Part two of this blistering series; for part one go here: https://andrawatkins.com/2014/01/20/waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop/
I didn’t give up on a new pair of comfort shoes. I caressed every pair in the Camper store, wondering how my chiropractor would score them.
And, if I didn’t have the image of his approving/disapproving face in my head, I still had the pain in my right foot.
My feet are my workhorses right now. That’s for sure. I’m up to Natchez Trace daily walk length (fifteen miles a day) three days a week. When my right foot started hurting a week ago, I wasted no time. My feet still have a long way to take me.
I absolutely cannot quit.
I sat in my chiropractor’s office, expecting him to flog me for my preposterous plans. (Because, of course, I never went to see him or any other medical professional before I decided I could walk 444 miles in 34 days. I just knew I could do it.)
That’s why “You have a dislocated talus” is not something I wanted to hear.
“A wha-wha?” I said, as the chiropractor eased off my shoe and cracked my foot this way and that, while I tried to hide the ugly blisters I’ve developed.
“All this training has strained your talus. It’s the area of your foot where your ankle comes in. I’ve popped it back in place.” He slipped my shoe back on my foot. “Pretty common injury, actually. I see it a lot with my athletes.”
I’m an ATHLETE??????? Surely, all my PE teachers are somewhere, laughing together hysterically.
With orders to ice my foot after every outing, to wear good shoes and to see him once a week, he sent me on my way.
“That’s why I really need these Campers. Right here, MTM.” I wagged a shiny pair of black leather in his face. “And look. They’re on sale. The chiropractor practically wrote me a prescription for these.”
MTM rolled his eyes and took them to the counter. “If I submit an insurance claim, will they reimburse me?”
57 Comments
Good luck with the talus. I have as little trust in chiropractors as I do in shoe sales people. They just cost me a lot of money. Here’s to your imminent conquest of the Natchez trace…..for my part I’m going to suffer the harsh trials of making a mango tatin….I haven’t decided which will be the safest shoes yet:)
Mine is very well-regarded, but I know many are shifty.
I wish I could place a standing order for mango tatin………
I liked how you added chiropractor in the middle really nicely. Good tempo does MTM stand for initials or man the man hahaha
MTM are my husband’s initials.
I hope those aren’t actually the shoes you intend to walk 444 miles in! You need proper hiking boots 🙂
These are new fun shoes. I am wearing a pair of lightweight sneakers for dry days and waterproof hiking boots for wet days. Both approved by my chiropractor.
That’s a relief 🙂 and varying them is supposed to be better for your feet too. I like your fun shoes, just not to walk 444 miles in!
More cute and ouch. Take care of those feet you’ve a long way to go!
Doing my best. Ice every day.
Never heard of a talus before, but sorry to learn that yours is dislocated. Your desire to walk the Natchez Trace is inspiring. I need to decide to do something monumental like that, so that I’ll get back into walking.
[If you don’t mind me asking: what kind of shoes do you wear to do that? Walking? Hiking? Running?]
Running sneakers and hiking boots, depending on the wetness of the day.
Thanks. Just curious. Good info to file away should I ever get the gumption to do a major trek.
As someone who has painful feet due to years of injuries, including sprains, breaks and strains, I urge you to take care of your feet. Otherwise, you’ll be like me and have aching feet if you walk more than a mile.
I am having weekly adjustments at the chiropractor now, and he’s sending my whole file with me on my trek, should I need adjustments there. I’m really pleased with how well my feet are holding up to this abuse so far. My biggest problem is how tired I am by the end of the day. Sometimes, I can’t hold my head up.
I know you’ll make sure you eat plenty of protein to keep you going strong.
Well, well. On sale. They will practically pay for themselves with the savings in doctors bills and ointments. How could you resist? Wait, I am sure you didn’t.
And don’t think the bicycle leggings went unnoticed. Just a touch of MTM there, so to speak.
I bought these socks for MTM, and he refused to wear them, so someone had to.
Lol
It was a fun day, in the end.
I’ll be praying that your Talus heals nicely and you are able to continue your walking. Everyone is very proud of you.:)
It did great today on my ten mile trek. Thank you, Shannon.
Arrrgh. Glad he popped it back into place. But eeeeee. Glad you’re getting good medical attention.
I don’t usually like to wear shoes, but I would wear the shoes in the photo. Want them!!!! And um were the tights an MTM suggestion, since he’s into antique bikes?
Ha. I bought those socks for MTM. Even though they are black and grey, two of his required colors for anything, he refuses to wear them.
