"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Broken toe = DNF!!!

Hi everyone! I’m sorry this took so long but I’ve had a short holiday and now I’m back at work where things are crazy.

Early days and gritting my teeth already!

Comrades did not go or ended as planned for me. I started feeling some pain in my left toe (one next to the big toe) after 15km of running. This got worse and worse and eventually it just felt as if I was running with a broken toe. Turns out I was…! Had to give it a stop after 67km with the pain by then really bad…DNF!!! I was also starting to feel pain in my right hip because I was compensating for the sore toe.

Legends (at expo)

I went to the doctor yesterday and he confirmed a fractured toe. I have no idea where this came from or what caused it. The doctor didn’t really believe me when I said the toe was fine at the start.

Doc: “but your toe is broken…”

Me: “I thought so. It did feel like a broken toe while I was running.”

Doc: “but why did you run with a broken toe?”

Me: “I didn’t, it started to hurt during the run.”

Doc: “but you ran with a broken toe”

Me: “it was fine when I started”

Doc: “you mean it didn’t hurt when you started?”

Me: “yes because it wasn’t broken when I started”

Doc: “that doesn’t sound right, your toe is broken”

Me: “is it a stress fracture?”

Doc: "I don’t know, it looks like a normal fracture…you sure it wasn’t broken before?”

Anyway that’s how it went for a while. So the toe is fractured and I’m more concerned about what caused it than the toe itself.


I’m obviously disappointed but I must say I am more concerned about the trail season that starts now. Hopefully this won’t put me back much. The fracture is at the front of the toe, below the nail and shouldn’t be a huge problem.

I’m going to test all my shoes while it still hurts to see if any shoes might be the cause. I’ll also take a look at all my work shoes. I think this was just waiting to happen on my next run and because the start of Comrades was all uphill it maybe came a bit sooner.

Men's winner trophy

Anyway, I still had a blast! The race is just awesome and nearly impossible to describe. However, it did confirm one thing for me…I was made for the trails. This road training and racing and all the masses of people just doesn’t do it for me. I’m not taking anything away from Comrades and agree, this is the greatest road race on the planet, but trail season is here for me now and I can’t wait!

Women's winner trophy

I’ll keep you posted on the toe and recovery and if I do find a specific cause you will know for sure. In the mean time I’m fine tuning my plans for the rest of the year with some big trail and off-road races approaching fast.

Route - Durban to Pietermaritzburg

I’ll post some photos of my run later this week.

Happy running everyone!

48 comments:

Ewa said...

Johann, I am so sorry to hear about your toe. Total bummer. The conversation with your dr is a classic though.
Hope you heal fast. Roads are tough on the feet but maybe a change of shoes or... going barefoot :) will help.
Can't wait to see the pics.
Take care.

tahoegirl said...

Ugh....the timing couldn't have been worse for a broken toe. So sorry to hear that. You are AMAZING and INSPIRING!!

Jill said...

I was heartbroken for you when I read on FB that you couldn't finish due to your broken toe! I love your attitude, though - you are such a trooper. I agree with you, finding the source to the problem is most important so that it doesn't happen again - it's been my moto since I started having PF problems. Hope you find your answer quickly!!!

Those trophies ar incredible - wow!

Nothing like the feel of the trails under your feet to get your spirits up and feeling great again :).

Shawn said...

Tough luck...love the conversation you had, kinda funny how sometimes people don't get "it". Hope you are back at it soon.

Christi said...

The conversation between you and the doc is hysterical but I am sorry you had to have that conversation.

I hope your toe heals quickly and that you have a wonderful trail season!

Kate Geisen said...

Your talk with the doctor reminds me of the Abbot and Costello "Who's on first" routine. Geez.

Very disappointing about the toe getting in your way after all the training,sot I'm glad you have the trails to look forward to. Hopefully you get the why figured out so that it doesn't stop you again. I'm with you...I sure love the trails more and am not a big fan of crowds...except (for me) when the crowd means there are enough slower people to keep me from trying to keep up with the fast people.

Daveawalker said...

Sorry to hear about your Toe.
Hope you can find the cause to prevent future reoccurrences.
Enjoy

Karen said...

How very odd - does make you wonder what might have caused it to happen. So sorry it had to happen during the comrades race though. It sounds like you still enjoyed yourself :)

KovasP said...

So nice that you have a positive attitude! Looking forward to the results of your investigation. The new race looks very promising.

Paige (The Last Doughnut) said...

I am so sorry to hear about your broken toe. I broke my little toe one time (wasn't paying attention and clipped the side of a door). I know it hurts!!! I also wanted to say how much I admire your positive attitude. It is catching!

Indi said...

Oh no!! So sorry to hear about your toe! That totally sucks...but I love your attitude! And yes..I agree wholeheartedly on this road running thing. I swear its more pain than worth it at times..and injuries are just waiting in the fold!
Speedy toe recovery and wishing you Happy Trails very soon!!

Tricia said...

bummer about the toe, but super impressed with your great attitude

Robin said...

So sorry about the toe, hope it heals up quickly.

Liz said...

Oh no! I can't believe the toe! What a shame. I guess your Doctor is not a runner! Hope you're back running soon.

Unknown said...

I am so sorry to hear about your toe! I actually broke my own toe yesterday, but I wasn't running the comrades marathon. Thinking of you and hoping your toe heals quickly.

Marlene said...

I'm so sorry about your toe! I hope you figure out what caused it so you can ensure it does not happen again and enjoy those trails this season!!

Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel said...

