Cotter’s Corner

Well, about one hour before game time the other team calls us on Saturday to tell us that they aren't going to make it. So, we have a team 10v10 scrimmage. It was pretty fun. We played 40 minutes and 40 minutes. I played my usual spot but for some reason this week I didn't feel like I played as well. My legs are a continuing spot of bother for me, but I'm just trying to ignore them.

The scrimmage couldn't have been any nicer, it was cloudy and about 82 degrees. Just amazing weather for the end of June. We're going to have a few more practices here this week (Thursday and then on Monday when we are scrimmaging again). So, it should be pretty fun. 

Hopefully a couple of guys from work will sign up to play too. 

So, I haven't updated in a while so I thought I would keep everyone up on what was happening in the world of Soccer and old guys trying to act young.

We had our first "real" scrimmage on Monday this week dressed in our spiffy new uniforms and everything. The coaches split the team up into two groups. One group that is primarily defense and one that is primarily offense and let us have at it for three thirty minute periods.

We defensive people really did well for ourselves. We ultimately lost to the offensive guys, but only by 7-5. We didn't take an ass whipping or anything – we held up.

As for me, my body is slowly but surely getting more used to the idea of moving around. The soreness I experience after practice goes away in a day or so now and doesn't last for the entire week. Which is amazing, in and of itself. I'm wearing some pretty good shoes that I finally dropped some insoles into (cleats have NO padding on the bottom, so if you are playing on a hard field you might as well be barefoot on concrete). The insoles were a life saver! I had no "hot spots" on the bottoms of my feet and actually my legs felt better as the game went on instead of the other way around. Probably has something to do with my arches getting the support they need.

Soccer is a lot of fun to play. I've really, really been enjoying it. Work has been pretty crazy lately here too, but this is a soccer update, not a work update.

Lastly I'll tell you that we are playing a hispanic team this Saturday in our first "real" game. No, I don't consider playing the girls a real game, it was more of a scrimmage. So, we're going to have a real test of how crappy we are – and I can't wait! We don't know much about this team, so they could all have been playing together for years and completely destroy us – or they could suck just like we do. Time will tell I suppose.

I'll put up pictures as soon as I can since I know everyone enjoys seeing fatty doing something physical.

In lots of ways. I’m going to regret posting this here, but, I’m doing it anyway. Since common sense sometimes escapes me.

I’ve joined an adult soccer league.

I know, I know.

Our first practice was Saturday. I had an absolute blast. I had to leave the practice a little early since the parents were coming to the house for Ellery’s birthday, but, it was still a great experience while I was able to attend. There was a LOT of turnout. Probably 14 people showed up, which exceeded my expectations. Some were in good shape, while others (like me) were just hanging in there.

I can also freely admit that I am sore beyond all reason today (more than yesterday). But, it’s a good kind of pain. We drilled and then scrimmaged for a while, the scrimmaging was the best part – I even managed to grab one turn over while playing. Which I consider a massive success.

And the best news? All that running around and craziness had no effect on my foot. I was completely pain-free. So, I guess this means that I am going to keep doing it. After work today I plan on stopping and buying a few soccer balls to practice with and some cleats.

Our first match is against a group of 15 year old girls and I have NO DOUBT they are going to annihilate us.

Just for the record, I did see one foot doc (podiatrist), but I was less than impressed with things overall. I think he made the right diagnosis, I just don't feel like he was up on the new treatments for my stupid, stupid, stupid foot problem. I must have done something to it while running on it Monday because since then it's like I've bruised it. It's just insanely painful walking around on it. And if my gait is just a TINY bit off I have lightning bolts of pain in my foot. So, I can go back to the guy in my town and get him to give me yet another cortisone injection, or perhaps he will recommend surgery (which I won't do). Or maybe he'll make me some custom orthotics. I just need to see someone else about it. Because it's really getting to be a pain in the foot (lol!). Ugh.

I should just do it next week and get a little good news for a change. That'd be nice. 

Week1/Day2 is complete and I had no issues whatsoever while running. I didn't feel as great as I did on the first day (probably adrenaline) as I kind of chugged a little with my breathing, but physically I experienced no discomfort. The shoes also felt a lot different to me. I bought these shoes…

They are Brooks Beasts (2007 Model). I have a pair of the 2004 model as well and these feel different on the bottoms (more spring) and the upper feels a lot cooler while running, I can really feel the airflow moving around my foot – much more than the previous model. These are also shoes that help with motion control, so, it makes my ankles feel good. And lastly, they are designed for those of us who are a little bigger (6,2 – 225). So when I heel strike I don't destroy my knees. All-in-all they felt great last night and probably the best news is that I have ZERO foot pain with them. Which is better than the other pair. And these are also correctly sized for my feet (Size 12 versus a Size 11). It's these good shoes that will keep me from having an excuse to not run.

So I ran last night. And it was good. I felt fantastic. No foot pain while I was running (a little after the fact, but manageable – so I'm not whining). I am excited to get my new shoes. I wish they'd hurry up and ship the damned things. I decided to stick with the Brooks Beast but I did get the newer model. Supposed to have some really cool new technology built in, so I'm anxious to compare it to the previous generation of shoes.

