[SportiGrl]

<p>I was very excited to try out the new Vibrams I bought in Columbus today .. so .. I stopped at a little trail when I was almost home and tried them out ... was having a blast ... first 1/2 mile is hilly but all grasslands ... then it's mostly single track trail with some roots and rocks but not too bad ... the falling nuts were interesting, though!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was having a blast and nearly done with my first 1 mile loop on the trail and thinking I'd go for another  ... when it happened  *waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh*  ... my right pinky toe caught a root of something and got pulled backward to the side  ... dammit ... it wasn't a jam, it was a bending back, pretty far ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I cringed and kept running ... it was burning ... so I walked some and laughed at myself and my 'luck'  ... wondering if I will be able to pull off the group trail run/marthon I had planned to attend on Monday  ... probably NOT  *sigh*  .... wondering if I'll be able to work tomorrow?  ... *I hope so but don't know*  ... wondering if I'll be able to do my 100k I've been training all summer for  ... which was already questionable with my sciatic/IT band issues flaring lately ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>dang ... as much as last year was my year of reckless abandon and joy for trails/ultras this one is a severe trial on dealing with physicaly issues/injuries and deciding which to work thru and which to let heal and hope to get back in the game before all is lost ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have not taken my toesocks off yet to look at the skin ... I elevated and iced when I got home ... hobble a LOT when I try to walk ...  can see thru my sock that the toe is pretty swollen  ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am hoping ibuprofen, ice and some buddy taping will work and I can cowboy up and continue training but don't feel too confident in that being workable and even if it is if there's any real danger if I try it?</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>what would YOU do????</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>here's a pic of it 2 days later ... bruising looks worse in person but you can see the joint area is more affected than the actual toe  ... although, the outside of the toe near the juncture with the foot is quite tender .... I'm thinking maybe I broke or badly strained the toe and sprained the joint area, maybe?</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/56630/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="001.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="13896" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/13896/width/375/height/500" style="; width: 375px; height: 500px"></a></p>

 

[YoBear]

<p>I don't think there is much you can do for a broken toe.  I would take a few days off and let the swelling go down and then assess from there.  I would probably still plan on running and be really, really, really, bummed but try to stay optimistic.  Ride your bike for the week.  Then after the swelling goes down take it out for a test run (minus the Vibram Five Fingers).  I don't think you need your pinky toe for much but then again mine hasn't been injured, so far.  I bet after the trauma in the toe subsides you'll be able to run just fine.  The tape is probably a good idea.  Good Luck.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>*This opinion and proposed tactic is based solely on tons of my own couch bound, wound licking, experiences.</p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<p>thanks, yobear ... I am trying to stay positive ... and am hoping it's a sprain or whatever and after a few days I can gut out running ... am really bummed I'll likely miss out on that awesome group run I planned to attend Monday ... still hoping I can do it, lol </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I went to town and bought some wider/bigger work shoes with a rigid toebox to keep pressure off my pinky toe ... I told hubby they'll be my ultra-injury workshoes, haha ... I hope I can make it thru work in the morning!</p>

 

[cgerber]

<p>Yeah, I wouldn't sweat it too much.  I've broken 3 or 4 of the smaller toes over the years (mostly kicking furniture in the house at night).  They heal up pretty quick.  An like YoBear said, they aren't really needed for much.  </p>

 

[Buzzie]

<p>Geez! What a summer you've been having!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And there I was, thinking of you as I ran rocky, rooty trails today in my VFFs... Sporti would be SOOO much more than kickin' my butt (yep, even more so than usual) - here I am, picking my way along, and she (the smart one in real shoes) would be demolishing everything in her path, eatin' up trails and spittin' 'em out!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hit my left big toe really hard during the first half mile - this is the toe that took all the abuse at the trail marathon last weekend. Kept going, but was even more cautious. Was having trouble working the clutch on my drive home - ouch!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So... I say tape it and go. Your 100k won't be bothered by this. A pinky toe CANNOT stop SportiGrl!! <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/headbang.gif" title=""></p>

 

[shellerz]

<p>had a couple ultra friends break a pinky toe in their vibrams this year. nothing against vibrams, cause i wear em too... just gotta be careful. it's a hazard i guess. to answer the question, your toe will be fine enough to run on in a week or so and all healed up at the end of 3.. you should be fine. consider it a cutback week</p>

 

[merigayle]

<p>You guys are not selling the Vibrams really well, LOL! Anywho, I would rest it up for a few days to a week and then ease back into running and listen to your body. I hope you heal up, Zoe and I will be crewing at OC </p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<p>thanks, peeps ... </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am hopefully optimistic ... it's ugly and the whole right half of the top of my foot is a lovely greenish hue at the moment ... but I made it thru a 9 hour workday, waiting tables and on my feet the entire time  ... foot is not swollen  ... it's a bit stingy  ... and after getting home from a visit with some friends and getting my nurse friend and her firefighter hubbie's opinions on the condition of my foot it's still up in the air as to whether it's a break or bad strain, lol  ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>... BUT ...  I got home and was able to put on my Brooks Racers (with a wider toebox) and they aren't killing me ... and then I was able to go out front and jog around a little w/o much pain ... there is a very tender spot at the outside of my toe near where it attatches to my foot but most of the pain is localized in the juncture of my pinky to the next toe and the forefoot above that area ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am (probably foolishly) considering meeting the running group at Old Man's Cave in the morning and seeing what I can do .... I should at least be able to get a beautiful walk/hike, right?  since I walked for hours at work today ... right?</p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Buzzie</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69927/wwyd-injured-probably-broken-pinky-toe-6-weeks-before-my-first-100k#post_1942423"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And there I was, thinking of you as I ran rocky, rooty trails today in my VFFs...</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
bragger!  ;-)  </p>

