It’s been a week since my foot started hurting and it hasn’t gotten any better.  I didn’t think it would affect my spirits like this but I’m totally bummed out.  I guess running really is important to me.  I just thought it was something that kept me healthy but it seems to be something that also keeps me sane.  I considered going to the gym to do something less painful but I haven’t been able to get myself out there.   I even took the day off to see the doctor and to stay off my feet to see if either would help.  Of course the doctor didn’t give me much hope.  He basically said to buy new running shoes, rest, and take ibuprofen.  I guess the only good news is that it’s not broken.  I got x-rays done this morning.  So, Brother, I probably won’t be joining you this Sunday on the course.  *sigh*  Stupid foot.

The bright spot indicates pain in the 2nd joint. My pain is under the 1st  metatarsophalangeal joint.

I developed a dull arthritic-type ache in the ball of my left foot just under the big toe joint earlier this week.  This weekend it got worse. I tried to run on it this morning and ended up having to turn around after going down the street. I’m able to walk on it but it’s quite painful. So, I started hobbling around like an old lady but now it’s giving me ankle pain because of the way I’m compensating. *sigh* This totally blows. I’ve been training for a half marathon and I’m supposed to run a 5K next weekend.

I looked up the symptoms and I think I’ve figured it out. I have metatarsalgia, which basically means “ball of the foot (metatarsa-) pain (-algia)”.  It looks like it’s caused by all the running I’ve been doing.  Running is a high-impact sport and the big toe usually bears most of the weight and also does the “push-off” phase of my run.  Great…just what I needed. This better be temporary cuz I’ve got a half marathon scheduled on Labor Day!  So, we’ll see if resting this week will do it any good. I’m crossing my fingers.