Tuesday, June 7, 2011

A non running related foot injury to a runner is CRUEL TORTURE!

Seriously! I can understand eating it on single track, a stress fracture, blisters....it's all fair game. We beat our bodies and shit happens. Deal.

But, not injury at the FISH STORE. Ugh. So here it is a week before my 10k. The 10k I've kinda trained my fucking ass off for! Ya, that one. The 60 miles a week in 90 degrees heat, 5am tempo runs. Total dedication. That little 10k. lol.

So I'm at the fish store like I am every week getting salt water for my reef tank and I'm standing there looking at the snail tanks waiting for my water and out of no where this mother fucking 3 foot long maybe 8" wide, 25lb metal piece of fish tank equipment fell down my leg and landed on my foot. I really don't know how it happened. Clearly it wasn't secure and I must have leaned into it.

Immediately my foot starts squirting blood in 2 places. I go BALLISTIC!! I am screaming every obscenity I possibly can think of because it HURT. Then I really lost it and start screaming, " I am a runner. I have a race this week. Look at my foot! How could you be so careless?! blah blah...race...runner...omg...arterial spray...blood..omg 6:20 pace...." It was pretty bad.

I calmed down *some* and decided to go home and see what I was dealing with. It was very swollen and still bleeding.  I didn't go to the doctor initially. I didn't want some jack ass telling me not to run. So 24 hours pass. My foot is still bleeding *tiger blood*. lol.. So I went to the ER. I had xrays and it wasn't broken. They cleaned under the skin flaps 2x (not fun) and then wanted to put in sutures. So here we go again:

Me: Ummm, I'm pretty sure I'll rip those sutures out in a mile. I am a runner. I have training to do and a race. I don't want sutures.
Doctor: You can't run. You get this so infected. It has to stay dry. We need to close it.

awkward silence.....

Doctor: Let me get another opinion.

15 minutes pass

Doctor: ok, we can put glue on it. That will give your skin the least amount of irritation. We don't want you to run but if you have to please do x, y and z....You are taking a risk. We will give you an antibiotics just in case.
Me: ok. Well, I have to run in the morning. Can I have some topical pain cream? This foot has to fit in a running shoe.
Doctor: Nope, any creams will break the bond of the glue.
Me: Alright. Done. If I have to change my socks mid run to keep the wounds dry I will. I will be the BEST non-compliant patient ever!
Doctor: Good luck Laura
Me: I'll keep you posted. It's all good.

So I took Monday off. My first off day in a very long time. Today I woke up ok. I wasn't limping. My toes and foot were turning a slight black from the bruising but whatever. I have Motrin for that. I did a few jumps and felt sore but ok. YAY!!!

I ran 10 miles. The first few cautiously the last few reckless (kinda) 7:12 pace with 6 x 30 second surges.
I immediately took my shoe off to inspect. It did bleed a little and the bruising is darker. Oh well. I washed and dried it right away. Appears fine. The run was a success.

This Honey Badger will run sub 40 on Saturday. Just saying ; )
ER. Thumbs down

that's not bleeding per se. Those are holes.

Not ideal right before a race!

So, I'll never bitch about heat, humidity, rain or snow. Promise! Just give me a good foot and I'm all good!
I hope this didn't gross you out. I'll get a new bikini and make it better. LOL Just kidding!!

xoxo
Laura

6 comments:

  1. OK Im in pain just looking at that...

    Take a day off, and use the rest to recover for your race, it will do you the world of good.

    we all want you to fly around that 10...

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  2. I'm not sure... but Motrin also might thin blood... which wouldn't be good for clotting...

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  3. thanks coach dion! I'll think of you flying up that mountain on your effortless sub 38's!

    Meghan, I know. I switched to some prescription anti inflammatory that isn't supposed to mess me up so much. Ugh!

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  4. dang! that looks bad! toughen up! haha I kid I kid!

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  5. Benny, getting my foot into the Nike Free is torture because it's a sock like shoe and the gash is on top of my foot. But once it's in I'm all good. Me and my black toes will haul ass this weekend!

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