Big Toe versus Big Root

Big Toe versus Big Root
By BareFootBC


The Root wins pretty much every time.

It’s kinda comical (in a masochistic way)- cruising down a winding trail, leaping and bounding as required, a bit of mud here, some grass there, a section of hard pack, maybe some water crossings. Sorta in the zone, feeling at peace and connected with nature, maybe a few deer have been startled (much inspiration when they elegantly leap off into the bush), the elk lift their heads from grazing to stare at you as you ‘glide’ by, squirrels read you the riot act when you encroach on their terrain, all kinds of birds take wing when you approach...yeah, this is harmony.

Then Big Root crosses your path. Maybe you’re so in the zone that you’re not paying as much attention as you could. Maybe you’ve been blinded by the sun. Or maybe Big Root just kinda springs up at the last second. Whatever the cause...BANG!!! That sudden jarring sensation sends a shockwave of ‘oh s**t, that really sucks’ coursing from toe to brain as you’re going down. Arms outstretched you’re praying the hands encounter something soft (and hopefully not squishy and smelly). Maybe in your mind you’re thinking this would be a good time to attempt a Parkour inspired roll (good luck with that). Your glide has become a jarring crash landing. The first impulse is to spring up and look around- sigh of relief, nobody witnessed that. A quick look down- there’s no blood, no toes sticking out at funny angles, it’s all good (yüp, denial is your best friend in situations like this) so back to the run...okay, maybe it’s a bit of an inspired hobble/skip/pussyfooted type of forward mobility but in your mind it’s running. And the end of the trail is only another mile. Or two. Whatever.

Just. Don’t. Look. Down!! Remember, DENIAL is currently your best friend.

Until you’re home. Washing off your feet. Of course you wash off the painless one first. Still relishing that relationship with DENIAL. A heavy sigh. Then you start washing off The One That Brought You Down. At the heel. Which feels pretty good. As you’re working forward you experience some tenderness in the mid foot/arch section- hmmm, not so bad. Then the forefoot. Kinda ouches. Your friend DENIAL steers you towards your four smaller toes because all’s well, right? Right! Yup, pretty focused on those four toes for awhile. Interesting how you’ve been shielding Big Toe from your line of sight by hand placement and looking away.

Sigh. Can’t put it off any longer. You touch Big Toe and SUNOFABEECH does that hurt!! Screw the scrubbing it, COLD water NOW! Ahhh, that pleasant (lack of) sensation called numbness. During that microsecond of turning away from that really great friend DENIAL you took in the cut, scrapes, swelling, the interesting shades of purpled and reds...

Put on a heavy wool sock for awhile. My friend DENIAL and I are gonna hang out.

A few days later it’s not so bad. COLD water soaks. Massaging it. Most of the swelling and interesting purples and reds are gone. The scrapes and cut are almost gone. Able to trim off the broken bit of nail. Still a little tender.

Time for a run :)

And maybe bring an axe.

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Ouch! My profile pic was taken just after a long trail run where I ran afoul of a root, too. I didn't jam my toe on it but I hit the ball of the foot right behind the big toe. Swollen and bruised for a good week after that.

This story is a good reminder that there are now two reasons to stay way behind someone else if you're trail running with a friend: social distancing AND better visibility of roots and rocks!
 
Thanks bfsailer and Tedlet.

I went for a run yesterday (9 miles) and whilst tender and slower it was okish. There were a couple of jarring moments that really woke me up but otherwise okay. There was some swelling and soreness after but soaking in the river (spring runoff is nice now cold) just down the street for awhile reduced swelling and made for a pleasurable numbness.

Today’s rest day :)
 
Ouch! My profile pic was taken just after a long trail run where I ran afoul of a root, too. I didn't jam my toe on it but I hit the ball of the foot right behind the big toe. Swollen and bruised for a good week after that.

This story is a good reminder that there are now two reasons to stay way behind someone else if you're trail running with a friend: social distancing AND better visibility of roots and rocks!

Ball of foot strikes are something to avoid as well- ouch!

Another reason (and a sadistic one at that) to be behind is positioning to watch the show when someone goes down, I’d much rather observe than initiate that kind of manoeuvre.
 
Fun report! For us, not you. Ha!

Very well written. I've mirrored this to the home page.