Looking for a Silver Lining

I'm trying, guys. This week challenged me more than I've been challenged in some time. Problems at work, the ongoing saga with my parents, wedding planning,...you name it...I felt like I couldn't get my head above water. Sometimes life is like this, and we all need to have a way to deal with it. Mine is running. And right now, I can't run because I'm injured. 

There may have been some tears shed this week--not because I'm hurt, but because I can't run it out. I have a lot of backup tools that I can lean on for cross-training, but when I'm stressed, there's only one thing that works. Running is the one thing that lets me push myself as hard as I can, pound it out on the pavement, and just let it all go. It's been a long time since I've felt so stressed as in the recent weeks--even my Oura ring is concerned--and I haven't had to rely on running as much as in the past. 

So what's an injured runner to do when she can't run? I'm leaning into nature and my trails, which helps a lot. I'm going to do my best to try to maintain fitness, like I did when I broke my leg and my foot. The PT at the gym taped my knee for tendonitis, but she suggested that I might have a meniscus tear. I hope not. I see my rheumatologist for my semi-annual appointment on Monday, so I'll see what she says. I'm also going to schedule with a knee ortho, who I already know is going to recommend PT. I'm a good patient, and I'll do what I need to get back to running. 

In the meantime, I'm looking for that silver lining.

On the Road Again

No, not that road. I'm still sidelined from running, nursing my sore foot. But as you read this, I'm in Alabama with Holly, spending a lot of time on the water. It's always great to reunite and we always seem to pick back up as if we just saw each other yesterday!

I hate to admit this, but since Leadville, I've struggled to bounce back. Besides feeling fatigued, on Monday I woke up with severe pain on one side of the base of my head. I'm not sure if it was due to my sleep position or the virus I've been fighting, but the pain made me feel queasy. I took ibuprofen and used a heating pad and by the end of the day, it was down to a dull roar. I still had residual neck stiffness on Tuesday. So for the second time this week, I bailed on CrossFit and took to my yoga mat.  

I'm also concerned about my left foot, which was bothering me prior to my race. I knew that I would pay a price for running on it. My second toe is stiff and swollen and my third toe won't bend unless I do it manually. There is pain in the ball of my foot. My differential diagnoses: stress fracture vs neuroma. Hopefully, I'm wrong with both. I had my annual joint ultrasound at my rheumatologist's and all she could tell me is that there is no inflammation in the joint. Seriously not helpful, so I made an appointment with the foot ortho for next week. 

Meanwhile, there is still no running. I think I poked the bear enough and I'll wait to see what I'm dealing with. It's a good thing there are a lot of other things to keep me active!