More Barefoot

So, I ran the Freedom 5K in my Vibrams and felt awesome. The walking to the parade, standing around to watch the parade, and walking back to the van from the parade didn't feel so awesome.

I've run 4 and 5 mile runs in the Vibrams and felt pretty good. The thing is, I wake up in the morning and my ankle is stiff and my navicular is occasionally tender. Once I get running it starts to feel better. After the run, things feel pretty good. Then I shower and put on my shoes with my orthotics to pretend to listen to my podiatrist and not overdo the barefoot thing. By the end of the day my ankle is sore and my navicular is tender again. Is it the barefoot running or the orthotics? When I wear my Keens, the same thing happens. I'm really just about done with the soreness and tenderness. I think it's about time I feel completely wonderful. Just tell that to my foot...

So any conclusions? Well...
...I'm glad I had the surgery. It's really been very beneficial, for the most part.
...I think the barefoot running is helping. I can feel my left foot getting stronger.
...I'm still waiting for all the discomfort to go away and the desire to run a marathon descend upon me. (Don't hold your breath for those though!)

And, on a completely unrelated subject, I miss my hubby. He is in Washington, getting ready to climb Mt. Rainier and will come home to me in 11 days. I am counting down...

BFRE, Days 2 & 3

(Note to readers: You can skip the BFRE posts. They're mostly for me so I can log my progress. Truly, my feet are not so fascinating that you need to spend a few minutes of your life reading about them each day!)

So, yesterday I ran 1 mile in my Vibrams and 1.5-ish today. Feeling pretty good. My calves don't tighten up as much, which is good. No injuries to speak of. I can tell that I favor my left foot. I think it's because it's weaker and can't run correctly yet. Hopefully that will change. Tomorrow I will wear my Sauconys with my orthotics to run 3 miles. When I get home I plan to cool down a nice and easy 2 miles in the Vibrams. We'll see how it goes

The Barefoot Running Experiment, Day 1

This evening I began The Barefoot Running Experiment. These are my Vibram Five Finger Running Shoes:


I've been researching Minimalist Running and decided to give it a shot. I respect my podiatrist and believe that he really knows what he's doing. I am glad he sliced open my foot and removed my extra navicular bone. I'm just not so sure about the orthotics and all the orthotic-tweaking he's been doing. I made it through the Wasatch Back with Naproxen, Tylenol, my Keens, and my running shoes (complete with orthotics), but now it's time for something completely different.

It's important to ease into barefoot running. Tonight I ran 1/2 mile in my Vibrams. Tomorrow, if I don't notice any discomfort from today, I will run 1 mile. My goal is to run the Freedom 5K on July 5th in my Vibrams.

My observations through and after tonight's run:

Don't think. Just run. This, in addition to being my personal and our Wasatch Back team motto, held true for me tonight. I was trying to pay close attention to my feet -- how I was landing on my heel, trying to lighten my heel strike, how my calves were feeling, etc -- it was too much attention. When I quit worrying about my feet so much, I fell into a natural rhythm that was comfortable and even. I wanted to go further, but I knew if I overdid it I could hurt myself pretty badly.

After the run my calves were a tiny bit tight, but not too bad.

Other than that, I feel really good. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's run and to increase my mileage.

Missive to My Left Foot

Left foot. Hi. How's it going? I'm doing pretty well. A bit of fatigue that I haven't been able to figure out. Fighting a tiny cold. Other than that, things are good. Oh yeah, except for one thing -- YOU. I don't know if you heard the podiatrist two visits ago, but I know you were there. You can't have missed the "... a little too symptomatic for being almost 5 months out from surgery..." Even the threat of a steroid shot didn't straighten you out. Now, I love you. We have been together for what, 32 years? You've caused me no end of problems, but you've also really supported me, even when you were in pain. I hate to do this to you, but I thought you might like to know -- I am considering chopping you off and getting a prosthetic foot/ankle. There. I said it. I've almost run out of patience with you. The Wasatch Back is this week. 5 -- count 'em -- 5 more days. As of now, I am scheduled to run 21 miles in 24 hours. My heart can take it. My lungs can take it. My legs, knees, and hips can take it. Can you take it? Please do this for me, freaky left foot. I promise I will take you out barefoot running next week. I know you like my Vibrams. That's right. I am going to begin "The Barefoot Running Experiment" just for you. Just hold on and get me through this weekend. We can do this together. And the whole prosthetic thing? I didn't really mean it. I know we can work this out. We're a team. I'll take my Naproxen. I'll bring Tylenol and ice. We can do this. Do this for me, left foot. Please, just do this for me.

