Pain on my Foot

I have been taking it easy for the last few weeks after the stress fracture (January 7th). The last track workout on Wednesday was tough as always, but I survived. Walking has been my new x-training. I have ran on the treadmill, but very slowly. Weather is slowly improving. A couple of trips to Mexico won't allow me to race, which is probably a good thing. I hope I can run the Ronald McDonald Half-Marathon on May 4th. That's a little bit more than a month away. 

Understanding why I got injured while running

Saturday. January 4th. Went for a long run. 12.4 miles. 

Sunday, January 5th. Sunday. Rested my feet. 

Monday, January 6th. CRWC.  Ran about 4-5 miles around the track. Feet feel just fine. 

Tuesday, January 7th. Went running to the Rec Center.  Ran a few laps very slowly. Suddenly I started to feel pain on the top of my foot. Stopped running and just walked. Pain still persisted. Went to work. I was limping while walking and went to visit the sport medicine doctor. Stress fracture on the second metatarsal. 

Tried to stay active without running. Wore a boot. Stopped running. Pain is still there. Frustration. Why did I get hurt?  It has taken me a while to learn why I got injured.  I have come to the conclusion I got injured because I don't know how to run.

I am learning that the answer is that I have to re-learn how to run. The answer is not barefoot running, it won't be that easy. Barefoot running is going to help me re-learn how to run. I will know I am not running correctly when I am barefoot. It is a lot harder to learn to run properly when I am wearing shoes.

Here's a great video of Prof. Daniel Lieberman explaining his hypothesis on why barefoot running.

Rules for Good Running:
1. Do not over stride.  Over striding leads to heel striking.
2. Do not lean your body. Keep a nice upright posture. Posture - Rhythm - Relaxation.
3. Keep a high cadence.

Strengthening your feet and legs will keep you away from injuries. Improving your form will keep you away from injuries.

Another video of Prof. Daniel Lieberman.