I've been walking/running for a couple of months now. I go for 30-35 minutes. Most of it is walking, but in the middle is 6 1-minute running intervals with a full minute of walking between them. I'm working up to increasing my stamina. I started out only running 20 seconds with a minute and a half of walking between each interval, but that's beyond the point.
Unfortunately, I somehow managed to injure the big toe on my right foot. It makes it uncomfortable for me to walk if I'm on my feet for too long, so I've slacked off to walking/running 3 times a week, hoping the off days would give it time to heal. Nope.
It hurts to lift up, but worse to squeeze down, and the base of the toe, and that curving area under it feels tender when pressed. It lessens a bit if I'm lounging around the house, but when I'm on it too much (like walking to my parents' house next door, walking in town, exercising ect.) the pain come back.
I've been taking Ibuprofen, and soaking my toe in hot epsom salt water when I remember. My husband suggested I try to work it by rubbing it and wiggling it around, thinking it might need to pop. I've been doing that, and have gained more movement and a little less pain. The day before yesterday, I pressed my fingers deeply into the bottom top of my foot and pushed my toe down and it made the loudest pop twice, like the snapping of a finger. I feel movement when I wiggle the toe now, like something is trying to pop.
I can't go to the doctor since we're having financial problems. It's been like this for a couple weeks-- 3-4. Does anyone have any suggestions? Do you think I can still walk/run a couple times a week to keep my stamina up?