I’ve learned that I can’t run for my workout every single day. While it’s my favorite style of exercise, it puts a great deal of impact on my feet, ankles and knees. When I first got interested in running, I wasn’t aware of the importance of a warmup and cool down. I wasn’t careful about stretching or my hydration habits. I owned a cheap pair of sneakers that weren’t designed for running. I’d simply tie my laces and head out. I’d run long distances and eventually developed plantar fasciitis in my feet. It was extremely painful. It affects the tendon from the heels to the toes. The arches of my feet felt like they were tearing open. I could barely walk and running was out of the question. The pain kept me awake at night. I finally went to see a podiatrist who told me to rest my feet, ice them and take Advil for the pain. He provided a custom-designed pair of inserts and recommended purchasing sneakers with better support. Although the sneakers were quite expensive, they were definitely worth it. I also researched the best ways to cure my foot problems. I learned the proper way to stretch and now devote at least fifteen minutes to my warm up prior to the run. I got back to running slowly, starting with very short distances. I made sure to intersperse those workouts with low-impact options. On my days off from running, I now stick with exercises that avoid stress on my feet, such as cycling, swimming or lifting weights. By taking much better care of my feet, I’ve been able to heal them.

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