Post-Surgery Update

For my mom, who is only allowed to read this post if she promises not to call me up and tell me to take it easy or even stop running.

I went to the podiatrist on Thursday. He is pleased that the swelling is down but a little concerned about the "tenderness at the tendon junction." My next appointment is the week before the Wasatch Back at which time, if the tenderness is still there, he will shoot a steroid into my foot to convert the fibrin (scar tissue) into elastin. It doesn't sound pleasant but I know it will help, if I need it. In the meantime, the pain I feel is bearable and I won't do any damage by continuing to run on it, so run run run I will!

A Running Update

In case you were wondering...

I went running last week and OUCH. Sore for a few days.

I had a podiatrist appointment on Monday, and he said that I won't be doing any damage by running on it as much as I want (within reason), even though it may feel like I am damaging it quite a bit. I can handle the pain. I took that as the go-ahead and ran 2 miles on Wednesday. Not a lot, but I'm planning on 3 tomorrow and 5 or 6 by the end of next week. I'm kind of on the accelerated plan since the Wasatch Back will be upon us before I know it.

J took me up to Striders (a running store) in Layton on Saturday. They have a really neat foot analysis thing where you step on this mat and it sends all the information -- pressure, contact, etc. to a computer. Then they can see what really happens when you walk/run and can recommend the best pair of shoes possible. I came home with a new pair of running shoes and a renewed excitement to run run run! Now, the homemade strawberry ice cream I just ate is trying to talk me out of the 6:30 run tomorrow morning, but it will not win. It will not win. Well, it might win. I'll let you know.

Follow Up

I haven't posted pictures of my recently liberated foot. I am still debating whether or not I should. Most people will not want to see pictures of my foot. As S put it last night (and he hadn't even seen it straight out of the cast -- he saw it after a soaking, a shaving, a shower, and 3 days of healing outside the cast), "Eeeww." The only reason I would post pictures of my foot and unshaven, hairy leg that bore an uncanny and frightening resemblance to my brother's would be for my dad's benefit. He is a medical doctor and is intensely interested in it for some odd reason. I could send pictures to the Albuquerque Costco for my parents to pick up next time they're there, but I don't really want to stumble upon said pictures in my mom's photo albums sometime in the future.

For now I'll just have to satisfy my dad's curiosity by a few random thoughts:
1. Stepping on my foot and not feeling the floor on all of it is very odd.
2. Having the podiatrist abruptly (and not gently) peeling off the scab, all the while laughing with my husband almost made me kick the doctor.
3. Having sutures pulled out is not comfortable.
4. I realize that hair is skin's natural protector, but -- yes, Dad -- I did shave off the 1/2" fuzz that grew on my leg under my cast.
5. Showers are wonderful. Baths with a leg wrapped in a plastic bag sticking out of the tub are not.

That's all for now. Hope that keeps you happy, Dad!

Farewell...

Tomorrow we bid a fond farewell to the large purple cast on my left foot. Last night J added his artistic touch to it:



Looks pretty cool, no?

Tomorrow the cast comes off! I will not miss bathing in the tub with my left foot wrapped in a plastic bag and hanging out of the tub. I will not miss being so slow that I can't even take the boys around the block on a walk. I will be glad to see my pinkie toe again -- I wonder what she looks like. I will be glad to shave my left leg -- I can see the hair peeking over the top of the cast as if to say, "You think we're furry; just you wait until you see the rest of your leg!" I will be glad to be rid of the belly that has settled on my form from weeks of inactivity and junk food. I will be glad to walk and swim for the next four weeks as they are the necessary precursor to running! I hope to never have a cast on any part of my body again in my life! (How's that for jinxing myself?) So long, farewell, large purple cast! I've appreciated you so very much, but now it is time for us to part!

