I've had a list of Running Related issues that have been on my mind lately and I was hoping that you guys could offer me some advice.
1. Ok, Summer is the WORST time to for a runner to lose a toe nail. Remember in our post about blister prevention, 6 WAY TO PREVENT BLISTERS, I mentioned that my nail was loose after PHM and I thought it was going to fall off but it ended up being loose only because I had a blister underneath it? Well, it must have hung on for 3 months after that and then just one day randomly fell off. I was sitting on the back deck when it happened and I actually thought it was a piece of my dog's nail. Nope, it was mine! So now I had to go buy myself a pair of closed toed Summer shoes. Do you know how hard it is to find closed toe summer shoes?
I ended up finding a pair of these at Target. I actually really like them and have scoured my closet for all the blue tops and accessories I could find so they would match the shoes.
Also, I've taken my nail polish off my toes so they could finally "breathe". I wear polish all year long and it is unusual for me to go more than 2 days with out any polish on my toes. I've gone almost 2 weeks now with out any polish. I feel weird putting color on my toes when one of my nails is barely there. Do you think it is safe for me to polish my toes and put polish on the little bit of nail I have growing back? Or do you think keeping the polish off will allow the nail bed to "breath" and grow back faster? okay, sorry about all the gross toe talk. Aren't you glad I'm not showing pictures?
2. After seeing 3 different doctors I am still having the leg/hip/lower back pain. I did get a cortisone shot in my left hip which seemed to help, but the other pain is persisting.
After also visiting Dr. Google I thought maybe I had a problem with Sciatica, but when I mentioned this to my chiropractor during my visit last week, he didn't think that was the case. Back in May, I made an Ortho appointment (4th doctor), but they couldn't get me in until July 2. I didn't know what I was going to do until then, but now it seems as if July will be here before we know it. I had been thinking about going back to Dr #3 and getting another Cortisone shot in the other side of my hip. Do you think I should wait till I see the Ortho before I do that? I'm thinking the cortisone will just end up masking the pain. If I do really have something wrong, I want to be able to show the Ortho were all my pain is.
3. I got a gift certificate for my birthday to get a massage. After much research and a recommendation by a friend, I think I found the perfect Massage Therapist.
There are 10 different massages she offers, including Neuromuscular Therapy (trigger point), Deep Connective Tissue, Myofascial Release, Sports Massage, Shiatsu (acupuncture) ( and a few others which I know I would have no need for so I didn't list them).
Do you think it is okay for me to go ahead and get a massage this week or should I wait till after my Ortho appointment?
My next question is for those of you who have been following along with my injury over the past several months. Should I be getting the Myofascial Release Massage, the Sports Massage, or maybe the Neuromuscular Therapy?
Also, for those of you who have got Myofascial Release Massage before, did it give you lasting relief or was is just temporary for the time being?
And One more thing, should I be concerned that this particular massage therapist is blind?
I had a few other concerns but I think I'll stop here. Can you offer any advice on any of these? Please! ~M
*And in totally random non running related news: I was excited to see that Katie Couric was getting her own show. Once it came on the air I watched a few episodes. I really like Katie so I had high hopes. It turns out that she was just really boring. Nice gal, but boring. I thought, "This show isn't going to last long". Low and behold I found out today that her show is getting cancelled.