 

[Buzzie]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>SportiGrl</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69927/wwyd-injured-probably-broken-pinky-toe-6-weeks-before-my-first-100k#post_1942465"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><p> </p>
<p>bragger!  ;-)  </p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Did I fail to mention that I'd hit my big toe HARD? Like, it'd be broken if it were a lesser toe.</p>
<p>Oddly enough, I found my form changed today. Only a couple little scuffs (on the bottom of the toe, instead of the top, for a change) - which immediately acted as form correctors.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Glad you were able to get through work. Hope you had fun today - whether you run, hiked, or served refreshments.</p>
<p>This, too, shall pass. (And, may force you to give that sciatic nerve and IT band a rest. ;-)<br>
 </p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<p>hope your toe is okay and all your runs remain injury free, buzzie ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I had very achy calves/achilles that kept me up last night so didn't go to the run/hike afterall .... we did walk for a few hours at the local swappers day ... that was interesting .... and I managed a walk around the block with hubby and puppers a little while ago ... threw in a couple jogs for the heck of it ... achilles/calf is pretty sore  but I think my gait is actually okay today and it's repercussions from yesterday's bad form?</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<p>I was talking to hubby today and am seriously considering ways to alter my vibrams to be 4 finger vibrams, hahah ..  I'd have rather jammed my toe(s) than tried to separate it from the foot *yikes*</p>

 

[Buzzie]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>SportiGrl</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69927/wwyd-injured-probably-broken-pinky-toe-6-weeks-before-my-first-100k#post_1942667"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I was talking to hubby today and am seriously considering ways to alter my vibrams to be 4 finger vibrams, hahah ..  I'd have rather jammed my toe(s) than tried to separate it from the foot *yikes*</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Yeah - I've done that shearing thing before, too. At least if your toe is in the shoe, it won't really get ripped off! (You'll just wish it had been.)  <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif" title=""></p>
<p>It all gets better - we adapt.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As for your calves - they're likely working in ways they haven't for awhile. There is no heel in the VFFs, so things are automatically more stretched from the get-go.</p>
<p>Everyone's journey is different. But, sore calves and strained achilles seem to be common early on. I thought I was doing well - sore calves, but a good sore. Then, after a few days of running without incident, BAM! One mile into a run, a sudden pain like a knife twisting in my calf. Had to walk home. Sidelined me for several days; I came back with new-found respect and caution. I've read of this same knife-like feeling happening to several others.</p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<p>the calf aching isn't from the vibrams .... it's only on the injured foot/leg and is from walking flat footed at work for 9 hours on Sunday  ... and with foot leaning in toward big toe to avoid putting pressure on the pinky side  ...   my left leg is fine and dandy and not in the least sore from the vibram run or from compensating for the injured foot (yet)  </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I should have said calf, not calves ... sorry for the mistake!  *doh*</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>the achilles isn't as achy today but I still have a knotted area in my calf  .... hopefully I can walk more normally at work tonight and not make things worse again!</p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<p>I think the fact that I exercised barefoot on a hard tile deck for 8 years helps with adapting to vibram running  ... but now I have to take a timeout and won't know for sure how I do in them for a while longer.</p>

 

[Buzzie]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>SportiGrl</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69927/wwyd-injured-probably-broken-pinky-toe-6-weeks-before-my-first-100k#post_1942853"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>the calf aching isn't from the vibrams ....</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Got it! I read "calves"...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hoping you bounce back quickly! <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/occasion14.gif" title=""></p>

 

[Flounder]

<p>I snapped my baby toe the weekend of Holloween last year</p>
<p> </p>
<p>3-4 weeks of a high level of burning pain that slowly eased up over the next 3 months - It is still purple today.  I never missed a run or workout - I just sucked it up - I might have taken a chance at losing it - but I was pretty focussed on hitting my runs, so I figured it was expendable.</p>

 

[Flounder]

<p>PS - I did buddy tape it for a few weeks</p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<p>thanks, flounder ... my main concern is that I did damage above the pinky toe, closer to where I had a broken 5th metatarsal in '05  *yikes*</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I had to walk on it for 9 hours the next day at work ... and we walked 3-4 hours on Monday at a flea market/event  ... and I ran a 'little' Monday while walking the doggie  ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I walked on it all day yesterday cooking and then working in the evening and will be working 10-8 today and walking on it a LOT  ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am having to concentrate hard on maintaining a somewhat normal gait to hopefully fend off achilles/calf issues that got very aggrivated by walking poorly so many hours on Sunday  ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>my plan, at this point, is to work my 40 hours waitressing week, walk the pooch with jog intervals, and see where I am next weekend ... then MAYBE try a run?  Then I'll decide what I'm going to do about my race at Oilcreek on Oct 16 ...</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>one problem I have that some/many don't is that I cannot injure myself so badly that it requires a cast or sitting on the job  ... that would equal me having no job/paycheck for the duration at least ... been there, done that and don't wanna be there again ...</p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Flounder</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69927/wwyd-injured-probably-broken-pinky-toe-6-weeks-before-my-first-100k#post_1943039"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>PS - I did buddy tape it for a few weeks</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
buddy taping makes the pain exponentially worse!  it hobbles me to the point I cannot walk without horrible limping.</p>