Run

I want to go for a run. A nice long one on the Provo River Trail with a hill or two thrown in. I want to put in my earbuds and crank up my running music (RHCP "Stadium Arcadium") and go go go. I'll even run on the treadmill if I have to. One small problem:


















I just have to keep telling myself that it'll all be worth it once I can start running again. Patience...

A Quick Random Post

I should have surgery more often -- I'm posting like crazy!!

Check out Jessie O'Neal's Photography Blog link to the left. She just posted some pictures from our session. Most of the pics there I've also put on my blog, but my mom will enjoy the one of her, my dad, and S. An interesting note about my sassy mommy -- this photo shoot was the first time in her ENTIRE LIFE that she'd ever worn a pair of jeans. She looks good, doesn't she?

Ward Conference was great today. I'm sure the 2nd and 3rd hours were terrific but I only heard the first. The theme was Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

This scripture is my motto for the year. I'd like to be stronger in many ways, but spiritually and emotionally foremost. Courage -- much needed. And to always remember that God is with me always -- how will that change how I act? How I respond to situations with which I'm faced? Will it give me confidence and faith no matter what I do? I have faith that it will.

And regardless of whether or not you believe as I do, this is a good scripture and promise to keep in mind. There is nothing to be afraid of. Most of the limitations we face are there of our own making. It's a good reminder that there are no limitations, nothing to be afraid of, if we have faith.

And now to sleep...

Day 5

I promise that I didn't go to church today with no husband and a big purple cast on my foot to get sympathy and dinner. I really went to church today to be uplifted and give me a spiritual boost for the week. I received sympathy and dinner because I have awesome friends. It may have been easier and more sensible to stay home, but I am not easy ;) and I am definitely not sensible. I've often thought that church is like an addiction. That said, I must be the addict. I need the weekly spirit that I feel at church on Sundays to get me through the Mondays-Saturdays. I need the interaction with the fabulous women at church since I tend to live in an isolated bubble the rest of the week. I need the 2 hours of my kids being taught by fabulous Primary teachers. That's really why I went to church today. I had my amazing, wonderful, incredible friend and neighbor help me with the boys during Sacrament Meeting. And by help I mean that she wrangled them all while I just sat and actually paid attention for once! Then the older two headed up to Primary and I went to drop H off at Nursery. One small problem: He would not be dropped off. This happened last week too. Last week, after 3 Nursery workers tried to calm him down and interest him in toys, they brought him to me in Sunday School where he fell asleep on my lap. Last week I had J bring him home so he could finish his nap in his own bed. This week -- no J. I gave H a choice: go play in the Nursery or go home and nap. He chose to go home and nap. After I let the older ones know that they would be coming home with our neighbor (and stumping up and down the stairs and through the hallways, running into curious, sympathetic people left and right) I put H in the van and drove home. As soon as I got him ready for a nap and he saw the inevitable course of events, he started screaming, "I want to go back to church! Take me back to Nursery!" and went down for a nap not as happily as I'd imagined he would. Oh well. Make a better choice next week, little H.

And so much for getting my spiritual lift. But I did get dinner. One friend wouldn't let me walk away from her without committing to a day and time that she bring me dinner and another just brought one over. With the dinner I cooked tonight, the one my friend brought over, and the one planned for Monday at 5PM, I won't have to cook at all this week! That's probably good, considering my foot is throbbing -- reminding me that yes, it is still there and still less than a week out from surgery.

The reason I didn't really want people asking me about my foot is that it's no big deal. Plus, it's not an exciting story. If only I was kicked in the foot while harnessing a team of wild horses, or if my foot was run over by a semi truck while I was rescuing a small, frightened animal about to be crushed by the semi's wheels, that would be an exciting story. Extraction of extra bones? Just confirms that I'm a freak. I'm still not sure I want to post pictures of my feet -- people may really think I am a hobbit and send me off on dangerous impossible quests. (That's ok if I get to go with Viggo Mortensen.)

Anyway, here's the official update for my mom:
No pain pills since Friday. The antibiotic and anti-inflammatory haven't made me sick. I can feel that I've been on my feet too much today, but nothing a night of ice and elevation won't fix. I don't have to make dinner this week. The doctor was right about me wanting to kick the cast off already. I feel a strange absence of discomfort on my accessory navicular bone, simply because it's not there anymore. (For those of you who wonder why I update for my mom on the blog as opposed to the phone: It's quieter this way. Anyone who talks to me on the phone during the day knows that you hear me and the boys.)

