The Hobbler

Brendan just informed me that he's going to run a 10k in two weeks. I'm proud of him. He's really been hitting the trails since we got back from our trip, not because he needs to lose any weight (he can be very gazelle-like, actually), but because it gives him something to do, and a goal to work toward.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to be his running partner. For a few days now I've been hobbling around on what I believe is Achilles tendonitis, and it hurts. Toward the end of our stint in Argentina, I jogged in my hiking shoes around our Buenos Aires neighborhood. You can get a lot of cheap things in South America, but not new Nikes. Now I know my North Faces weren't really designed for workouts, but they're really comfortable, and I didn't feel like I was doing any damage at the time.

My heels are telling me differently now. Since I've been back, the muted yet detectable pain in my feet has grown into full-fledged, throbbing jabs. At first it wasn't bad, and I ignored it. I ran anyway. Then it kinda sorta started hurting more, and I still ran. I've never had foot trouble before. I assumed I was just stiff, or out of practice, or old. Maybe I'm all of those things, but now I'm also injured. All I've learned online is that I shouldn't run until I feel better. At this rate, that could take a while.

So when Brendan runs his 10k, I'll have to remain in the cheering section. I feel bad that I can't participate, but maybe it's better this way. Crossing the finish line will be his personal achievement, and as I shower him with bottled water and praise upon completion, he'll probably feel pretty darn special.

-Sarah

Comments

Oh no! Sarah, I've had that and it is SO painful. At one point I actually offered to pay a coworker to refill my water bottle at the cooler down the hall -- that's how much it hurt to walk. I hope you feel better soon!