Friday, November 22, 2013

Post-Meeting Recap and Updates

Update on the Evil Girl Incident: This past Wednesday morning was the meeting with the two of us, our professor, and my academic advisor (who I met with last Friday about the whole thing). Essentially, Evil Girl made a fool of herself, talked herself into a corner, and demonstrated to our professor that she HAS ISSUES. In class afterwards, she refused to look at or speak to me, which pretty much exemplified maturity and grace and manners. Professor A e-mailed me afterwards asking me to stop by and chat, which I did, and she basically told me (in not these exact words) that some people suck, I'm doing fine, and to just let the shitstorm roll off my back. Which I am proud to say that I am doing just fine.

I mentioned in my last post that I was running too much and starting to feel the effects of overdoing it without enough rest. After taking several days off, I went for another run this morning; although I wasn't feeling as dead energy-wise, I'm still having problems with my feet - they're pretty sore along my arches and on the top inside. Anyone know what that is? And please don't tell me it's serious and that I need to take more time off, okay? Just let me know it's gonna be fine by about 7:30 tomorrow morning, if that works for you. THANKS GUYS

Earlier today, I had an appointment with this awesome doctor. I last saw him about a year ago when I was still in a lot of pain and REALLY struggling. This time, I just went as kind of a check-up—I haven't really had anyone local, since Dr. A is back in Home City several states away and the other doctors I've seen for pain here majorly suck. Just as I remembered, Dr. Awesome was funny and sweet and gave me a huge boost of optimism. Can't even tell you how nice it is to have an uncomplicated, stress-free doctor's appointment.

In upcoming news: I am totally excited to head home for Thanksgiving. Earlier in the semester I was thinking about just staying here in College City (since I was home for a weekend in October), but my mom was not having that. And now that it's here, I'm glad to be going back again. I am way overdue for some home-cooked food.

7 comments:

  1. Glad to hear that the meeting with Evil Girl went well for you. Not so much for her, but it sounds like you really handled the situation with dignity, respect, maturity, and grace. Good for you!

    Great that the doctor appointment went so well! After all the crappy doctor's appointments you've had over the years, it seems like karma is finally paying you back with nice visits!

    I think it's wise to re-evaluate some of the running/mileage. Good for you for noticing that it's become a problem, and not just pushing forward anyway. My thoughts would be that your plantar tendon might need to be stretched out, and you may need better arch supports in your running shoes and everyday shoes. To stretch the plantar tendon, I like to just roll mine over a tennis ball or something that would have a similar size and firmness. Good luck, and I hope your feet feel better soon!

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    1. I never would have thought to use a tennis ball! I stretch my calves a lot since having achilles problems last year, but haven't found a good way to do my feet. Thanks!!

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  2. Pain along your arches is a big sign of plantar fasciatis--which is what has had me grounded from running all semester, basically because I ignored early signs of it over the summer. I have heard that a golf ball actually works better than a tennis ball. Also, calf tightness somehow affects your plantars, so make sure you're stretching/foam-rolling those. Also, arch supports for walking make a big difference; they make special ones for people with plantar issues.

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    1. ugh I was afraid of that...I'm not always consistent about the Injury Prevention 101 stuff (icing, stretching, rest, etc) but you've convinced me to step it up. I have orthotics in my shoes that I got custom made years ago when I was running a ton for xc in high school bc I have flat feet and was having hip issues back then, but maybe it's time to update those(?) thanks for the tips Cammy. How are your feet doing now? Hope things are going well

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  3. Definitely worth updating your footwear! Bodies change and after my year long break from running (+surgery that basically rewired my L leg, true) I have a totally different stride. The whole ounce of prevention thing... In the interim-- things I <3 to keep running: http://www.tptherapy.com/The-GRID-Foam-Roller.html Same idea as foam roller, but awesome for hip, ITB, back, basically everything pain. This thing, just don't try to fly with it-- https://thestick.com/info/contact/how-it-works/how-i-manage-plantar-fasciitis/ (unless you have some serious get outta trouble free sweet-faced-ness to work magic with TSA...). And finally these guys, if you get can stomach the 110% name (mathematical impossibilities as cutesy monikers bother me) these are REALLY fantastic. Compression while you run, stash the ice in after= pain relief AND inflammation prevention. Waaaay better than an ice bath. And better than ice massage too, because you're mobile and don't end up dripping wet!

    Plus having good shoes for when you're not running is impt if you're on your feet a lot, which, given your schedule, seems likely. I am a dansko junkie, and basically live in variations of their mary janes, which occasionally go on sale for only slightly absurdly high prices: http://www.6pm.com/dansko-tacey-ebony-pull-up (To be fair, I work in a setting where having closed toed, easily wiped-off-able shoes is a must, I'm on my feet all day and I've only added to my collection bc of cuteness/sales-- none of mine in the past five years have actually worn out)

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    1. THANK YOU! And yes to the ounce of prevention; and you would think that after 12 years of running and more injuries than I can count that I'd be better about that. I think having good non-running shoes might be key - I bop around all day long in 3-year-old Sperrys that have pretty much no support left, so it might be time for an upgrade.

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  4. Haha yeah, replace those! Or ask for really nice ones for christmas! I was iffy about spending so much for non-running shoes, but then a runner friend was like duh you spend WAY more hours in those shoes than your running shoes, why wouldn't you have supportive nice shoes?

    Oh.... that.

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