At best bruised...at worst broken?

[Outdoorsy19]

I entered the Virtual GNR when entries opened last Monday. This is a big deal for me, I only started C25K at New Year...Training has been going well since I started on a programme in early June, despite returning to work more or less full time in late July and having to be creative with my schedule.

And then I slipped for no reason at all walking down my stairs. Somehow I lost my footing but my little toe stuck... it immediately swelled and hurt like h3ll! That was Thursday morning last week... much of my work is on my feet but fortunately on Thursday I had a day off. So ice, elevation and ibuprofen later I strapped it up to the next toe, found some shoes that felt supportive without pressing on it and hobbled about, doing as little as possible.

Over the weekend I was on my feet for my full 8-9 hour shifts and carried on the RICE routine, throwing in arnica as the bruising had spread over half my foot.

So I’ve been able to work and actually walking on it seems ok although it is sore to the touch, but what about my half marathon in 5 weeks’ time? I’ve reached 12k but I’ve a long way to go yet... I’ve thought I’ll leave running at all for a week but I’m impatient to get back to training ASAP, equally I don’t want to put back my recovery. Soooo frustrating... any advice?

[misswobble Marathon]

I’d rest that foot. Healing time is needed by the sound of it. 🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Ouch Outdoorsy, that sounds mighty painful. 😩

I did similar to my toe doing yoga (yes) and a good part of my foot bruised. I rested it for a week then gingerly started jogging slowly, backing off if it hurt. I must admit I wasn’t doing distance running then as it was a couple of years ago, but I don’t think I could have.

Take it really easy. You don’t want to aggravate it and put your training back further.

Good luck. 🤞

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh no! How frustrating. Last Black Friday I was rushing and caught and twisted my pinkie toe pretty badly. It swelled. It bruised. It hurt. I couldn't run at all at first, and I definitely had to take a week or two off because it was simply too painful. But as my running shoes have lots of toe room, I did manage to run reasonably comfortably fairly quickly. However I caution that it took ages and ages to properly heal because I didn't ever give it chance. I am 90% sure it was broken. Would I do the same again? probably! Should I? NO.

I know it's not what you want to hear, but I would say don't even think about running on it if it is painful to do so. If you can run without pain, just be aware that doing so is likely to extend the healing time if there's a break rather than just bruising. I do hope it feels better very soon.

[Outdoorsy19 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you that’s so helpful and the sensible advice I need to hear!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Ouch! I broke a toe years ago when my sisters horse walked across my foot! Half a ton of horse hurts 😫 but I was lucky just to break just the one, I suspect!

As for running - of course it depends on the break but my guess is you may not be able to run on it for a while. I'm sorry this is probably not what you want to hear but I will keep my fingers crossed for speedy healing! 🤞

[Outdoorsy19 Half Marathon]

Well, despite the set backs, I did it! I ran my first ever half marathon yesterday. I had only managed 4 more short runs and a 10 miler since breaking my toe (yes I think it was!), but strapping, ibuprofen and a bit of luck helped me round, to complete in just under 2.5 hours. Pleased as punch!