Oh man... I'll echo the rest of the comments that I'm so sorry to read this, but I'm also so impressed with your perspective on all of it. Your attitude is amazing, and I have no doubt it'll carry you through some incredible races later on this season, once you're all healed up.

Now get those bones back in order!

Emz said...

awwww man.

So
sorry
about
the
toe.

You have the best attitude ever though. You are so amazing.

Unknown said...

Johann, I am so sorry to hear about your toe. You have an incredibly fantastic attitude about all of this! I know you will heal quickly and be on those trails in no time!

Sending healing thoughts your way!!

ajh said...

Hope you are a speedy healer and get to those trail races you love.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your injury! I was checking in from time to time online on your progress. I am hoping for quick healing for your toe!

Char said...

How tough are you? You ran over 50k with a broken toe!! Talk about a high pain threshold. I hope you work out the cause.

Lauren said...

So glad that trail season is upon you. I really hope that toe heals up quickly. Love the doctor conversation. I've sorta had a conversation like that with an eye doctor when I injured my eye running. Your doctor, I'm guessing does not run.

Get well soon. Looking forward to some trail pics.

Laurie said...

I am sorry your race didn't go remotely as planned! What a time for a spontaneously broken toe.
Congratulations on handling the situation the way you did -- I probably would have had a tantrum :)

John Kynaston said...

Sorry to read about your toe.

Hope it heals quickly.

I agree about the trails!! Get off the road and into the hills.

All the best for the rest of the year.

Mark said...

So sorry Johann, hope it heals up fast...

Mike said...

Sorry to hear about the toe. That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard. Oh well at least trail season is here!!

misszippy said...

Oh I'm so sorry Johann! What a disappointment for you. I am so impressed with your great attitude about it all, however. I'm also impressed that you were smart enough to stop before you did more damage--not many people would do the same.

I have no doubt you are not finished with Comrades!!

The Green Girl said...

I can certainly understand your frustration. I would want to know how the injury occurred, too.

I am truly sorry about the DNF but I know you will conquer Comrades in the future.

Take care of yourself and I wish you the speediest recovery ever so you can be back out there where you belong!

Giorgio said...

I'm so sorry to hear that your toe
is fractured. I'm curiuos to know the specific cause considering that you felt like a broken toe while you were running.
It shouldn’t be a huge problem and I hope you'll enjoy those trails this season soon. Take care, Johann!

Char said...

I've only heard little bits from Andrew since Comrades. He managed a 9:43:?? I know he's ecstatic with the result but never wants to see another hill.

Lindsay said...

I'm so sorry to hear! Very strange that it came "out of nowhere". I hope it heals quickly and painlessly!

Lesley Looper said...

Sorry to hear about your toe, Johann! I can relate to the toe pain! Sorry this isn't the story you wanted to tell about Comrades, but you will be back! I think you have a great attitude! Thanks for being an inspiration!

Jennifer said...

67 kilometers is huge, especially on the road! Not a distance I can even imagine, yet. I love your attitude Johann, and yes YAY for trail season. Here's to your toe getting better FAST!

Thomas Bussiere said...

So sorry to hear about the broke toe. You put a lot of time and energy into this race, and I have no doubt you would have completed it. I'm with you - Trails are better then roads. Heal that toe, keep the fitness, and hammer the trails.

Detroit Runner(Jeff) said...

So sorry to hear this. I know you were really looking forward to it. One great thing....there's always next year! Hope you heal quickly!

Molly said...

That is so weird about your toe! I'm so sorry you didn't get to finish the race, but it's great that you're already looking ahead. Heal quickly Johann!

Amanda@runninghood said...

Sorry about your toe Johann! I have a feeling you'll heal quickly with your outlook for the future..you've already got plans and your toe will follow I'm sure. Thanks for the good luck!

Teamarcia said...

Oh Johann I'm so sorry for your disappointment. Of all times for a broken toe. I just know there'll be another Comrades for you in the future. You have a wonderful attitude about it--awesome!

Chris K said...

Well that really sucks. I was looking forward to reading about your triumphant finish to the best race on the planet. BTW, if I ever do race, I'm staying with you :-)

Black Knight said...

I am very very sorry for your toe. You are a running machine and this is only a little break in your career.
Take care, get well sun and come back to race faster than before.
Best wishes Johann!!!

HappyTrails said...

Sorry to hear about this Johann - we were out of town and wondered where the Comrades report was... Heal quickly so you can get back to what you enjoy so much!

Raina said...

Johann! So sorry to hear about your toe! That's just too bad..I am glad you could still enjoy Comrades, even with the DNF.

I sure hope you heal quickly and get back to those trails soo.

Quinton J said...

Johann...you are still my hero. Broken toe and all. Here's to running the Comrades together one day!!!!!

Unknown said...

Sorry about the broken toe.... Bummer! Glad you still made the best of things =D

Paul said...

Argh.. Sorry to hear about the busted tootsie. Hope you are healing up.

No race report from Staci..what's up with that?

Comrades is on my bucket list. I've actually been to S.A. before..looks like I'll have to go again someday ;)

racing dawn said...

Aaahhh man. I came to visit your blog today to see how Comrade's went... You definitely have a great attitude and you'll be back for sure!

Yay for trail season!!! Hopefully I'll make it out on some trails this summer too!!!

Good luck with recovery!

Amy said...

Just getting caught up on all the blogs and am so sorry to hear about your toe! I hope it's healing well, and you are taking the rest you need to get better. It stinks that you had to pull out of the race, but I admire your attitude about it. Glad you still had fun!