I just can't do it anymore. I give up. I can't run.
When I go a few days without running, my heel responds to the various treatments I've been trying and it starts to feel better. Then as soon as I finish a run -- even a short one -- the excruciating pain returns and I'm barely able to walk for a couple of days!! It's becoming a huge problem in my life: I'm skipping out on household chores and fun activities with my kids because it hurts too much to walk.
I've actually been toying with the idea of dropping out of Iron Girl entirely and getting my money back. I bought the insurance when I registered, and I possibly could qualify for the refund based on the PF or on the fact that I was laid off from my job. It's so tempting...and the refunded money would sure come in handy right now.
As of this moment, I'm not sure what I'll do. I worry that skipping the race will be damaging psychologically, as the evil voice inside my head will label me a quitter and a failure, as it loves to do. And it also seems like a shame to make all my swimming and biking training go to waste. I have not been perfect at following my training plan, but I've made some good progress this summer! I really ought to be able to complete the race, because I can always walk the run leg and still get to the finish line. So I should do it, right?
On the other hand, if I'm not running, then I have no shot at a PR, which takes some of the joy out of racing. I'm not sure what my goals will be instead -- perhaps a PR in each of the other two legs and the transitions?
I'm going to try to complete 6 workouts this week, just alternating between swim and bike, and see how I feel. Meanwhile, I am officially on a running hiatus until such time as the heal pain goes away completely, which might not happen until I seek medical treatment.
