Small Setback

So, I was stupid to run as much as I did last time. I have developed a classic case of metatarsalgia in my right foot. Metatarsalgia is the inflammation of the metatarsal heads in the foot - aka the balls of the foot. I only have symptoms in my right foot on the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals. This is very frustrating but I understand it was my own enthusiasm that did this. After doing some reading about the injury I have learned this is very common for people starting out barefoot running. When I've lived nearly my whole life in shoes I shouldn't be surprised - barefooting is a drastic change.

I haven't run since Monday and will be taking at least another day or two off until this pain goes away. It has already subsided substantially. Though I had no pain in this area after I ran on Monday, by the end of the following day I could hardly walk on my foot. It has improved since then and today I have to really focus to even feel the pain. Many people severly hurt their foot this way and have to take several weeks off to recover. I'm hoping to only be resting it for about a week.

My frustration level is high but I understand this is just part of my experiment - lesson learned!