Elliott on Film

The iphone 3GS works pretty well as a video camera; unfortunately, on this blog it doesn't show up with the rather remarkable clarity that it does on my computer. Anyway, as promised quite a while back here is some video of Elliott. I don't know how much I'll be able to post since these videos are relatively large.
Today marks seven weeks without running. I see the doctor tomorrow. I am going to propose an Xray to see exactly where the presumed calcification and break are. I would like to get the ok to try a little light running.

I've Given the Boot the Boot

Today is the 37th day since I broke my second metatarsal on a run not long after a 70 mile week. (I was actually thinking that doing a 100 mile week could become a reality). For the last two days now I haven't worn the post op boot that had been providing protection for my foot and allowing it to heel. I do have an orthotic in that shoe that keeps pressure off the forefoot but I have walked around barefoot as well.

It has been difficult to walk normally. I don't know if this is from my walking mechanics being thrown off so much by swinging the boot or if I'm subconsciously favoring it. I don't need to favor it; it doesn't hurt. It still feels odd, as if a bit swollen. The greatest concern I have is that the three middle toes are clawing; when I put pressure on the forefoot the three middle toes pull back toward the foot with the toe joint rising up. I hope this is just a temporary situation as the foot continues to heel and return to its normal function.

I find it odd that I haven't gained any weight; I speculate that I have lost muscle mass in my legs and that some fat is depositing around the middle.

Presumably, I've lost all the conditioning that the foot had from running barefoot. The other one has probably weakened as well. My knees have been hurting on occasion; I suspect it is from walking with an altered gait.

I'm going to suggest an Xray when I see the doctor in a couple of weeks. I hope that some heeling is evident; they say that stress fractures don't show on Xrays until some weeks later after they've had time to start heeling. The sensation of walking with a hackysack underfoot has subsided although there is still excessive thickness in the area. This was there before the break and I had assumed that it was something the feet did in response to running barefoot. It may well have been, but not a normal response. I want to allow the foot to get back to normal, like the other foot, and then begin running barefoot again as well as using a neutral shoe as opposed to a motion control one.

The Leadville 100 is this weekend. I won't be a threat...wouldn't have anyway.

Unsatisfying Bicycle Workout

After three weeks of physical inactivity I decided to try out the bicycle on the Boulder Creek Path while Ruth was at an appointment in town. I pedaled as hard as I could for 38 minutes but could never get enough big muscle groups working hard enough to require me to open my mouth to breath. The weak link seemed to be the hamstrings. I felt limited by muscle fatiguing in that area. Everything else was fine. The boot was no impediment and there was no pain in the foot while pedaling.

I think if I build up a bit I can strengthen the muscles that are more specific to bicycling and then maybe I'll be able to get some cardiorespiratory benefit. I imagine it is going to take some time to build up the bicycling muscles to match my current cardiac condition. My guess is that after three weeks of rest I haven't lost too much conditioning but if I go on any longer I will start too lose it.