Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Oh, cr@p. Broken toe.

An unfortunate altercation between my flip-flop exposed toe and a baggage cart at the San Francisco airport is going to sideline my training a few weeks. Oops.

It turns out there isn't much to do about a broken toe. You tape it to the toe next to it (get it straight!), and give it plenty of rest, ice, and stay clear of any tight-fitting shoes. Why there are so many nerve endings on a pinky toe, I have no idea, but I'm already standing around like a flamingo in crowded spaces in fear of a misplaced footstep.

Kinda funny that with all the crazy trail running, it's a baggage cart that takes me out. Well, actually not funny at all, but what can you do? I'll have to pass on the Tahoe Rim Trail this weekend...best of luck to all running. Rob Myers, first on the wait list for TRT, fate wants you to race your heart out!

- SD

24 comments:

  1. Oh man, vivid colors on your toe - guess that means it's easy to tell that it's broken!

    Heal fast...

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    1. The pinky toe at a 90 degree angle was also a good indicator. ;-) Nothing a little scotch tape couldn't fix enough to get us to our flight.

      My feet are not very picturesque, so I found this photo online since the bruising is about the same pattern. Doc said it could also have been dislocated - either way, the same treatment. Alas...

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  2. A little rest will help too. Enjoy the new (if temporary) balance.

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  3. oh come on Scott! Take a photo of the real damage... we're not squeamish

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  4. Yikes, man...the Universe is saying to stay home and spend time with kids and wife. Heal up!

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  5. Sorry to hear about the fracture. They've invented these new-fangled, high-tech devices called shoes, which may help the next time you're around the airport. With the rise of casual flip-flops has been a rise in visits to the foot doctor for fractured toes. Best of luck!

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  6. Ouch, my dad had a running streak of 30 years (minimum 2 miles a day) and somewhere around year 10 his pinky tow caught a tree root horsing around in the back yard and it looked like that. Was a rough couple weeks of running for him!

    Sorry to hear. Time to get in the pool and set your 100m free record!

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  7. Oh no!! That sucks! #sendingfasthealingvibes

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  8. Sorry, Scott. I've broken a few toes and it's embarrassingly painful. Here's to a speedy recovery. Good thing you are a cyclist too.

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  9. Ack. My little toes probably want to defect to someone else's feet, I hit them so much.

    FYI, I wear the Altra Instinct day-to-day and it has great toe room, especially on the outside.

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  10. I did the exact same thing to my toe just over one month ago. The injuries look identical. I actually thought you posted a photo of my toe.

    I was able to get back to running in about two weeks with some shoe altering. I could not stand anything on top of my toe as it was swollen and painful. In fact, I didn't feel any pain until some of the swelling subsided and I gained mobility in the toe. Anyhow, my solution was to cut the pinky toe off of my Vibram KSOs. That allowed me to run with minimal discomfort. Considering the fact that the adjacent two toes were also sprained I thought it was remarkable that letting my toe go "commando" did the trick.

    Hope this helps.

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  11. Wow, that is graphic! Hope it heals fast!

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  12. I was going to mention that it looks like you have Morton's Toe until I read your comment that the photo is not of you. The little toe in the picture sure looks impressive.

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  13. thats sucks!!! Sorry about your foot! I had gotten some cactus in my toe and I could not wear shoes for almost 2 weeks. You are so right..what is up with the littlest toe being the most sensitive?

    diana
    1mileatatime.com

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  14. Hi, Scott.

    Weird that yesterday I was reading up on the TRT - my first time to gather info on that race (looking at some 100-milers in the US and found TRT). Been amazed at how you're able to be so leisure and comical (and humble) about your pace and races (taking photos and all) in your posts, but still setting some blistering finish times. I'm still dreaming of running Boston one day...

    Anyway, just sharing something that could put some perspective on your toe:

    http://baldrunner.com/2012/07/17/marcelo-the-champion/

    Makes one appreciate more what one has, right? You guys in America are blessed. Your toe will heal, but there are people in the world who just manage to get by with what he/she has, making a decent meager living, and hoping for a better life (while running for the pure joy of running).

    Hope you heal well - and fast! Can't wait to read up on your next adventure.

    WENCY from the Philippines

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  15. You'll be missed @ TRT! Here's to quick recovery! p.s. i was thinking...geez his feet look like a girls feet? :) now we know. hahah! take care and rest and heal up for Mt. Blanc!

    -Patty from The Dawn Patrol

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  16. Bummer Scott, Hope you heal up real soon! btw, any x-ray pics of the toe? I work in Radiology and I find things that tend to gross most people out...actually really cool lol. Speedy Recovery!

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  17. looks so painful i hope toe is fine in future.

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  18. Sorry to hear about that Scott. How frustrating to be out for something non-training related. Hope it heals up (and stops being 90 degrees) and you're back to running soon.

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  19. That looked like it hurt. Ironic.

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  20. Awe..that's too bad! But I guess, it just shows your progress. :)

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  21. Hope it's getting better. But I'm glad it's not just me that injures themselves doing something mundane (my last hurt was falling in the shower ... :-} )

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  22. We live dangerous lives, even in airports, what a bummer/summer...!

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  23. Yes, unfortunately not much you can do, immobilize it and apply good old RICE - rest, ice, compression and elevation.

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