Today officially marks day 14 since my last run. My first transition attempt into minimalist footwear (Newton) was going so great until about 6 weeks in when I started noticing top-of-foot-pain. I ran through it until I researched that I needed to rest. I rested for about 2 weeks by changing sports to bicycling. I returned to shod running for the first few runs to ensure I was fully healed. I was doing about 5 pain-free miles after a few short test runs.
I later bought a pair of Vibram's and, although I thought I was going slow, I wasn't going slow enough. I got caught up in the moment of efficient and fast back to back days of running and the pain returned. Luckily I began my interest into barefoot running and had started reading Barefoot Running. This prompted me for the first time to listen to my body and stop running immediately.
I'm starting to get impatient and want to run again, but don't want to hinder my recovery. I've been icing daily and recently started taking Ibuprofin for inflammation as well. I have been walking the dog daily in the morning and in the evening barefoot on hard concrete. I am unsure whether this is slowing my healing progress. It seems this is a catch 22 as I understand walking barefoot reduces inflammation; However, this may also put continued stress on my extensor tendons. I tried this with and without shoes and it seems more comfortable barefoot.
My latest revelation was stretching my calves as this is the opposing muscle connected to the tendons on my upper foot. I am also using a heat pad on my calf muscles to loosen them up. Everything I find online says 7-10 days for recovery, but I am still working through a nagging injury. Its barely noticible at this point, but I promised myself I would fully recovery before beginning my completely barefoot journey.
Any suggestions?
Jake
I later bought a pair of Vibram's and, although I thought I was going slow, I wasn't going slow enough. I got caught up in the moment of efficient and fast back to back days of running and the pain returned. Luckily I began my interest into barefoot running and had started reading Barefoot Running. This prompted me for the first time to listen to my body and stop running immediately.
I'm starting to get impatient and want to run again, but don't want to hinder my recovery. I've been icing daily and recently started taking Ibuprofin for inflammation as well. I have been walking the dog daily in the morning and in the evening barefoot on hard concrete. I am unsure whether this is slowing my healing progress. It seems this is a catch 22 as I understand walking barefoot reduces inflammation; However, this may also put continued stress on my extensor tendons. I tried this with and without shoes and it seems more comfortable barefoot.
My latest revelation was stretching my calves as this is the opposing muscle connected to the tendons on my upper foot. I am also using a heat pad on my calf muscles to loosen them up. Everything I find online says 7-10 days for recovery, but I am still working through a nagging injury. Its barely noticible at this point, but I promised myself I would fully recovery before beginning my completely barefoot journey.
Any suggestions?
Jake