That is the question. Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer… or is it idiotic?
I may be (probably am) in denial. During the past few days, I have felt a slight pain toward the top of my right foot located around my fourth metatarsal. Past experience with a stress fracture in the same foot makes me believe it could be a stress reaction or fracture. The pain isn’t much — it’s very easy to ignore — but it’s very specific and definitely not tissue; the type of pain that makes me stop and think, “Should I be running?”
And that’s the type of question runners should probably be answering no to.
Maybe I’ll find a podiatrist, but I’m pretty sure he or she won’t be happy to hear that I am running in my trusty water shoes, which are likely part of the cause of this pain. Apparently, I did too much too soon in those shoes. I listen to my body; it seemed to be handling it well.
I want to run, there is no question. Even contemplating a break makes me feel lazy (even if the consequence is cracking a bone). I finally reached the point in my training where I planned to start increasing my mileage to an average of 30 miles a week.
If I had a bike or a gym membership, I wouldn’t be so stubborn. But two to six weeks of rest… what a depressing thought!
The jury is still out.
I’m kind of in the same position. I stubbed my toe in the dark and haven’t ran since Saturday when it got worse. I only ran a mile and walked back home. Doesn’t seem to like pressure right now, so I have been RICE’ing it.
I do have a bike (and a recumbent bike inside) which is a good alternative. Can you borrow someone’s bike?
I could borrow a bike, but I don’t have a convenient place to put it in my tiny apartment. It would have to decorate my living room. It’s definitely something to consider, however.
Good luck with your foot!