Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Ankle Cuffs

Only a fellow runner will understand the frustration, anxiety and pure panic that comes with an injury on race week.  Not just any race, a MARATHON.  I have no idea what I did, but I'm officially off-the-charts with worry right now.

I had a slight soreness on the outside of my foot this past weekend, nothing worth mentioning but enough that I gave it some massage and ice. My long run on Sunday didn't improve the situation I'm quite sure. With just a tweek of soreness, I did a short recovery run on Monday morning... and that's when it became a problem. As the day grew on, the soreness grew into an irritating pain. I've been wobbling around ever since.

My very professional Google research has determined it to be a strain in the peroneal tendon, which wraps around the underside of your ankle bone (on the outer side).  I've never heard of it before, but let me tell you this... you need it for running and walking.
I'm confident to say that with rest/ice as the (again very professional) Google research says, it will be fine... Although maybe not in time for Sunday's Little Rock Marathon. It could be a glorious day (weather looks super awesome!)... or an incredibly painful one for me.  I'm reaching for straws right now (I have 4 days!).  My mom mentioned soaking it in Epsom Salt. Have you ever heard of the healing power of magnesium sulfate? I'm going to give it a try, along with continued rest and ice... and then somehow try to stay sane. Not running this week is absolutely driving me CRAZY.  

So send those healing prayers my way please...

26 comments:

  1. I use Epsom salt baths very frequently. I'm not sure if they help but if you get the scented stuff its really quite nice!! Walgreens carries it.

    I hope that you get this figured out and good enough to go on for your big day!

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  2. I just bought some Epsom salts to soak in after some very abnormal muscle soreness after Princess. I wanted to do a 1/2 Saturday and hoping it will work for me, hope it works for you.

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  3. Sending healing vibes to you! Best of luck!

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  4. Might KT tape get you through the marathon?

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  5. Jess,
    Im surprised that your "profession" research didn't bring up some strange disease. That is what usually happens when I Google an ache or pain. I'd follow the epson salt bath and rest theory.
    Good luck in your Run Sunday.

    Mike

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  6. I ABHOR baths but I'll rock an Epsom soak when the muscles declare it necessary... not sure that a tendon strain will benefit from it, but I don't think it could hurt to try.

    That's the tendon I sprained in high school; it still pops whenever I rotate my ankle. Rest it as much as you can, and I'll be sending you some good vibes, yo. xoxoxo

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  7. Hope your foot fells better fast! I have heard great things about epsom salts:)

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  8. Epsom salts had helped me with issues in the past.. Hope it helps you!

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  9. I use epsom salt baths to help my ITB injury. I think it helped! It defiantly cant hut. Try KT tape as well. Good luck!

    amanda

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  10. Be very careful with this... I ended up having surgery because mine tore through. If it doesnt get better quickly, then you shouldnt be running. Feel free to email me if you would like to talk further.. i can tell you all about the peroneal tendons and their issues!

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  11. Rest these next four days and then reassess. Praying for healing and a enjoyable 26.2! Hang tough!

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  12. Listen, I understand Little Rock is important to YOU...but be careful. Seeing you in Georgia is important to ME.

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  13. I'm totally sympathizing with you right now! In the past week or two my calves have seriously been having issues....and I'm heading to Little Rock to run the marathon as well! I've given up on any fantastic time goals, right now I'm just focusing on finishing without any serious injuries. Here's hoping to a pain-free race for us both this weekend :)

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  14. Try epsom salt and google kinesiotaping for the peroneal tendon, can really help the irritation. Also arch supports may help, if you are an overpronator and not wearing them, the peroneal tendon can be working overtime to help reset your foot for each step....(I'm a PT). I would tape you and tell you to take it easy this week, if the tape feels good, try it for the race, can't hurt!

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  15. As soon as I saw the picture for your post, I knew what pain you were feeling! I have LONG had trouble with my peroneal tendon. I have tried EVERYTHING! I'll share what has worked best for ME in dealing with this problem: I now switch my running and casual shoes constantly! If one of them is causing it, I'm hope mixing it up helps. MASSAGE definitely helped. The massage therapist focused a lot on my calf, but down the side of it-where the peroneal tendon runs. I even laid on my side for her to get it best. That worked wonders!! I highly recommend trying it. I've also worn ankle braces OR KT tape for a little extra support (google how to KT tape for peroneal tendonitis-the video is great). I also take an epsom salt bath every night. I try to ice it after workouts if I do any. I noticed that riding the bike bothered it more-made my calf tighter/tendon tighter, therefore the foot hurts. Avoid banked roads or uneven surfaces-definitely made it worse. My treadmill seems to help it-flat surface and more give than the road. I had different experiences with resting it. When my foot began to hurt in the past, I took up to 2 weeks off from running-BOO!, right? BUT, then when I found these other things that helped decrease the tightness in my calf and tendon, I would only need a few days off and it would be better. AH! Such a frustrating problem-and it's reoccured with me 4+ times. I've finally learned what helps/doesn't help. Email me if you have any questions. jcglover27@gmail.com

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  16. Oh no!! I hope that with good rest you'll feel great for your marathon. I believe in the power of epsom salts! It definitely drew out a horribly deep splinter that bothered my husband for over a week!

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  17. Oh man that stinks. As someone that ran a half on a metatarsal stress fracture I know how you feel. Just be careful and know your limits. I'm now in a boot. Please go to the doc after your race!

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  18. Oh man...sending you amazing healing vibes. But come race day, listen to your gut. You only have 1 body. We had a runner on our team who tried to run on an injury that she hoped had healed. Ended w a spiral fracture. You know your body, listen to it!! You are ALREADY a rock star!!!!!!!

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  19. Goodness!! THANK YOU everyone for all your great suggestions. Know that I'll be trying them all out. Long may we run!!! :)

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  20. Oh no! I hope it is better in time for the race. I would recommend using KT Tape and epsom salt. Take Care!

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  21. I have Peroneal Tendonitous. Wrap it. Seriously. Go buy KT Tape, watch the youtube video, and wrap it. The first time I went to the foot doctor and he wrapped it, the pain went away almost immediately. I had to get custom inserts for my shoes because it wouldn't go away, but before then, I ran plenty of long runs with it just taped. Good luck!

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  22. My mom loves epsom salt, she says it will do anything and everything. I can only recommend that you give it enough rest and that if you do end up running on Sunday that you listen to your body and the moment you need to stop you do. I know you are huge on doing Eugene and I'm sure you wouldn't want this to affect your chance of running it. Be careful! Best of luck!

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  23. I had a knee thing pop up the Sunday before a marathon last year. I ran the half instead and was in a lot of pain. bad idea.
    I had some foot pain not too long ago and my chiro actually fixed it. Call and ask what they suggest

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  24. I sure hope your foot feels good enough to run on Sunday. Have them tape it up at the expo if there is the KT Tape person there again. I'll be there running the half!

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  25. Jess, look and see if KT tape is at the expo. They'll tape you up for free and they offer discounts on rolls of tape. I swear by KT tape (Pro version). My hip pain goes from excruciating to tolerable.

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  26. What I did was ice my ankles and suck it up. If you don't pay attention to them, the pain usually goes away.
    http://www.footcentersofnc.com/doctors.html

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