Date: 2016-01-02
To: Signs Point to Yes
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Several weeks ago, I got a new pair of hiking shoes. I was out in the desert having a great time when, all of a sudden, it felt like a lightening bolt had just passed through my left heel. Crap, I thought, my plantar fasciitis just returned in a very dramatic manner after almost 3 years of it being gone. So there I was, at that time, about 3 months out from my start date with a new case of plantar fasciitis. The ticket to Atlanta is purchased, my gear is tested, the kitchen scale is just about worn out from neurotic weight checking, and the shuttle is booked. I am just counting days and hiking in the desert."Wait four days to return to hiking" was my podiatrist's advice after injecting my foot with cortisone. He also suggested that I recover my orthotics with a different material that was less likely to cause blisters. Not only had a gotten the go ahead on a thru hike from my podiatrist, he was maximizing my experience by upgrading my orthotics. After four days, I did start hiking and things seemed great. Then, a few days prior to Christmas, I quickly slipped on a pair of dress shoes without putting in my orthotics. I was in a hurry. We were late for dinner with some friends, and I did not want to be rude. Well, by the end of the evening I was limping. So here I am a bit back at square one. I've pretty much doubled down on all the things I should be doing - calf stretches 3X/day, night splint (7 oz. to add to my base weight, thank you), liberal doses of Vitamin I, no barefoot walking even to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and orthotics at all times. The plantar fasciitis seems to be much better than it was a week ago despite my inability to comply with resting my foot (I did a 6 mile hike yesterday and a 7 mile straight up and back down a nearby mountain the day before yesterday). What I noticed was that the pain was much worse after hiking. Duh. Mind you, I'm a nurse practitioner, and you'd think I would accept this simple fact - rest is necessary to cure plantar fasciitis. I guess living in the land of denial is a nice, but in this case, a self-defeating place to be.So my resolve for 2016 is consult with a physical therapist on Monday. Rest for a few weeks (I will hate it, but rest works) and do all the other things that have always gotten my plantar fasciitis to resolve in about 2 to 4 weeks. I've also come to the realization is that there are many ways to hike the AT. If an early Springer start does not work, I will do a flip-flop from SW Virginia or Harpers Ferry or the Delaware Water Gap depending on when I am better. If I am still not better for any of those plans, there is always the SOBO option. A former thru hiker recently told me that flexibility was the key to success, that the AT, if nothing else, will drive home the point that my best plans often have little or nothing to do with the reality of a thru hike. I guess this is installment #1 of that lesson.P.S. - In my life, when all else fails, there is always the Magic 8 Ball, Obviously, I don't really believe in it, but it is kind of fun. It is a great way to make a complex or overwhelming situation a little less serious. Well, when asked if I would have a 2/25 start at Springer, the Magic 8 Ball says, "Signs Point to Yes" which is exactly what my attitude is right now. Springer on February 25th? Signs point to yes.Happy New Year!