The extra bone

In June, I had an accident. It was a stupid accident and it's all my fault. I'm ashamed to admit what happened, but suffice it to say my foot has not been the same since. I woke up the Sunday following the accident and I knew something was wrong. Before I set about rectifying the other disasters of the previous evening (which included an unexplained sum of $15 in my pocket, a lesbian on the walk of shame — from Virgina, and a missing cat), I had time enough to tweet one thing:

Why does my foot hurt??

It was seven weeks before I decided to get a good answer to that question. What seemed like a simple sprained ankle had indeed improved, but a pain lingered. Since I was a month or so away from having to train for my next marathon, I sought help. Following my appointment, I had found myself having to accommodate the new passenger on my leg:

Ah, the seven weeks I spent in the boot (which was only supposed to be three, but whatever). The outpouring of pity.. Fighting old ladies for the handicap seats. Catching the bus ... so happy those days are over.

You see, what I have been subjected to wasn't entirely my own (drunken) fault. For some crazy reason, a bone in my foot called my navicular bone actually comes in two parts instead of the standard-issue one. A bit of gristle — my doctor's words, not mine — is all that keeps this bone in a proper, nonpainful place in my foot. When I injured my foot, I really messed up this fine equilibrium and the pain I have constantly felt since has been an indication that the natural workings of my foot are in disrepair.

But I have recovered a great deal. Since October or so, after a few weeks of physical therapy, I have been walking in two shoes again. I've taken to the streets again on my bike, which fortunately has been unencumbered by my injury. In November, I started running again. I had to back out of what would have been my sixth marathon though. That hurt.

My doctor tells me jokingly that I'll never run a marathon again. I don't believe him. He says it's possible I'll hit a wall when I resume my long runs. Facing this, my only option will be accepting this limitation or attempting surgery to remove the extra bone. My physical therapist was more optimistic. She told me that, in time, my foot would heal completely. The fact that it's an injury connected to the bone and tendon that is responsible for my body's balance explains why I've had to endure such a long recovery. It's hard for a spot to heal if you're using it every day just to stand up straight.

Well, it's been over six months now and I'm running about as fast as I was after my last marathon. I try to run at least five days a week, at least 4 miles a day. In the last couple weeks there has been very little pain. Only a mild discomfort or dull pain that usually fades after a mile or two.

This spring, I'm going to try a long run. Maybe 12 or 16 miles. I want to know if this is really going to limit me and I'll need the surgery. I would do it if it meant I could run again as I have for the past decade.

It's hard to imagine living a real life without the thrill I get from running. There's so much left to accomplish for me there. It's the best part of my day, stepping off the treadmill at work after finishing a good four-and-a-half mile run. I look forward to the day that, God willing, I can do this without the hint of pain in my step.