Pain in the heels when walking.. A 5K race tomorrow..?

Question

I'm a 14 year old 800M and 1600M track runner. I run 5K's from time to time, and one of my races is tomorrow (5K). Yesterday in track practice, I hurt my heel. We were doing some relays, and I was the person at the end of the line because I was the fastest. However, my line had one more person than everybody else. Some kid told me just to run it anyway, and I did. Afterwards, my heel hurt like crazy to walk on. The pain dissipated pretty soon, and people from my events and I ran an 800M timed. I was three seconds short of my PR, but after that, the pain in my heel came back. It hasn't left, and it's only gotten a little better. It hurts like a light pinch every time I walk now, and I iced it for around an hour yesterday. I have a soccer practice and game tonight. As I've said, I've a 5K race tomorrow morning. Also, I've a soccer game on Sunday, and track all week (with two meets). I'm thinking maybe I should just not run in the race tomorrow for my heel. Do you think this is smart?

Answer 1

Sounds like a pulled tendon -  let it heal.

Answer 2

I would advise against running the race tommorrow. Maybe try some less strenuous form of crosstraining such as bike riding that won't further your injuries.

Answer 3

Ever heard of over-doing it? you're body needs to heal.

when it does, try increasing flexibility in the tendon that connects the heel to the ball of your foot - my dad had a similar problem.... turns out he had torn them off completely.

you need to get off your feet, and let it heal. a good salt bath does wonders too. :D

to increase flexibility in this tendon, massage daily with a golf ball. (until you can literally walk on them without pain)

DO NOT RUN IN THE RACE TOMORROW!!

and if it still hurts in 3 days time.... off to the doctors!!

goodluck,

p.s. you are athletic, so staying off the feet may be difficult. *hint* swimming is an excellent non impact workout ;)

Answer 4

you are so stuck. if i were u i would not race. if u do it might get even worse after the race or maybe you get injured while in the race. it is wise to talk to your track coach. if u damage any of parts of the heels it cause more trouble for u. so, be careful.

Answer 5

choice #1

and dont play at least the first soccer game

Answer 6

Do your first few steps out of bed in the morning cause severe pain in your heel? Or does your heel hurt after jogging or playing tennis?

Most commonly, heel pain is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia — the tissue along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. The condition is called plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis).

Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing or burning pain that's usually worse in the morning because the fascia tightens (contracts) overnight. Once your foot limbers up, the pain of plantar fasciitis normally decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position.

In most cases, you can overcome the pain of plantar fasciitis without surgery or other invasive treatments. And you can take steps to prevent plantar fasciitis from recurring.