April 27th, 28th and 29th

Thursday was a day of anticipation about seeing the doctor Friday morning. I forced myself to run a 5k on the boardwalk after some warm-up stretches. (34:00)  This was the first time I actually experienced typical plantar fasciitis symptoms as my discomfort disappeared completely halfway through this run.  I wanted to be experiencing some discomfort in the morning when I was at the doctor’s office. I have to say finishing without pain was really nice.

Friday was an extremely interesting day. I had my visit with Dr. Stein at Rothman clinic at 10 a.m.   First they x-rayed my foot and found no signs of trouble.  When I brought up the topic of a cortisone shot I received a dramatic response. Dr. Stein, who is a relatively young woman, told me if she gave me a cortisone shot she would lose her job. She said the Rothman Clinic does not approve and would never administer a cortisone injection to a 74 year old man.  She recommended a month of physical therapy along with a anti-inflammatory prescription, and being fitted for orthotics after my race at Nationals. We discussed the relative merits and heat and ice for this condition. She finds no value in ice whatsoever. She recommends heat and stretching consistently throughout the day. Her specialty is fitting runners for orthotics which I made take her up on it later in the summer.

So I went home, took 2 ibuprofen and ran 4 miles on the boardwalk in 44:10 with no sign of pain in my left foot. I became so excited I ran the last mile and 9:57.  Things are looking up!

Saturday was it an unseasonably hot day in Atlantic City; so Arlene  and I took a long walk on the beach.  (92*)

Stats- Poor job of stat keeping last few days?… Back on track tomorrow…