and the verdict is in... *sort of*

I had an MRI on Saturday and the followup yesterday where the Dr. showed me some of the problem areas in my foot and ankle. Its not broken. So that's good.

Its not acutely torn, so that's good too.

But everything else is a mess. From their reports:

1. No evidence of acute fracture, stress fracture, dislocation, bone contusion or significant bone marrow edema of the left ankle or hindfoot, particularly the calcaneus.
2. There is a small subcortical cyst in the superior aspect the calcaneous just deep to the insertion of the subtalar ligaments
3. Small ankle joint effusion but disproportioned pooling of fluid  posterior to the tibiotalar and subtalar joint and fluid within the tarsal sinus
4. Tear of the anterior talofibular ligament, but I suspect that this is of long-standing.
5. Mild Achilles tendinosis but no evidence of Achilles tendon tear.
6.  Edematous changes and fluid posterior to the Achilles tendon felt to represent a combination of peritendinitis and retro-Achilles bursitis
7. Retrocalcaneal bursitis

******** ADDENDUM #1 ********
There is a small amount of fluid within the posterior tibialis tendon sheath. This may indicate mild tenosynovitis, although the posterior tibialis tendon itself is intact.

Ultimately, I am not that kind of almost-doctor, so I really don't know much about what is going on, but this is not necessarily good. I don't need surgery. I don't have any breaks. But it is a soft tissue (with multiple injuries as has been explained to me), so it means it will take time. And rest. But mostly time.

I am looking at 6 weeks in my boot (at least), but thankfully I have been cleared to ride my bike without the boot to allow for some cross training. And I have been cleared to run 3-5 miles twice a week over the next 2 weeks.

But best of all, I have been cleared to run the 6 in 6 series I have been training for. I agreed to wear the boot to and from the races and wear the boot as if it is my full time job for the next 6 weeks, and in exchange I get to run my series.

Obviously I will have the option to slow down to a walk if I need to during this event, but did I mention that I get to at least try to run it?

The Dr. warned that the pain may be excruciating, that I will need to be taking pain killers and anti-inflammatories through the whole trip, and that ice is a must.... but he isn't discounting me altogether.

In the meantime, I may be allowed to run 78.6 miles in 6 days 2 weeks from now... but I also have a handicapped parking pass and have been told to use it. Seems kind of amusing to me.