While doing some cleanup in my yard a couple walking by on our country road called out to me to say hello. They looked familiar, though I did not fully remember them. I answered the greeting and walked closer, to continue our neighborly conversation. Debbie and Jim reminded me that we had met previously while walking.
I shared that I had not been walking much lately as I have been dealing with plantar fasciitis. Debbie replied that she too has been on a recovery path from plantar fasciitis, which she thinks she developed by walking up and down the super steep “Hill 99”.
Debbie and Jim became regular Hill 99 walkers, many months previously somewhat after I had told them about this very steep residential street loop that adventurous walkers may choose to use as their exercise ritual. There is even a “Hill 99 Club” https://www.hill99club.com/ for enthusiasts.
It was a surprise to me that Hill 999 walking could be implicated in developing plantar fasciitis. And in hearing her words I considered whether I should feel guilty, and decided I did not and should not. I can imagine some people reacting in my position. And speaking words such as: “Oh, I’m so sorry that I suggested Hill 99 to you as a good place to walk.”
I think the culture of saying sorry, sorry, sorry so much could fit in with my assumption that someone might put guilt on themselves for someone else’s hearing them doing something and being harmed.
In our conversation and I brought up that it had been an occasion to buy new shoes which brought a smile from Debbie, who also had bought multiple pairs of new shoes in the process of her plantar fasciitis and recovery. Debbie and Jim recommended the shoe store Montano’s in Saugerties, NY, an old time shoe store with people who know how to measure your foot and help you select appropriate shoes.
Our conversation also covered the getting better and that people do get better from plantar fasciitis. Debbie is much improved, but I don’t think she was fully better. She shared that it was the physical therapy and stretching in particular that she attributes to helping her get over the plantar fasciitis. I sheepishly said that I haven’t been doing my physical therapy, and decided and shared that I will now do my physical therapy. Physical therapy also includes standing on the slant board, which is something I’d be happy to do as well as deep muscle work that Anna taught me, which is myofascial release work. I noted that standing on the slant board, could be done as a meditation, and maybe that I need to replace my meditation for a few days with stretching meditations.
My experience today reminded me that communicating with other humans can be valuable to do even or especially when one has health challenges to overcome. I received encouragement, ideas and a feeling of commonality because I chose to enter into a deeper conversation. I chose to share that I had a physical problem, in plantar fasciitis, and that it was impacting me. I chose to connect at a deep enough level to share what was going on for me. I chose to be vulnerable.
My next step is to do my Physical therapy exercises, myofascial release work, and to stand for a long while on a slant board. And only after I complete these actions will I move on to doing the next important thing for me to do.