When I was running leg five of the Sinister 7, I felt something poking into the front of my toe. I assumed it was a pebble, or possibly a toenail had fallen off and was now jabbing me. When It migrated to the bottom of my foot, I was sure it was a toenail. I took off my shoe, and socks and tried to find it and get it out. I don’t recall finding anything. But it was the middle of the night.
Today, after I had finally cleaned my shoes, I discovered a huge nail in my shoe. Iron, and spiky, and jabbing into the bottom of my foot. I’m surprised I didn’t see it before and was able to continue along.
It ruined the goretex socks I had been wearing.
Of course it happened on my left side. Everything bad happens on my left side.
I talked to my physician at River Valley Health. In theory, she is my chiropractor, but she does active release stretching for my joints. In actuality, I use her as my running coach. I go to her for advice about running, eating, and shoes, while she puts weird pains throughout my body. I suppose this is like a bartender; in theory he is there to serve drinks, but he also dispenses advice.
In any case, she thinks I should be able to do the Death Race. The small toe isn’t that critical. And runners heal quickly. I will need to eat healthier for awhile. And I need to get more vitamin D.
I’m not going to question advice that mimics what I want to hear.
Finally, I posted a comic on my Facebook from theoatmeal.com about running. Several friends now say they understand me. This comic has been a better communicator that I’ve been.