So...
It was confirmed as a "Moderate" case, which bought me a free pass to rapid surgery if I so chose.
I did not.
The bloody thing has put an enormous crimp in my training for the Fan Dance. Essentially, last week was the second foray since Xmas (the first led to an extra week or two of rest, because the inflammation hadn't full died down).
It was suggested by the Podiatrist that a shoe change might be in order. Stiff, with rocker soles (not those idiotic fad things, just shoes "where the heel must lift for the toe to touch the ground").
So, no more running shoes or trainers. My Claws are pensioned off and I now live in these:
I was really worried I would have to stop running, but the Salomon X-ultra shoe is fucking lovely to run in. Dartmoor mud, Wet Granite, Wet Grass and a river crossing? Nay bother!
Ran a 10K on the moors last week, no roads, several very steepclimbs, scrambling and a knee deep river crossing; in driving rain and force 7 winds. Lovely! Wish I'd realised the stiff shoe thing much earlier. The Hallux pretty much rules out a front strike when running though.
The Quest boots are almost identical except for the hight at the ankle. Again, similar route and conditions, but with a 45lb load and running the down hill sections only; no pain at all.
And no cramp!
I think the cramp problem I was having, might have been the result of a change in gait brought on by the pain of the Hallux. My right foot had become very "splayed" over the years; just changing shoes has brought it back in line. A lot of knee issues disappeared too!
Shoes! Just bloody shoes!
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