Taking it slow and trying not to be anxious

Well, I'm anxious to get back into my previous shape and train for a race.. any race. Many of my goal races are on the calendar, but not my schedule.... sadness. I must be patient and be healthy so it doesn't come back to bite me. This is long winded to catch you up.

I ran my first (and only so far) marathon in January to BQ. After that, my next goal was a 5K in June. No rush... but training continued pretty strong. Usually I have 2 weeks off in the summer and at the end of the year, but this time I only got a one week break. I was very dehydrated during my marathon (long story but I took 2 Imodium instead of 1 pre-race and we think that was the cause). My body never had time to recover. I kept saying I couldn't get my legs under me, I was tired all the time, something was wrong. I took Iron, I took B-12, I changed my diet, I went to the doctor, I had blood work. Yes, I was anemic.. but that was not the cause, only one of the symptoms. The bunion on my left foot started to grow and I sucked up the pain as it started as sesamoid. That is the bone I broke in my right foot in college, so I was afraid when I stopped, I would never run again. Then my lower left leg hurt, I couldn't run without a serious limp, but no one stopped me. Finally, I stopped myself. I went to the doctor and found it was a bunion and not my sesamoid. I saw my sports chiropractor that said I can't do anything that hurts but OK with no pain. I backed off.. I did boot camp and skipped the running, took pain medication and treatment regularly. I was diagnosed with overuse. Both doctors said I could run a race as an easy run (I had already paid and really wanted the technical shirt - so walking it was acceptable, just must cross the finish to wear). I was improving and swelling was down. I ran the first couple miles around 8:30 - 9, then powered up a hill to get it over with and no pain.. I picked it up some and ended up placing. NOT my intent and a lot of fun. About 5 minutes later, my leg started to swell. I pulled out the ice pack I brought with me and waited for awards drinking a beer and icing my leg. I didn't run again for 4 months. This wasn't enough of a break.

I did water running, swimming (got a swim coach to learn the form), I cycled on my mountain bike. I then bought a friend's road bike when he was upgrading - boy, that is fun and easy. I rode the Hotter'N Hell Hundred (I did the 100K, that was only my 3rd ride and 6th day on the bike). Every so often, I put in a mile or two and would have pain.

So finally I'm able to run with very minimal pain. My left knee has been bothering me. But now my bunion is INSANE, so I need to see the podiatrist again for another cortisone shot.

Last weekend I entered the 1 mile of a 5K I had planned to race. I was 2nd.. you can't beat the little kid winning in a FUN RUN.. 6:54.. I could have gone 6:45.. so it looks like I'm not as bad as I had thought! This was very exciting for me. A couple days later, I went for another run, I did a 6 mile workout with one of the guys I coach. I felt great, but my legs got a bit tired in the last mile or so. This was great too.. except the darn bunion and knee. Time to see the doc, even though I know all he wants to do is sell me some $400 orthotics that I would rip out of my shoes after two weeks. Until then, I'm keeping it easy and cycling to help move my body.

I'm getting there.. slowly but surely. My doc said there wasn't a time duration on my injury - just "one day you will go for a run and it won't hurt". Please let that day be soon!! :)