my ankle is benefiting my feet too.
I thankfully have not had a bathroom disaster, but I have had to RUN home and SPRINT to the bathroom.
Ha ha… yes, that’s a group no one wants to belong to. Yes, I think the work you’re doing for your ankle should ward off PF. I think mine might have originally come from a very tight soleus muscle (in my calf.) Also, if you start to feel anything in your foot and get it treated right away, it would probably be fine. I let mine go on for way too long before I got treatment.
I had knee problem and I solved it with 4 shots of hyaluronic acid in one month (1 per week).
Luckily I never had a “bathroom disaster” during a run but something of similar happened to me in Scotland the night before a 10 miles race. I ate for the first time in my life the haggis in Edinburgh and I spent the night in the toilet.
Yes, I remember you said that and I looked it up- it sounds like a good treatment. I wonder if I can get it shot into my foot???
No real aches & pains, other than I’m a mass of mosquito bites right now. They seem to get me around dinner time & I ne er remember to reapply bug spray. I’m sorry you’re still battling PF.
Ha e you considered taping your knees? It was a godsend to me when I first battled IT problems & even though that’s been mostly under control for years, I used to still tape for longer races.
I have a whopper for next month’s runfessions. 😊
Ooh! I can’t wait for the next runfessions. I have thought about taping my knee… thanks for reminding me!
I am sorry you are still having issues with PF and your knees. I would also do the botox if I knew it would work. The only bathroom issues for me is that a few times I’ve had to stay in the bathroom a bit longer in the morning before heading out for a run or race.
Oh yes, I have that too!
Oh, you poor thing! I had one similar incident, 16 or 17 years ago. I was out for a walk, and I. Had. To. Go. We won’t discuss if I made it or not.
Botox for PF? that’s interesting.
Ha ha… yes, sometimes there’s no need for too many details.
Your emergency potty story speaks volumes to me! LOL In fact, I just went for an afternoon run and barely made it back into the house in time…
Ha ha… it can definitely be a problem!
Knock wood there’ve been no emergency visits to the bushes for me so far. Sorry your PF continues to be so painful. It seems like Botox might work. Too bad we don’t know for sure. Thanks for linking!
Wow, all those marathons (and all the long training runs leading up to them) and never a stop in the bushes! You must have a gut of steel!
Yup. Tried some new fuel. Didn’t go well.
Too bad about PF. Hope you find some relief.
Knock on wood. No pain at the moment.
Ah, you are in that “golden” phase of running where there’s no pain! I hope it lasts forever!