What I didn't mention about my toe

Posted by Melissa Baumgart

It sure is nice when I can turn this off.

I went for a 33 minute run last night.  Yes, 33.  I was shooting for 30, but went a little farther, and I had to mention the extra 3 minutes.  Because, it is three minutes of running, which doesn't really come all that easy.  The crazy thing is, is that my toe doesn't really hurt when I run.  I don't know if it is the way my foot hits the ground differently during a running stride vs. a walking one or if there are other distractions when running (Like the ongoing mantra....You can do this.  You won't stop breathing and fall over.)  Whatever it is, it felt good.

Until I stopped running.

Then my toe felt like a balloon.  I was limping worse than ever.  Even worse than after I went dancing the two nights after I broke my toe...in 3 inch wedges.  I know, it's terrible.  And I didn't even admit to it before.  I was all, "Poor me and my toe.  I can't run.  I can't be active."  Meanwhile, I was out dancing at the club until 2am two nights in a row!  Look, I was planning those nights out and off-call (i.e. NO pager.  Yes, I actually use a pager, like it's the 1990's) for a month, and I wasn't going to let a broken middle toe stop me.  Somehow, it didn't hurt while dancing either.  Maybe the wedges acted as a brace?  Or maybe the drinks I had eased the pain?  Or maybe dancing is just so flipping fun that it didn't matter in the least.

This week's goal: run 30 minutes a day, Monday - Friday.  One day down, four to go!

How not to run on a broken toe

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
I went for a run today!

(Late post due to technical difficulties), this happened two days ago...those in Seattle will be able to tell as they look out to the gloomy weather and think, what gorgeous Seattle day is this?)

I know, I said I would go the other day.  But then I wore shoes all day, just to see how it would feel, and it was terrible!  My toe hurt so bad by the end of the day, I couldn't bear the thought of running on it.  Plus, I sat in Seattle traffic for an hour and fifteen minutes...and let me tell you, going constantly from the gas to the brake does not feel good on a likely-broken toe!

Today was a gorgeous Seattle day, and I started it off nicely with a trip to a new skate park.  Haha, did you think I went skateboarding?  I love taking my kids to the skate park.  I find it relaxing and inspiring to see these super skilled skater guys flowing swiftly over the smooth concrete.  I left there inspired to do something physical, and proceeded to sit on my ass at the park and at home for most of the day.

Finally, I talked Tallulah into skating with me as I ran around the neighborhood.  My goal was simple - one mile.  As I started running, I couldn't believe how much it didn't hurt.  The running shoes are where it's at.  I felt supported, and even though I had a slight limp in my run, it felt so good.  It would seem that running imparts less impact on the toes than walking.  The whole mile, my toe felt really great.  That is until the very end, when I tripped over a bump in the sidewalk, stubbing my toe right into the cement.

Yeah.  Real nice, Melissa.  What was that I said about not being accident prone?  Let's hope I didn't mess it up even more and that I can get more than a mile in tomorrow.  And I have been doing the push-ups and sit-ups too...and I can do 50 push-ups in a day, split into two sessions!!  That's huge for me.

It's the little things in life...the ups and downs...the push-ups and broken toes.

Get back on that horse and ride

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
My toe and foot are much less swollen, but the toe itself really hurts.  And when I squat down to pick up the numerous pieces of trash and other kid items strewn about my house after a long day of clinic, it feels like my toe isn't attached to my foot.  It feels like it is just there, with no direction or purpose. 

Full Speed Ahead!! Or not, but always, forward.

Oh my god, is my toe a metaphor for my life right now????  Holy shit.  Funny how sitting down to write can take you to a place of understanding that you never knew existed prior to fingers hitting the keyboard.

Ironically, I feel more purpose this morning than I have in weeks, if not months.  And with that as inspiration, I am going to try on my running shoes today and see if I can do one mile.  If I cannot run the mile, I'll at least try to power walk.  And if I cannot do that, I'll stick to push-ups and sit-ups for the rest of the month.  I know I am at 20 push-ups right now, and let's see how many more I can work up to.  I'll do 100 sit-ups/crunches for now.

Any other suggestions on low impact things I can do? (And not swimming because I am not going to make it to the pool, but otherwise, great idea.)  I suppose I could also get my hands on some weights and do some of the upper body things I learned at STRENGTH studio this Spring.