Them's The Breaks

I haven't been around these parts in awhile, and my return today doesn't come with good news.  To make up for all that, here's a cute picture of my cat (related: I got a cat.  It's been a weird couple of months for me, just go with it).

So, part of the lack of blogging stems from a lack of running (spoke a little too soon on that "I'm not still sad and unmotivated!" post...).  But obviously, with a 39.3 mile race approaching, I realized about 2 weeks ago that I'd best get my ass in gear and log some long runs.  Twice-weekly SoulCycle is great and all, but 45 minute spin classes weren't doing a whole lot for my running endurance.  

So, with the company of some lovely gals, I knocked out a 20+ miler.  And then the very next day, on legs that should not have been as tired and sore as they were considering how close I was to a 39 mile race, I did another 11 miles.

And then the following weekend, I did another 20+ miles.  This time, faster, and feeling stronger.

And in the grand tradition of long runs, I came home, showered, put on compression socks, and ate a sandwich.  And it was glorious.

Until it wasn't.  I went about my business that afternoon and evening, drinking and eating like someone who ran 20 miles and gives precisely zero fucks about calories, and had a lovely time.  Until it came time to leave, at which point I raised myself from the couch and was in significant pain, not in my tight calves, but in my right foot.  It was a struggle to walk one block to hail a cab.

After 5 days off from running and no real improvement, I bit the bullet this morning and headed to Dr. Jordan Metzl at the Hospital For Special Surgery and Place Where Hot, Talented Athlete-Doctors Are Employed.  That might not be the facility's actual name.  In any case, Dr. Metzl poked me a lot, sent me for x-rays, and told me he'd be writing me a prescription for a pedicure because "what is this shit?" (Actual quote from a licensed medical professional).  Then he gave me the bad news: I ran myself right into a stress fracture.

Oh hey.  You're dreamy. Also, you sent me to a store that displays your book prominently.
Coincidence?

Shocking, right (read: not at all shocking)? I quickly upped volume and intensity, and wouldn't you know it, my foot was not that psyched about it.  My stress fracture is on the third metatarsal - the middle finger of the foot - effectively flipping me off for being so careless (and lazy...).  The good news is, it doesn't seem to be particularly severe or to have progressed significantly; pain only began on Saturday afternoon, and the good doctor said things like "developing stress fracture" and not "AMPUTATE IMMEDIATELY."  According to him, my Ireland ultra plans might not be a wash.  I'm to take a fuckton (not an actual dosage amount) of Advil, cross train, increase my calcium intake, and do no running for the next week.  Next week, I'll go back to Dr. Metzl for follow up.  If the injury has not progressed, I can "use my judgement" and "run the ultra."

BUT.

If I get to the starting line, I'm to do so having already come to terms with a DNF.  Because the moment my foot starts to hurt, I'm to drop out.  Here is how that conversation happened:

Claire: So worst case scenario?

Dr. Metzl: Your foot shatters.

Well, that pretty much sums that up.  Thanks.  Considering I very much do not want for that to happen, I'm saying here and now: I'm okay if I DNF next weekend.

Dr. Metzl also sent me off to get orthodics for my sneakers, to take some of the pressure off my injured bone.  This is the brand he recommended:

Don't those people look like athletes you'd like to emulate?...

My foot actually hurts quite a bit right now, but that's probably due to the fact that a doctor poked at it all morning and then my cab downtown from the hospital didn't want to drive across 42nd Street so I had to sprint 4 blocks in boots to get to my office.  Anyway, now you know where things stand.  A stress fracture isn't exactly a great diagnosis to receive 1 week before a transatlantic flight to a 39.3 mile race, but considering the prognosis, it's not the worst either.  It's not like I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance and have to swear off beer.

Any foot stress fracture sufferers out there?  Anything else I can/should be doing or asking my doctor about?

P.S. Sorry for real about not blogging.  I haven't had a lot of interesting running/beer shit to say lately, and the internet is already at capacity for uselessness.  Consider it a public service.

Food (or, Booze and Shoes) for Thought

Two articles from the Times this week worth sharing:  

Barefoot Running Can Cause Injuries Too.  The Times summarizes a study which indicated that while barefoot running may alleviate some of the injuries traditionally associated with running, it can also increase the incidence of foot injuries.  My podiatrist agrees.  You already know this, but I can't recommend the Saucony Kinvara enough as a minimal shoe.

Craft Beer's Larger Aspirations Cause a Stir.  Breweries are increasingly bottling in 22oz bottles, which makes beer seem more like wine - a drink to be shared and savored.  While I'm all for increasing the number of people who appreciate good beer, as someone who lives alone, I agree with the complaints that 22oz of a  high gravity beer is too much to finish solo on a work night (not that it stopped me last night.  Polished off a Coronado's Islander IPA).  It also makes waking up to run before work the next day more difficult (it did, in fact, stop me this morning...).

Happy reading (and running and drinking!)

F*%k That Friday: On Being Back

Oh hey.  Been awhile, eh?  I trust you're well.  We'll cover the bulk of what the hell I've been doing for the last 2+ weeks (spoiler alert: no one cares) at a later point, but right now, let's hop right into the latest installment of F*%k That Friday, as the topic is front of mind. 

I'm not still in that place.  F*%k that.

Being back from Breckenridge is totally lame.  Heading back to work on a Friday isn't terrible, however.  And being back (hopefully) from the brink of a pre-emptive midlife crisis is pretty sweet.  And with that, I'll get back to blogging.