Back on my Own Two Feet

Since last week's Great Walk Debacle, I've been to the doctor, who then told me to see a physical therapist to help me recover from peroneal ankle tendinitis.

To my great embarrassment, after the doctor's visit, my pain disappeared over the weekend. What the Hell? My appointment for PT was on Monday -what to do now? Even though the pain seemed gone, I could still feel it lurking. I kept the appointment, figuring I'd get some exercises to prevent this from happening again.

The therapist was very nice and full of information. The first thing he did was examine the bottoms of my walking shoes. "Hmmm.... Interesting," he said. Apparently they are the wrong shoes for my gait and they're worn out. He told me to get fitted for some better ones. I felt so sad - I love my Adidas sneakers.

They have girly pink details, cool reflective stripes, and they don't feel clunky on my feet - more like I'm wearing clouds. AND they were on sale. If I had any poetic language skills, I'd be composing a farewell homage. It would go something like this:

An Ode to Dead Footwear

So soft, so pink
It makes me think...
You are slight and fleet
As you support my
Aging feet.
I bask in the reflection
Of your silver tape,
But found myself, my mouth agape
When I am told
I must replace these shoes so old
Because of this darned ankle,
Instead of looking swank I'll
Be walking in some big
Shoes built like a pig....etc., etc

(I told you I'm no poet, right?)

When I told the PT that I liked the shoes because they're pink, he cringed and said therapists HATE to hear stuff like that. My feeling is, why can't shoe companies make athletic-wear attractive as well as supportive?

The good news is, because of my proactive treatment of the offending ankle last week, I'm already on my way to a better me. I'm to continue what I've been doing, as well as add in some mild strengthening exercises. Oh, and I can't do any fitness walking for at least a month. If I want to get some cardio exercise in, I have to go fight for a recumbent bike at the gym.

All in all, I worried needlessly last week. This injury wasn't as bad as it could have been - no amputations are scheduled for my immediate future...