...argh!...

As my platinum highlights begin to highlight my age, I have become more diligent about making sure that this fragile shell of mine lasts a little while longer. So today, with a persistent foot pain, I limped my way into a podiatrist's office for the first time.

Weeks ago, while jogging up a steep treadmill incline, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my foot. I slowed down and lowered the incline to a more reasonable height but the damage had been done. I rested and proceeded more slowly in the following weeks, only to find that the pain wouldn't go away. So I searched podiatrists online and found one in our area with great reviews.

I must say, it was odd to have strange men feeling up my feet, but they were both so nice. After all the initial tests and x-rays, the doctor asked me questions while moving my right foot back and forth, up and down. Within moments, due to the way that I nearly jumped off the table in pain, he diagnosed the problem.

Apparently, I have achilles tendonitis in my right ankle, which has caused the pain and swelling. When I did some research on it tonight, the mayo clinic's description had me laughing: "Achilles tendinitis most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs. It's also common in middle-aged people who play sports, such as tennis or basketball, only on the weekends." I'm the former, folks. I'm the former. 

I was told that if I RICE it (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) it should heal in the next few weeks. In the meantime, I have been relegated to the elliptical. Also, I was told to get a cheap rolling pin and use it like a foam roller to work out any muscle kinks in my lower legs because my calves are “just massive.” (He's a body builder – he sincerely believed he was paying me a compliment.)

I still have big running plans this year, though. I'll keep you posted!