My Glorious Feet
When it comes to physical beauty, everyone has a unique attribute about them that sets them apart from the pack. Some people are blessed with beautiful hair. Others may boast about their great smile. And then you have the folks that rake in the dough as a foot model by having beautiful feet.
I'm not one of those people.
Those who know me have certainly heard me make a comment or two about my glorious feet. Ok, I'm blessed to have feet, not to mention the ability to actually use them. I accept that and am grateful. However, the genes don't work in my favor when it comes to these ole boats of mine. Here's a "run-down" on the history of my feet.
At the age of 5 --
I already had a hard time finding shoes because my feet were so wide.
At the age of 10 --
I had the feet of an old lady. My bunions were already forming and looked strikingly similar to those of my 80 year old grandmother.
At the age of 15 --
I was fit with custom orthodics in my shoes. I had to endure regular physical therapy sessions after experiencing intense pain in my bunion area when ski racing.
At the age of 20 --
I was now in constant pain. It would take me two weeks just to break in a new pair of shoes. I could only wear them for one hour at a time and if I went longer than that, I could barely walk. Often, I'd spend the rest of my day crawling if I had no other choice but to wear new shoes for long periods of time.
At the age of 25 --
I decided to undergo bunion surgery, one foot at a time, in an attempt to improve the quality of life. This resulted in me being on crutches for 1/3 of the year (I sported a non-weight-bearing cast for 8 weeks on each foot) and three screws in each foot. Best move I ever did (fast forward 15 years).
At the age of 40 --
Now that I'm into this triathlon and running stuff, all of these miles definitely take a toll on these feet of mine. In the last year and a half, my feet have swelled up so much during a long ride that they have felt like they will explode right out of the shoe. The medial plantar nerve that runs from the middle of my toes up to the base of my heel is often so inflamed during the week that I can not wear high heals to work. Thanks to the countless blisters and almost a handful of toenails fall off after a long run. Not all is lost though. Because of this, I no longer feel compelled to wear open-toed shoes, thus saving money in expensive pedicures and nail polish. As for a foot massage? Well, let's just say that there isn't a line forming outside my door...
Is this all really worth it? You bet.
In the end, I really do consider myself lucky that I have the physical ability to do the things I do. Throughout my life, it has been my feet that have posed the most challenge on any sports activities. Since the surgeries, though, things aren't too bad. I don't have to endure half as much pain as I used to have to go through, and I am able to find shoes that fit (at least most of the time).
Most importantly, I'm blessed to have the ability to race for a cause, raising money to help those who have to endure much more than I ever have. Knowing that I am able to help those in need makes it all worth while.
I'm so thankful for my glorious feet.
---------
Follow the latest chapter of my love affair as I train for the Gulf Coast Half Ironman. All proceeds I raise for this event will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You can help support my cause by visiting http://pages.teamintraining.org/mi/gctri09/andi
I'm not one of those people.
Those who know me have certainly heard me make a comment or two about my glorious feet. Ok, I'm blessed to have feet, not to mention the ability to actually use them. I accept that and am grateful. However, the genes don't work in my favor when it comes to these ole boats of mine. Here's a "run-down" on the history of my feet.
At the age of 5 --
I already had a hard time finding shoes because my feet were so wide.
At the age of 10 --
I had the feet of an old lady. My bunions were already forming and looked strikingly similar to those of my 80 year old grandmother.
At the age of 15 --
I was fit with custom orthodics in my shoes. I had to endure regular physical therapy sessions after experiencing intense pain in my bunion area when ski racing.
At the age of 20 --
I was now in constant pain. It would take me two weeks just to break in a new pair of shoes. I could only wear them for one hour at a time and if I went longer than that, I could barely walk. Often, I'd spend the rest of my day crawling if I had no other choice but to wear new shoes for long periods of time.
At the age of 25 --
I decided to undergo bunion surgery, one foot at a time, in an attempt to improve the quality of life. This resulted in me being on crutches for 1/3 of the year (I sported a non-weight-bearing cast for 8 weeks on each foot) and three screws in each foot. Best move I ever did (fast forward 15 years).
At the age of 40 --
Now that I'm into this triathlon and running stuff, all of these miles definitely take a toll on these feet of mine. In the last year and a half, my feet have swelled up so much during a long ride that they have felt like they will explode right out of the shoe. The medial plantar nerve that runs from the middle of my toes up to the base of my heel is often so inflamed during the week that I can not wear high heals to work. Thanks to the countless blisters and almost a handful of toenails fall off after a long run. Not all is lost though. Because of this, I no longer feel compelled to wear open-toed shoes, thus saving money in expensive pedicures and nail polish. As for a foot massage? Well, let's just say that there isn't a line forming outside my door...
Is this all really worth it? You bet.
In the end, I really do consider myself lucky that I have the physical ability to do the things I do. Throughout my life, it has been my feet that have posed the most challenge on any sports activities. Since the surgeries, though, things aren't too bad. I don't have to endure half as much pain as I used to have to go through, and I am able to find shoes that fit (at least most of the time).
Most importantly, I'm blessed to have the ability to race for a cause, raising money to help those who have to endure much more than I ever have. Knowing that I am able to help those in need makes it all worth while.
I'm so thankful for my glorious feet.
---------
Follow the latest chapter of my love affair as I train for the Gulf Coast Half Ironman. All proceeds I raise for this event will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You can help support my cause by visiting http://pages.teamintraining.org/mi/gctri09/andi
Comments