Let’s just get this out of the way and rip the bandaid off, ok?
It’s very likely I won’t be running the Philadelphia Marathon.
After a week off my feet, I tentatively took a test run on Saturday. My shins held up pretty well, but I had taped a piece of Moleskin around the inside of my arch and over my healing blister. A couple of miles in, I started to feel that annoying stab of chafing hell and when I gingerly peeled off my socks at home, my foot looked like this:
I'm Rotting!
That bright pink stuff? I believe that’s what doctors refer to as RAW FRIGGIN’ FLESH. My (extremely scientific) hypothesis behind this mysterious blistering is that when I hurt the top of my foot (one of the metatarsals) on my last 21 miler, it caused me to change my gait a bit to avoid pressure on that particular spot, and now my left foot is landing a bit different and thus, chafing where it never has before.
Nothing’s broken or anything – the metatarsal is healing, albeit very very slowly, and I’m not sure it will be completely gone in time for me to be in sufficient shape for the marathon. I was eyeing a spring marathon anyway, so I may just make Flying Pig or a similarly timed race my debut, and now I have an even more solid base to build on, not to mention the confidence of knowing I’ve already successfully toughed it out through several 20 milers. I bought a monthly membership to my local community gym and elliptical-ed my ass off tonight to keep up my fitness. Disappointing? Sure, but as Mike reminded me the other day, running’s a long-term thing. Not running this marathon does not mean I’m not a runner. Not running for a few weeks does not mean I’m not a runner. Or, as Pink puts it slightly more directly and confidently:
SO WHAT?
I’M STILL A ROCK STAR!
* * *
Of course, this does not mean I won’t be going to Philly. First of all, I’ve already booked my plane tickets, and second, I’ve been drooling over Capogiro’s ever since I read Serious Eats’ Guide to Philadelphia and they adamantly proclaimed that anyone who goes to Philly and does not sample Capogiro’s gelato loses their foodie card forever. THE HORROR!!! Not running the marathon just means I have 4 extra hours to eat gelato. Unlike my foot, my jaw is still in perfect shape, so I’ve been practicing for the eating marathon.
Bulgolgi - Marinated Beef
Sunday Night Roast Chicken
With Potatoes and Green Beans
GAH! I’ve had similar raw blisters but mine were due to some really bad cute-but-painful high heel choices.
I’m sorry the Philly mary is no longer in your plans but that just means you get to find a much COOLER marathon to make your supa star debut.
Oh, Kai, I am SO sorry your marathon plans seem to be going down the drain. I’ve been thinking of you the past couple of weeks. You have SUCH a great attitude, though! Enjoy eating your way through Philly, take care of those feet, and rock your spring marathon!
Oh no kai, that looks very painful! I hope you can still run your marathon but if not, you are still a runner! Sending you speedy healing vibes and no more nasty blisters. What did you end up doing with your shoe issue?
Wow sorry to hear that Kai. Very tough pill to swallow I know. Props on your positive attitude though, takes a big person to be able to do that. After sufferring through my half, I am also nursing a similar blister in my left arch. I think I’ve seen raw entree’s on your blog that resemble what I have going on, haha. Misery loves company so, I’m right there with ya.
*rubs eyes* Oh Kai, you mentioned that, but seeing it is completely different! It’s painful to look at, but I keep looking at it! Ugh! I’m glad you realize you’re still a runner though
Thanks guys! As Fiance said…it’s not like marathons are hard to come by. ;D
Lyns – after my blister heals and my foot gets better, I plan on doing a trial run in my old shoes to see if the same thing happens. If not, I’ll take my new Sauconys back to the LSR for a switcheroo.
Sorry about the setbacks but wow, great attitude to move forward with! You’re being smart helping your body be set up for running for the long haul!
Argh! I’m sorry. That’s disappointing. But I think you need to bottle up your “lemonade from lemons” attitude and sell it to runners everywhere.
Also, you could probably help out overeaters everywhere by posting a that foot picture before every single one of your food posts…
Ouch! Sorry to hear about the Marathon, unfortunately I know how it feels (I pulled out of Chicago this year) Enjoy Philadephia anyway.
I have to remind myself not to read your blog when I’m already hungry . . .
Tough break. You certainly wouldn’t be the first to retreat from a debut marathon. I was registered for Houston ’07 and dropped myself to the half course because my training was simply sucking that bad. I’m still looking forward to the foodie report (and the pics I’m sure) from Philly.
Oh boy, that blister looks pretty bad. I am sorry it has restructured your plans. Keep up with your positive thinking and eat those yummy things also for me
Many times, looking at your food pics, I am wondering if you could send me some recipes as well… so, could you??
You can always try duct tape. I had a couple of blisters once and put moleskin on them. The moleskin just slipped and made the blisters worse. I then tried a fairly large piece of duct tape, covering the blister and wrapping it halfway around my foot. It worked like a charm.
Who knows…maybe the next marathon will have an even better t-shirt and swag than the one in Philly! I love reading your blog and usually gain weight just looking at the pictures! Hope you feel better good!!!
GIRL! My neighborhood Culver’s finally opened on Monday and guess what I did? I ordered my first ever pumpkin pie milkshake from there and OMFG! It was sooooo dee-lish! I’m sorta mad at you though because I looked up the nutrional info and umm…it’s not good for you at all. But I’ve had one a day since Thursday because they are SOOOO GOOD!