For the past month or so, I’ve been sidelined by Spring Break, sick kids, and most recently, a foot issue. Three weeks ago, I had a minor foot surgery on my right foot. Since then, I’ve been trying to cope with pain while doing my every day activities (this was typically accomplished by limping, because I am a big baby, apparently) and figuring out how to exercise and wear the appropriate footwear while still looking cute.

I had some pain on my heel for a while- I’m embarrassed to admit how long I just dealt with the discomfort, but it was about two months- but it had begun to feel like a piece of glass was stuck in my foot. It was time to call the podiatrist.

It turned out, I had a plantar wart on my heel. Without going into too much detail, because ew and also Google, a plantar wart is caused by a virus and grows in moist dark places. Like the sweaty sock of a runner.

My doctor scooped out the wart and some of the surrounding skin and tissue (which basically left a hole in my foot) and gave me strict instructions for cleaning (and soaking. Twice daily. Which was actually kind of a nice break.) and proper footwear: a thick athletic sock and sneakers. Oh, and it would probably take a month or two to fully heal.

Getting prepped for minor foot surgery. Also? I need a pedicure.

The only thing I asked was if I could continue to run, and he said that I could if I felt up to it. Well, he must have had a good laugh when I left the office because once the anesthesia wore off, I didn’t even want to stand. I hobbled around for a few days before hitting the elliptical at my gym.

Watching “My Drunk Kitchen” while I work out. I think I love the elliptical.

I knew the shoe thing would be a problem. I adore my shoes. Not sneakers. Heels, sandals, ballet flats. You know, pretty shoes. And definitely not sneakers with skinny jeans, which are the only jeans that fit me right now. Still, I wore my sneakers most of the time.

Es-shoe-ing the rules. Get it? Okay, that was lame. Almost as lame as this looks now that I think about it.

We traveled to NYC last week, and I pushed myself a little too hard the first day (we walked about 3 miles, and I carried a 17 pound baby and a diaper bag), so we had to cab it for the rest of the trip.

Enjoying the city with my girls. (and look, Dr. Fink, I’m in sneakers!)

Yesterday, I checked in with my doctor. I don’t have to clean and soak my feet any more, and I think I can wear other footwear (he didn’t say I couldn’t! And I didn’t ask. Oops.). I’m also ready to get back to running this weekend.

Have you had a plantar wart or other foot problem? What’s your favorite cardio when you can’t run?