« Running Out of Real Estate - Philly Style | Main | Today's News »
June 24, 2008
Toe Troubles
Race recovery is going pretty well. I did an easy recovery swim yesterday and today a bit of easy biking and running. Tomorrow it's back to the grind.
I've gotten lots of sleep, did my traditional ice bath on Sunday after we returned, lots of stretching and rolling, a chiro appointment Monday and a massage Monday too (what can I say - I take my recovery seriously! :) So my body is coming around again.
Except for my 2nd left toe.
I think I might have to amputate soon.
I can't say for sure when it happened on Sunday but at some point I just about tore the top half of my 2nd left toe off. I didn't even realize it happened until after the race when I removed my racing flat to find a bloody mess where that 2nd toe once was. Hmmm...what do we have here?
I immediately ruled out a blister type injury because the toe didn't hurt at all with the racing flat on. While usually the culprit - this time, the run didn't do the damage.
I thought next of the cycling shoe because it's much tighter in the toe box than the racing flats, but again, no blood on the cycling shoe and not much pain with the cycling shoe on.
Which leaves just one sport - THE SWIM!
Meaning one of 2 things. Either I ripped part of the toe off while trying desperately to exit the Schuylkill (of which I was unsuccessful approximately 4 times before I got it right) OR, I ripped part of the toe off when I decided that it would be easier to rip my whole leg off than just trying to rip my evil wetsuit off of my leg. The answer isn't entirely clear.
Either way, the end result is the fact that part of my toe is missing and the remainder of that toe was subjected to dirty Schuylkill River water. And yes, I know, just yesterday I was saying how clean the Schuylkill was. But really I just meant that it was clean IN COMPARISON to the Allegheny. Don't misunderstand. Both rivers are very dirty.
So anyway, I started to worry a little about my toe when the whole thing became very red and puffy and quite painful. And it was hot. All signs of infection. And remember, I work in a hospital and I know first hand about those people that come in with a little pin prick and leave without a leg because of flesh eating bacteria.
Okay, I agree, that last statement was a little dramatic. (but seriously...necrotizing fascitis is a serious and real thing)
ANYWAY - of course I had to ask a few of my co-workers what they thought. Mostly because I can't trust O. He comes home from a softball game with half of his butt missing (from sliding), pours some hydrogen perioxide on it and calls it a night. He clearly doesn't fear infection.
But my co-workers basically told me I was being a baby (which I highly suspected) and prescribed some antibiotic cream and a bandaid. Where's the compassion here people?
So I guess I will be okay. But I do know a few good surgeons just in case... :)
Posted by beth at June 24, 2008 7:39 PM
Comments
Just got home from my softball game and I'm happy to report no flesh torn off tonight. I'm all in one piece!
Posted by: O at June 24, 2008 10:32 PM
its a wonder how just a toe injury can effect the whole body... i hope it gets better soon...
Posted by: Kranky C Dale at June 25, 2008 8:01 AM
I hope your toe is okay. I know how easy it is to get worked up about something small like that. Just keep applying the antibiotic cream.
Posted by: maija at June 25, 2008 8:35 AM
Oh no toe! That is not even cool! Sorry to hear that Beth. Just do as the smart medical people say but it really can affect your training sometimes. Remember when Coach Sully even made us be mindful of blisters so we could keep on pounding out those miles. So, take care it! Oh - and I hurt myself today getting out of the pool.. must be a injury prone week!
Posted by: Kim at June 25, 2008 10:24 AM
A bit dramatic? Yes. :) But it made me laugh and nearly spew coffee all over the computer. So there. Yes, I have compassion - toes are important. And we don't want any to go missing, now do we. That was a statement, not a question. :) Hang in there... it'll be okay.
And yes, the Schykull (or however you spell it!) is dirty! ick!
Posted by: marit c-l at June 25, 2008 10:47 AM
Ewwwww - cut off the toe, save your leg! I've always said the swim is most dangerous... well, dangerous for my overall time anyway.
Posted by: Ashley at June 25, 2008 11:07 AM
Beth,
hope your toe heals quickly. Great race this weekend!
Posted by: Ness at June 25, 2008 8:12 PM