According Dr. Patrick List of the Sports Medicine division of University Health Services, there are two kinds of people in this world: "one gets a hangnail and wants to cry to [him] about it; the other will run until his or her leg falls off." In his expert opinion, I fall into the latter category. His diagnosis? A severe sprain. His treatment plan? First, I have to admit I have a problem: namely, an addiction to running. Second, I "just have to stop" (presumably, stop running though injuries). And third, I must wear this mini-boot for three weeks and refrain from running. Unfortunately, my next race happens to be scheduled for three weeks from this weekend. However, it seems I have developed a peculiar pattern: (1) sign up for a race; (2) begin training; (3) get injured; (4) stop running; (5) run the race; and (6) repeat. The efficacy of this approach will be tested, yet again, in the weeks to come.