I am also very excited that there are now 4 other Ars people (and non-Ars people, right Marc?) who are taking up running via the Couch to 5K program. Not sure if Marc is on that plan or not, but we'll assume he is.   Anyway, I'm debating making a post out of it on Ars and getting more people to sign up and participate. I sure could use the encouragement. Well, as I was writing this I decided to go ahead and make a post – it is here.

May 8 will be the day that I begin the Couch-To-5K program once again. I've tried it two times now. The first time was almost a success as I made it all the way to week 7 (two weeks from the end) and only stopped because of the holidays. I'm an idiot for stopping. And then I tried it AGAIN and had to stop due to my left foot being in agony (Thanks Morton's Neuroma!).

My new plan is to start again tomorrow. I'll run Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (I think I like the schedule at this point).  I may run tonight tho, so we'll just see how it goes. I'm hoping that my foot holds out. I am also armed with some new information. Seems that your feet continue to grow well past the normal stages that you think your body changes. So, I discovered that while I'm currently in some size 11 shoes – that I should actually be in some size 12 shoes. Who knew? I got fitted at Team Nashville and they advised me to get the correct size before I look to expand the size of the toe box since the main problem is that the biggest part of my foot isn't inside the biggest part of the shoe.

So, new shoes are on order, but the guy at Team Nashville told me how to lace up my existing shoes to get them to fit better.

If that doesn't work I've read lots of good things about the alcohol injection treatment working for Morton's Neuroma patients. That is going to be my Plan B in case of pain.

I am also VERY pleased to see that two of my on-line friends are also taking up the C25K plan. Cailin Coilleach & Wynk are both taking up the challenge. Wish us all luck.

So I know everyone has been dying to know about how well my Morton's Neuroma in my foot is doing. Well, I'm pleased to report that with new shoes and a lot more attention, things seem to be going well. I bought a size larger dress shoes for my everyday wear (and in a wider size), and they've worked out great. I am also trying to not walk around bare-foot. To date my foot has become a little agitated but nothing like before. So, that's a good thing. I also went hiking with my son last week at Edgar Evins State Park and we did about 4.5-5 miles of rigorous hiking with assorted rock climbing thrown in for good measure. No problems with the toes and/or feet. Huzzah!

First of all, let me wind you back to Wednesday (2/21) – I was feeling sick pretty much all day but there was NO CHANCE I wasn't going to take the wife to go see Billy Joel who was here in concert. The show was FANTASTIC. It was a really good show. Went about two hours and he sang a wide selection of songs. Well worth the money to go and see, even if it kept us up late on a school night. Billy Joel sounded great and the show itself was just well done – never boring. No breaks or anything – they just played right through.

So, the next day I was tired and feeling pretty crappy but I sucked it up and went to work anyways. Met with my old ShopAtHomers at Hooters for lunch and then sat in my office and cried the rest of the day. Friday I got up and decided that I needed to go to the doctors office and after sitting for 1.5 hours I got in and got a shot. I laid around all weekend (Yay!) and generally felt crappy, but started to get better on Sunday afternoon. I really hate being sick but I suppose I had to get this out of the way. It's now Tuesday and I'm still coughing a little and I can't hear out of my right ear (stupid ear infections – I can sneeze and get one). But I'm not complaining (much). I'll be happier when I'm done coughing and can hear again. 

I need to get back focused on seeing a foot doctor – but since I've been trying to take care of my feet – the neuroma hasn't been bothering me much. Which is ANOTHER good thing. I got new shoes and I've been wearing my bigger shoes and that really seems to do the trick. If I go pain free these last few days of sickness I may jump on the mountain bike this weekend (or maybe walk – but definitely one of those two). I really have the bug to exercise.

So, this is without a doubt the longest my foot has continually bothered me. Seems like it starts to feel better and then I step wrong and instantly the pain is back. So, aside from walking funny – it's damned painful. I asked the fine folks over at Cool Running (The Med Tent Forum) for a little advice and I got some pretty good replies – one that actually gave me some hope!

Quote Start– 

I had surgery back in 2001 on one foot. Thre is no problem with that foot now except for a minor loss of feeling in two toes.

For the other foot, in 2003-2004, I went to a different podiatrist. I wanted to explore options other than surgery. The new Dr. recommended a series of injections with an alcohol based solution. I had five or six injections. It cleared up the problem. That foot is now pain free and there is no loss of feeling in the toes.

I would recommend that you talk to your podiatrist. If the Dr. thinks that surgery is the only option, you might want to talk to another podiatrist about treatment other than surgery. Although surgery will remain an available option.

Quote End–

So, I think I've pretty much decided that I need to go see a different doctor at this point. My old boss recommended a guy with a group downtown here, I'll go see them I think, since they deal with some top-end people (read:pro athletes) and probably would know about this "alcohol" treatment. Oh man, if I could get something to treat the Neuroma, without surgery, that would be ideal. My wife is calling me a girl for not wanting to have surgery on my foot – but she obviously hasn't read the stories that I have that talk about the remedy sometimes being as bad as the cure with Morton's Neuroma.

In the meantime (to try and help the annoying foot pains), I went to Footsmart.com and bought some different kinds of feet support inserts especially made for Morton's Neuroma. I have one in right now – and while it DOES seem to be helping, I'm still kinda gimpy. Meaning that it is helping somewhat, but I'm still managing to hurt the spot – somehow.