So it is now 4 weeks since the "shot".
I saw a running specialist on Friday as I have managed to creep up to 5 miles with no dramas.
Stability is an issue as I have been "off games" for 6 months.
Good news is that Athens Marathon (No 10) is ON like Donkey Kong.
Here's the rub: No more than 3 runs a week for the next few months!
Will keep you posted on my ascension to 10 k and beyond.
Suffice to say that I am made up BIG TIME.
Sunday, 19 April 2015
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Taking The Shot: A Marathon Runner's Perspective on Whether a Cortisone Shot will Heal Plantar Fasciitis ?
So folks..6 months on from Loch Ness and my situation has remained miserable.
Continued to try "natural" healing
Having taken 3 months off running and subjecting myself to a regimen of weekly hurt care of my friendly osteopath I have finally taken the plunge. Over this time period I have had my pelvis realigned and alignments and muscles brought back to their (mildly flexible) former glory.
After being given the all clear to run on grass I enthusiastically went out and after 2 tough miles going round and round in circles I stopped, stretched and crossed my fingers.
As feared the pain returned...I was very upset. Was there ever going to be a path back and would there be the opportunity to run my 10th (and final?) marathon in Athens this coming November?
No other option than to hit the meds..
Yesterday I went to the specialist and had a cortisone shot.
Many folks said "go do it" but medical professionals warned against the potential side effects.
So what is it like?
Day 1: Got out of bed and the whole area was very sore. On the Nurofen and hobbling about. Must do stretching exercises and ice the underside of my foot nightly. I have a 13 hour flight today so no harm of overdoing things.
Day 2: Arrived in Shanghai. After the flight I could hardly walk - excruciatingly painful at every step. Managed to walk/hobble for a few miles. Gritted my teeth and carried on. By end of day was in a whole heap of pain.
Day 3: Was asked whether I needed a wheelchair when I arrived at reception but as the day went on things started to get a little better. Starting to stretch but goodness me it hurts...so tight.
Days 4-6: Steady improvements but still not markedly better.
Day 7: At last things seem to be getting a bit better..no better than before the shot but at least getting to be more comfortable.
Day 8-9: Whoah! Something must have clicked or maybe it was the 13 hour flight not moving but for the first time in 6 months I am not hurting...my walking style is starting to revert to "normal".
Day 10: Genuine improvement - like never before. I am starting to get nervous as I am sure the osteopath will scold me when I see him tomorrow - but gotta come clean.
Day 11: Judgement Day #1: OK so came clean and he understood. Gotta do more stretching but otherwise I should be OK.
Day 12: It has begun - Ran 2 x 2 miles to check things out. Honestly achilles hurt when I had orthotics in - so ditched them running in softer insoles. Result = no pain.
Day 13: Tried a 2.5 mile run...still stiff and worried afterwards but felt - OK.
Day 14: Back to conventional cross training...feels like things are improving steadily.
Day 15/16: Cycling around Amsterdam - foot feels great.No pain at all. Tomorrow here we go!
Day 17: Ran 5k around Amsterdam - felt awesome.
Day 18: Day after 5k = no pain.
Day 19: Check-up today...we will see. AND......huzzah! Given the all clear but urged to go slowly. To celebrate did ANOTHER 5k!
So for me (and remember effects depend on the individual), I would give cortisone shot the thumbs up...just be patient and try all other "natural" methods first...oh and take it SLOOOOOW.
Next stop Marathon No 10 in November (see what I said about taking it slow).
Hasta la vista!
Continued to try "natural" healing
Having taken 3 months off running and subjecting myself to a regimen of weekly hurt care of my friendly osteopath I have finally taken the plunge. Over this time period I have had my pelvis realigned and alignments and muscles brought back to their (mildly flexible) former glory.
After being given the all clear to run on grass I enthusiastically went out and after 2 tough miles going round and round in circles I stopped, stretched and crossed my fingers.
As feared the pain returned...I was very upset. Was there ever going to be a path back and would there be the opportunity to run my 10th (and final?) marathon in Athens this coming November?
No other option than to hit the meds..
Yesterday I went to the specialist and had a cortisone shot.
Many folks said "go do it" but medical professionals warned against the potential side effects.
So what is it like?
- So no BS here - It hurts. An injection with a rather large needle into the side of your foot/heel.
- An initial "scratch) followed by a prolonged (10-15 seconds) of pain as the fluid goes into and across your entire PF..
- Immediately I felt like I was walking on jelly as the fluid is a mixture of cortisone and a local anaesthetic.
- Late last night (about 4-5 hours afterwards), things started to hurt as the meds wore off and I started on the Nurofen.
Day 1: Got out of bed and the whole area was very sore. On the Nurofen and hobbling about. Must do stretching exercises and ice the underside of my foot nightly. I have a 13 hour flight today so no harm of overdoing things.
Day 2: Arrived in Shanghai. After the flight I could hardly walk - excruciatingly painful at every step. Managed to walk/hobble for a few miles. Gritted my teeth and carried on. By end of day was in a whole heap of pain.
Day 3: Was asked whether I needed a wheelchair when I arrived at reception but as the day went on things started to get a little better. Starting to stretch but goodness me it hurts...so tight.
Days 4-6: Steady improvements but still not markedly better.
Day 7: At last things seem to be getting a bit better..no better than before the shot but at least getting to be more comfortable.
Day 8-9: Whoah! Something must have clicked or maybe it was the 13 hour flight not moving but for the first time in 6 months I am not hurting...my walking style is starting to revert to "normal".
Day 10: Genuine improvement - like never before. I am starting to get nervous as I am sure the osteopath will scold me when I see him tomorrow - but gotta come clean.
Day 11: Judgement Day #1: OK so came clean and he understood. Gotta do more stretching but otherwise I should be OK.
Day 12: It has begun - Ran 2 x 2 miles to check things out. Honestly achilles hurt when I had orthotics in - so ditched them running in softer insoles. Result = no pain.
Day 13: Tried a 2.5 mile run...still stiff and worried afterwards but felt - OK.
Day 14: Back to conventional cross training...feels like things are improving steadily.
Day 15/16: Cycling around Amsterdam - foot feels great.No pain at all. Tomorrow here we go!
Day 17: Ran 5k around Amsterdam - felt awesome.
Day 18: Day after 5k = no pain.
Day 19: Check-up today...we will see. AND......huzzah! Given the all clear but urged to go slowly. To celebrate did ANOTHER 5k!
So for me (and remember effects depend on the individual), I would give cortisone shot the thumbs up...just be patient and try all other "natural" methods first...oh and take it SLOOOOOW.
Next stop Marathon No 10 in November (see what I said about taking it slow).
Hasta la vista!
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