Day 4

Today was fine pain-wise. I slept pretty well last night and woke feeling good. I rested a bit in the morning and then we took the kids out to lunch. J is off to Idaho for a week starting tomorrow, so we hit the grocery store for some supplies to get me through the week. Before lunch I wasn't feeling so hot, and at lunch nothing tasted right, so I took a much-needed nap when we came home. My foot feels ok. I can feel some mild discomfort when I walk (still with one crutch), but it's not too bad. I am really slow, but that's ok too. I'm just worried about my stomach. What's making me feel so crummy? Is it the pills I'm on? I thought it was the Lortab, but I'm not taking any of those anymore. Can the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory really do this to me? And the big question: Am I going to survive this next week without J? I guess we'll find out...

More from the Surgery Virgin

Today was a good day pain-wise. I only had 1/2 a Lortab this morning and haven't taken a pain killer since. I've walked around a bit with one crutch and experimented with putting more weight on my left foot. I should've spent the day reading my scriptures or Hamlet so my brain wouldn't fall out of my ears and turn to mush, but I didn't. What did I do between naps today? I watched "Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe" on Netflix. Yeah.

Updates from the Surgery Virgin

Day 2 was not fun. Actually, starting at Day 1 1/2 was not fun, but Day 2 was really not fun. Thankfully I slept through most of it. The Lortab makes me feel nauseous, so there was a lot of laying very still so as not to vomit. Last night the pain subsided and I was able to make it through the night with no pain killer.

Now the fun begins...

It has been 50 hours or so since the surgery and now I need to start walking on it. I made two trips to the bathroom sans crutches and then decided to take half a Lortab. Now comes some holding still before I try walking again. Wish me luck!

The Surgery Virgin's Random Notes

Yesterday I had surgery on my freaky left foot. I have extremely flat feet -- so much so that they don't look like normal feet to me, but more like hobbit feet (except not hairy!) The problem with having freaky flat hobbit feet is the excruciating pain I feel after running/walking/hiking long and not-so-long distances. I began seeing a podiatrist last October who took x-rays to confirm that I actually have 2 extra bones in my left foot. When I told my mom that, she laughed and reminded me that I had a couple extra teeth that had to be taken out of my mouth when I was younger. Now that explains a lot -- I have this theory that there were supposed to be two of me, but I ate my twin in utero and now she's trying to break her way out of me. It would definitely explain the crazy voices in my head!

I've never been under general anesthesia before. Even when my wisdom teeth were taken out I had local anesthesia and remember how odd it was that the oral surgeon was practically straddling me, yanking at my teeth with pliers, and how I didn't feel a thing. I wasn't freaked out by being put under, but I have seen J come out of surgery a couple times before and wasn't looking forward to that. But really, life is so fleeting -- anything can happen. I realized that I wasn't afraid to die, if it was my time to go and that's a comforting thought, I guess.

The anesthesiologist was funny. He was alert and confident, which put me at ease. The last thing I remember was him saying, "This one that I'm putting in now will feel a little weird, but you don't have to worry -- you're off to Never Never Land! Ha! Ha! Ha!" And sure enough, 2 seconds later I was out...

I woke up about 75 minutes later after having a dream about the podiatrist saying, "I'll come back when she's more awake" (really not a dream). Apparently I didn't amuse or entertain anyone while under or waking up. Oh well -- J's amusing enough for both of us when he wakes up.

The Surgical Center is like a factory -- they just pump people through. I laid there half-asleep watching everyone come out of surgery -- older people, people my age, little kids -- fast asleep, being wheeled by the OR nurse and anesthesiologist in their blue scrubs with their blue shower-cap-like things. Like a factory. Interesting.

So what are my thoughts about my first (and hopefully last) surgery?
*Not a fan
*General anesthesia is weird
*Ouch
*Better be worth it. I'm clinging to the hope that I will soon be able to "run and not be weary, walk and not faint."
*Lortab -- not a fan, but grateful, none-the-less
*I have the sweetest husband who is taking care of me, the kids, the house, and working from home all at the same time. He's amazing! Too bad I feel so yucky I can't enjoy being waited on!

Updates will follow.