‘Some days I’m hopeful, some days I’m not’ – Katie Schide on injury heartache

The injury frustration continues for Katie Schide, with the UTMB and Western States winner still searching for a cure.

Last year saw the French-based American superstar shatter the course record when winning Hardrock 100, continuing a remarkable run which has seen her triumph in nearly every trail race that matters as she, Courtney Dauwalter and others have taken women’s ultrarunning to new heights.

But a hugely challenging spell battling persistent plantar fasciitis and nerve issues in her foot meant that Schide announced last month she wouldn’t be able to defend that title – and sadly it sounds like things haven’t really improved since then.

Pain is nerve-related

Writing on Instagram, she explained: “One of my goals when this injury first started was to continue sharing the truth in real time, not simply disappear and wait for things to be “normal” again. I admittedly didn’t do a great job sharing over the last couple weeks so I’m going to just jump in here with a full update 🙂

“During my couple weeks in St Moritz in April/May I was able to get some clear indicators that most of my remaining pain is nerve-related. As it turns out, there are A LOT of small nerves in the foot. We identified some as being sources of pain but there was also no definitive answer on exactly where, and exactly which one was struggling the most.

“I then headed back to France where I did a hydrodissection of saline fluid around the Baxter’s nerve to see if a simple physical separation around that nerve specifically reduced my symptoms and could potentially give a more clear diagnosis. But nothing changed.

More questions than answers

“Based on the multiple locations of my pain, we then explored the idea of tarsal tunnel syndrome and did a cortisone injection around tibial nerve in this region. This was the first cortisone injection of my life and felt like a very big decision, one that I discussed in detail with many medical professionals and eventually decided could potentially help lead more towards some real answers. Unfortunately, all it did was make things even worse and leave me with more questions.

“Three weeks later I feel like it’s finally wearing off and I can get back to my baseline pain levels again.

“Up next is more imaging and a trip to 🇺🇸.

“Some days I’m hopeful, some days I’m not. I’ve had so many people reach out to offer help, support, and simple messages and I thank you all for that. Let’s see what tomorrow brings :)”

Many of her fellow runners offered good wishes after the post was published, this one from Mathieu Blanchard typical: “Your longest and toughest ultra yet. You are a true champion, and we know you’ll make it to that finish line!”

Like them, everyone at RUN247 wishes her all the best for a full recovery and we hope to see her back on a start line soon.