First of all, I don’t share my trials for sympathy or my accomplishments for praise.  I share as part of a community that helps one another.  Certainly if I were to read something like what I’m about to tell you all, I’d keep it in mind if I were to get hurt after a race.

There isn’t a ton of information online because only 2% of people have what showed up on my xray today of my foot/ankle.  ‘Accessory Bones’, not one, or two, but three.  And that is just my right foot.  I’m sure I have it on the other side too, because this exact same thing has happened on the left.

After I ran the New Orleans marathon my left foot and ankle swelled for no reason (nothing happened).  They called it a sprain and wrapped it, told me to elevate, take anti-inflammatory and ice it.  This does not happen EVERY time I run, but it did happen this time again.   But now it was on the right side and I told myself (and others), no need to go to Dr, I have experience w this, you get a walking cast and [all the things I already mentioned].  Which is true, especially because it is on the right, so I cant drive for six wks w a hard cast.

It has been a few days and today I happened to be in town taking care of some other things, I had a bit to kill, so, I swung into urgent care for an xray – might as well, I have insurance.

This is where they tell me I have these bones in my foot and that although usually asymptomatic, if aggravated (by excessive activity for example) it can seem like a sprain (pain and swelling) and is treated the same way.

So this is new, I’ll see a specialist – maybe, in my spare time.  And we’ll see.  I’m not sure why this never showed up before or no one ever noticed or told me.  I guess my point is had I not gone for the xray today I wouldn’t know – I don’t know if it matters or I can do anything about it (I read it can be surgically removed but doubt I’ll do that when a week of rest and ice makes it all better) – but I’m glad I know.   The foot/ankle pain is what stopped me from finishing Sat/Sun, and maybe it will prevent me similar challenges in the future (as I wasn’t tired nor did I have pain anywhere else) but at least I do know had I pushed thru it I would be ok afterwards…

In other words, should I give up something I love because of something temporary?  Probably not.  Dont get me wrong, I’m always open to anything – I just wont be forced into something w out good reason.

They were wrong about rhabdo and every other thing they tested me for.  Maybe I was just stressed out and tired or maybe I had a random virus that mysteriously dosent show up in bloodwork.  I don’t know, but neither does anyone else, so unless someone can show me come concrete and tangible thing I can understand, I’m not changing my life drastically.

One Step at a Time.  Still processing.

ps I’m glad I had a friend with me today to see the xrays and hear the doctor explain it, or else I wouldnt believe it either.