No Small Feet

In light of the recent National Spelling Bee (I’m a geek in my spare time), I feel obligated to tell you that I am well aware that I spelled feat wrong. Sue me. But seriously, don’t, I’m broke.

Anyway, today is where I get to complain to you about my injuries. I’ll just cut to the chase. I have plantar fasciitis in both feet. And yes, it is painful. Actually, if you know a good doctor that does feet transplants, now would be the time to speak up. No? Crap.

Here’s the deal: you are more likely than not going to get an awfully painful injury if you haven’t been exercising and you choose to take the dive and start getting down to business. Joints will ache, feet will hurt, and you may even become addicted to ibuprofen (I know a good addictions counselor if you’re in need, It’s my Dad. He’s free. Win for me). The question is “what are you going to do about it?” Well, here’s what I did:

1. Get a new pair of running shoes.It can be costly, but your feet will want to marry you after you do it. For me, the plantar fasciitis was due to a combination of bad running form and running in old shoes. It has made a world of difference and it’s only been a couple of days. I suggest going to a running store, where they can evaluate your form and how your foot behaves whilst running. A good store will put you in the right shoe. Charleston friends, check out On the Run in Mount Pleasant. Very good.
2.  Practice good form. Running, lifting, roundhouse kicking (I’m almost to the point where Chuck Norris has something to worry about). It doesn’t matter what kind of exercise you’re doing, if you don’t practice good form, you are going to hurt yourself. If you don’t breathe, you are going to hurt yourself (see my previous post, Thomas talked about this very thing). And injuries suck. So please don’t hurt yourself and just listen to this advice.
3. Rest. I would like to say that I am a machine when it comes to working out. That I could beat the pink off of the Energizer Bunny. That I could smoke the copper-top off of a Duracell. You get the point. But the truth is you’ve got to rest and let your body recover. Aim to work out 4 times a week when you first start. I take Tuesdays and Thursdays off. But don’t just lie on the couch. RICE your body (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Stretch it out. Get a massage. If you’re married, the latter is free. Guys, if you need tips on how to convince the old lady, just let me know. Actually, just watch Dr. Oz. He knows EVERYTHING (crud, I just dripped sarcasm on my keyboard).

If you’ve read this far, you will have noticed that I have only talked about the physical aspects of things. And here’s where it gets tricky: the psychological part of it all.

An injury can be very discouraging, especially when you feel like you’re just picking up steam. Here’s where a trainer can help. Here’s where some loved ones come in. Here’s where I am telling you to lean on The Fatty Fighter. If you’re there with me, or anxious that starting this journey is going to send you to the hospital, I am telling you that I created this blog for you. And I’m telling you that you are about to join a host of gimps just like me that not only know what you are or are about to experience, but are more than capable of supporting you through it all. It’s no small feat, it’s difficult, but you might end up a sick-o like me in the end and start begging for more. Or you might be in a corner in the fetal position (more like me really than the former). Either way, let’s DO IT. Or else you're probably going to end up eating a steady diet of government cheese and living in a VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!!