Stepping Back

When I was first asked about writing this Blog, my only requirement was that I be able to be honest. I didn’t want to have to come up with weekly a homage to the joy of running or to the constant benefit of living a healthy active lifestyle. I wanted to be able to tell the truth about myself, about my life, and about my running. I am pleased to say that I have been able to do just that.

Those of you who regularly read the blog or follow me on Facebook know that this has been probably the most difficult and frustrating year that I’ve ever had as a runner. It started in January when I threw out my back. After months of doctor’s visit, X-Rays, MRI’s, Chiropractic adjustments and two rounds of injections I finally seemed to have a handle on my sticky Sacroiliac Joint. I had been able to do some walking, but I added running back into my training.

Sometime around late April or May I began to have some nagging pain in my right foot. I haven’t had foot problems, so I wrote it off to new shoes, too much running, or – even for me – maybe trying to go faster than I should. In other words, I ignored the pain.

Pain, as many of you know, doesn’t like to be ignored. If you don’t pay attention, the pain will increase until you have to pay attention. This is the point where stubborn people like me start to negotiate with the pain. It didn’t hurt much to walk, and it only hurt a little to run, so I walked more, ran less, and was still in pain.

By late July I was doing the “Dance with the Devil.” I had self diagnosed the problem as Plantar Fasciitis. The pain was always there so I began to mask it. By early August I was wrapping the foot and rolling it out. By early September I was hobbling around and by today I am limping all the time.

So today, after months of being a complete idiot, I am going to The Running Institute in Chicago to find out what’s really wrong and – what to do.

I’m not happy about it. I’m embarrassed that I waited this long to see a specialist. But I’m committed to getting back on my feet.

Waddle on,John

John “the Penguin” Bingham, Competitor Magazine columnist Author, The Courage to Start, No Need for Speed, Marathoning for Mortals and Running for Mortals.

Have a question for John? E-mail it to thepenguin@johnbingham.com.