For the past week and a half, I have not been able to run or cycle on my left foot.  The pain is all up front on the ball of the foot.  I tried toughing it out, keeping off it, and hoping I would wake up one-day pain-free.  That little movie in my head did not materialize.

I am at a loss as to where the pain came from.  I was fine in Saudi and ran every other day on the track.  I came back and two days later rode 45 miles.  Two days after that I swam in the morning and then rode an easy 35 miles to Rancho Santa Fe and back.  Then, the next day I woke up and couldn’t walk on my left foot.  I didn’t drop anything on it.  I didn’t smash it into anything.  It is a mystery as to what led to my immobility.

So, off to the doctor, I did limp yesterday.  The family was betting it was Plantar Fasciitis which is quite common for the type of sports I am doing especially running.  However, she wasn’t buying the family prognosis.  She was betting on Metatarsalgia since there wasn’t any heel pain which is the primary symptom of Plantar Fasciitis.  She suggested that I see a Podiatrist.  Amazingly, I was able to book an appointment the next morning at 8:30 am.

Upon meeting a jolly Dr. Westermeyer, he asked me the typical questions that you would expect from a Podiatrist.  He poked me with instruments, pressed on areas and made me scream with pain.  I think they enjoy that.  Then, he reviewed my X-rays from the previous day.

Upon his review, he showed me his laptop and explained the history and function of the Sesamoid Bone.  It develops, and acts, much like a kneecap.  There are two located on top of the big toe (The captain of the toes for you Seinfeld fans.)  As you can see in the image below, my left Sesamoid Bone has a big crack in it and has separated.  Simply compare it to the one on the right, and you can see the obvious difference.

Needless to say, this ain’t good.  We discussed options.  Option #1…cast for a month.  Option #2…boot for a month.  Option #3…do nothing and be in pain all the time.  I went for Option #2.  That way I could at least keep swimming which is what I need to work on most anyway.  He agreed.  In addition to my boot, I will now need crutches and will have to keep weight off it as much as possible for a month.  Then I will come back to see the jolly Podiatrist again and hopefully be released on my recognizance.

This obviously impacts my chances of actually being ready for Ironman Canada.  It definitely rules out my San Diego Spring Sprint Triathlon which is only four weeks away.  However, the glass half full guy that I am looks at it as an opportunity to solely focus on the swim.  There are no other distractions now.  It is the only sport of the three I am allowed to do.  Simplicity does have an attraction.