Stepping lightly

I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. I didn’t know “it” exactly, but I knew it wasn’t what everyone kept saying it was. EVERYONE told me that I had plantar fasciitis. I kept saying NO. I’ve been around running and runners for a long time. I know the classic PF symptoms. Mine were close, but not the same.

But, I tried everything. I rolled with a tennis ball. I rolled with a can of frozen V8 juice. I rolled out my calve. I stretched. I didn’t stretch. I waited. The pain would subside for a few days, I could walk almost pain free, but within 15 running steps the pain was back BIG TIME.

So, it was with only modest expectations that I walked – limped – into The Running Institute to see the good Doctor Michael Chin. The staff at the Running Institute has worked with Jenny and Chicago Endurance Sports for years. Their reputation is fantastic. I was hopeful, but afraid that we’d just go down the path that I’d already been on.

WAS I WRONG. Dr. Chin listened. LISTENED as I went through the litany of treatments that I had tried and my frustration that nothing had helped. More importantly, he listened when I pulled out my motorcycle boot and offered MY theory on what was going on.

I had gone on a week-long motorcycle trip last April on a bike that I had never ridden long distance. I ride with my feet on the rear motorcycle footpegs and, on this particular bike, the footpegs were not only behind, but elevated. The resulting position, then, was toes bent, foot extended in a rigid boot, bouncing down the highway for hours at time. The foot hurt after the ride and after every other ride. And because I wasn’t smart enough to go see anyone, it just got worse.

After a thorough examination and an X-Ray, Dr. Chin confirmed his suspicion. His diagnoses? Cuboid Syndrome. I had actually dislocated the joint in my foot from RIDING the MOTORCYCLE, not from running. I KNEW IT.

Dr. Chin manipulated the foot and literally yanked the joint back into place. THEN, he called in Dr. Sarah Kelly and I had my first acupuncture treatment. It was FANTASTIC. I had needles sticking out of my leg and foot and I was smiling!

The relief was dramatic and immediate. The muscles, tendons, and soft tissue in the foot will still take time to recover but I am well on my way to being back on the road. I’ve got another week of staying off the foot and keeping in taped, but I have complete confidence that I’ll be walking and running again in a couple of weeks.

The lessons? Get help sooner. Go see someone who will listen. Don’t be macho and suffer. Don’t run/walk through pain. Don’t be an idiot.

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.