At the beginning of 2024, my training for the Tokyo Marathon was interrupted by a sharp pain in my heel. An initial x-ray didn’t show any bone damage, but I was given a walking boot and crutches as a precautionary measure. An MRI was scheduled for the following week. Until then, I was advised to rest. However, as you’ll soon find out, I wasn’t the most obedient patient. Had my case been a stress fracture, I could have risked exacerbating my injury and been forced to stop running for months. I must emphasize not to take my lead. Always follow your doctor’s orders and consider rest as a part of your training plan.
January 5
Dear Walking Boot,
I need to apologize for our first meeting. I know the look on my face showed, er, disgust. Truth is, I’ve never been with a walking boot, so I didn’t know what to expect. Usually, I engage in all kinds of activities when I start a relationship. With you, hiking, dancing, and running are clearly off the table.
But...I’m keeping an open mind. At least you’re on my left foot, not interfering with my driving. And I should be able to run again in no time, right? Like, in a week or two, so I can resume training for Tokyo? I’m sorry if that’s a little pushy.
January 7
Dear Walking Boot,
I don’t mean to nag, but does your buddy Crutches have to join this party? I understand friends like to hang around, but this is a little presumptuous. I mean, no one wants to be the third wheel, right?
I think I’m already beginning to go stir-crazy. My phone’s search history reads: “stress reaction,” “how long does it take to recover from a stress fracture,” “how to resuscitate your bread starter,” “left-handed guitars for sale,” “will I ever run again??,” “baby names.” (Are you actually okay with me calling you “Walking Boot”?) I decided to give the stationary bike a go at the gym. It was soooo boring. I started reading Let’s Get Physical: How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World, by Danielle Friedman, to keep me distracted. The book is so inspiring, but it’s giving me major FOMO.
January 9
Dear Walking Boot,
Reading Let’s Get Physical motivated me to start floor workouts at home. Why didn’t I think of this before? I typed in my phone “strength exercises with walking boot” and found a 5-minute session on YouTube. I rolled out my yoga mat in front of our living room’s TV and took my dumbbells out of doorjamb retirement.
You know, it’s not so bad. The instructor on the screen is so encouraging. She said we’re doing great! I’m starting to believe we truly are. I know we can get through this together.
January 11
Dear Walking Boot,
I went to yoga tonight with some friends. The instructor FREAKED OUT when he saw you by the coat rack. I tried to downplay it, saying you were just a safeguard. We continued the class and I didn’t feel one ounce of pain. It’s nice to have those moments alone sometimes. Sorry if that hurt your feelings.
January 12
Dear Walking Boot,
Choosing to run on the track for a photo shoot wasn’t my best idea.
I’m sorry you felt ignored, pushed to the side, abandoned when I left you by our backpacks as I ran a few stride-outs for the camera. I was hoping you’d be supportive, but I could tell you were smirking when my brow wrinkled as I felt that familiar pain in my heel returning. I told you, I know you were thinking. You need me. After today, I’m afraid I’ll never be rid of you because of my hastiness. I know you’re laughing inside.
January 13
Dear Walking Boot,
My MRI results came back reading no stress fracture. My follow-up is in three days. There’s talk of a snowstorm coming our way that morning, but not even Hell’s fire will stop me from driving to my appointment.
January 15
Dear Walking Boot,
I’m hawking the weather app like it’s my favorite hobby, and I’m getting antsy about tomorrow’s forecast. But I shan’t be deterred!
January 16
Dear Walking Boot,
It was slippery, slidey, a death’s crawl to the doctor’s office. But I made it. The doc said it’s just inflammation in the heel. All I need is a few PT sessions before Tokyo. I can even run on the treadmill today—conservatively.
Our short time together has come to an end. You did teach me a couple of things: to stretch and lift more, to take time to read, to release my inhibitions and feel the rain on my skin. Oh, wait, that was Natasha Bedingfield. I know we tried our best to make this work. I just don’t need you in my life right now—and hopefully, never will, if I’m being honest.
This is where I leave you (or actually, return you). I sincerely wish you—and Crutches—the very best.
Sayonara.
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