At the risk of sounding like a shoe salesman, I have a pair of Keen Delaveagas that were designed for disc golf. They’re waterproof, light, and durable. They are the best light hiking shoes I’ve ever had. They probably make a women’s version. The laces are offset a little and don’t crimp the blood supply on the top of your foot.
I’m wearing the Keen hiking socks, and I love them. I’ve never bought a pair of Keen hiking boots. I should consider them the next time I’m in the market.
All the little details, even when difficult, makes the story much more interesting,
I get the feeling that the walk is going to be great, no matter what happens.
Nice shoes.
I was hoping people would feel that way about these posts. Thank you for saying that.
Well. I’m glad that is settled. You sure those are comfortable?
They are, for urban walking on a trip. I will not be wearing them on my 444 mile trek.
Oh Andra I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your tights and your shoes!!! Love, love, love them. Have I told you that I love your tights and shoes? Ha.
I love the Camper twins. They don’t quite match, and that’s what’s so great about them. 🙂
By the way – I looked and looked for a comfortable pair of shoes to take to Ireland – finally found a pair of Keen sandle/shoes that I absolutely adore! Love them, they’re worn out now though…
Another Keen fan.
Well, if they’re on sale and shoe fits . . . . Need I say more?
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
You need not say more, Kathy. I’m right there with you.
Totally cute, especially with the funky tights. I completely approve of this choice for looking chic, while not compromising comfort. Great choice Andra! Hope they served you well in the land of Gaudi.
I only wore them the last day. Sucked the last few hours of life out of the Clark’s, and threw them away there. It’s always nice to leave little pieces of oneself behind in places we love. 🙂
I have left many a shoe in hotel rooms around the world. Mostly because I curse them to hell after inflicting so much pain on me. 🙂
they are so cute and worth their cost in gold
I was glad they took plastic. Ha.
My dear, you’re cracking me up in ways you don’t even know. Yep, those bicycle feet are a hoot (and a clue) and even funnier, since it was David Lynch’s birthday yesterday, I was watching this favorite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0zb_baTzkk
And thinking of that long walk you’re taking. It took Alvin Straight 6 weeks to ride at about 5 miles and hour to his destination. If your talus goes all Talos, I see a John Deere in your future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdgY9vgRcRw
Take care of those toeses, or Moses Supposes it won’t all be roses.
You should’ve heard my talus crack this morning at the chiropractor…………
Cute Campers. 🙂 I’ve had the same talus adjustment from my chiropractor and can’t believe how much better I feel when walking, I hope it helps you!
So far, so good. Glad to know someone else who went this route to treat it, and with success.
I LOVE how you are subtly pandering to MTM by wearing bicycle-themed tights with your new shoes. And I love the scissor detail!
I’m sure you’ve seen by now that these socks are MTM’s, but he won’t wear them. He thinks they’re gaudy.
I had another pair of Campers like these (except without the sewn bits) several years ago, and I wore them to death. The scissor detail is really nice, because it dresses them up just enough to be acceptable on nicer outings.
Ouch. A dislocated talus sounds painful.
It feels like a sprained ankle, really.
Oh. A slightly lesser ouch then, but still ooh!
Of course not. But they WOULD write him one for the helicopter crew necessary to rescue you if your talus gives out somewhere on the trail between bumfuck and north screwball Natchez.
I am an optimist. It’s not going to give out. 🙂 It’s already so much better than it was.
Which of my crocs would you like to borrow? The bright pink ones or the neon green ones. I think MTM would be happy with the cost of crocs. 🙂 I am glad you can continue your venture and go see your chiro every week so he can click your talus back in place!
It sounds so weird when he does it.
I didn’t know we had a talus. Maybe being a “non-athlete” I don’t have one. 🙂 I’m really quite concerned for you, but you appear to be most determined. I will just continue to wish you well with all this crazy training. You are a woman with a mission, and a vision. ox
I am concerned for me, too, but I know this is the right thing. I don’t know if you saw my comment to Penny, but this is a yoga injury, not a walking injury, though the walking surely aggravated it. Now that I know how I dislocated it, I will avoid that series of yoga poses.
Love the shoes – and love, love the biking socks, which are quite fitting a pair to wear when buying shoes with MTM.
Ouch! regarding the talus, but, seems like you are hooked up with a chiropractor attuned to sports injuries and a pro-active action plan, Andra. Hope you are not in too much pain.
No pain at all now.
I actually figured out how this is happening yesterday. It’s from yoga, not walking. I have been working on rolling my feet from up-dog to down-dog, and that’s how I injured my talus. The first time I did it in class yesterday, I knew. No more of that for a while.
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