I have what feels like a stress reaction in my foot. Forefoot area, not well localized. It's a dull, mild ache. I notice it mostly first thing in the morning and at night. Usually don't notice it on my runs.
What should I do - keep running on it? Take a few days off? Longer? What else, besides rest, should I do to take care of it?
It's the summer, so you probably could afford to take a week off, maybe two, as long as you cross train like a madman.
It probably won't affect your running much, but remember even after only a couple of weeks off you have to ease back into training. If you're at 50mpw, start back at 15, then 25, 35, 40, 45, 50. You may think it'll set you back, but odds are it won't.
If it feels like a stress reaction, go to the doctor to get an exact answer on this problem.
Get it diagnosed, then decide what to do with your doc. If it is a stress reaction, you'd be best off taking some time off from running and cross training in the pool (pool running), and/or elliptical and biking if your foot isn't irritated by that. A couple of weeks off in the summer will give you a better chance at a healthy season in the fall. If you keep running on a stress reaction, it can become a full stress fracture and you'll have no choice but to sit out for 6-8 weeks.
Thanks for the replies and advice. My current plan is to take two weeks completely off from running and reassess. If everything feels good, I will gradually start adding mileage. (I don't currently have access to a gym, so unfortunately I can't cross train on an elliptical or stationary bike.) If I'm feeling pain at that point, I will resign myself to the fact that I need to take more time off and see a doctor.
After six days of rest, I don't have any pain or real discomfort from walking around the house. I notice a dull ache from time to time in my foot, usually when sitting or lying down.
If anyone has any experiences to share re: dealing with stress reaction/fracture in their foot, I'd like to hear it.
4wks off running then assess. During these 4 wks do what does not hurt pool running sessions, core 2-3/wk, leg extensions 2/week. * Definitely wouldn't hurt to be on a Calcium/mineral supplement.
I ignored this above protocol, quickly turned into a Stress fracture which made recovery (8+weeks) the last Ca supp was Bone Up by Jarrow formulas. When I finished this bottle I went with a basic Ca supp@400mg/ 400iu Vitamin D. this seems to keep the bone soreness away(along with No soda Lot of greens)
Noticing it mostly in the mornings and nights and not on runs does not sound like a stress reaction to me.
Take the time off and see how it works out.
Take time off and take calcium.