I stepped in glass three weeks ago and I’m worried I won’t be able to run properly again.

I am a barefoot runner and have had lots of gruesome injuries to my feet over the years. In the past year I was forced to start wearing shoes because hawaii roads are toxic to bare feet, and two extraction surgeries have removed (glass metal piece grass)(glass metal shaving rock) from my feet. They heal very well and work perfectly fine every time. The shear quantity of damage to your feet is probably the biggest setback. Marathons never had an injury, but spartan races and trail races i have had flaps cut, gouges, slices, etc... a couple weeks off afterwards and they are back to good. Best of luck with your healing!!!

Another barefoot runner here. The ability of the human foot to heal keeps amazing me. I haven't had any deep gashes, but I survived two broken toes and a deep-ish skin infection that required surgery (which, ironically, I got from wearing shoes so that I could keep running on a blister). All three took fairly long to recover from, between 3 and 6 months, but none of them still impact my running. In fact I ran a hard trail marathon between the broken toes, and while it took me an embarrassing 6 hours, the toe was not a problem whatsoever (the heat, and my lack of training, however, were).

I would consider doing physiotherapy or something since you still have pain. This did happen to my brother, not me, and he recovered fully and can run normally. Hang in there and be patient, with time I am sure that you will heal completely and be able to run properly again :).

Obligatory not a medical professional, but I had something similar happen about 7 years ago where I sliced open the bottom of my foot and big toe on broken glass while walking in a lake. It felt like I would never be able to stretch my foot all the way again, and took about two months to feel normal again if I remember right.

Give it time and watch for infection; I used iodine right after it happened, then Neosporin with some anti scarring properties, then lotion/scar cream after it had completely healed. Didn’t see a doctor about it, though probably should have, and there hasn’t been any lasting negative impact on my life from the injury. Not medical advise but that’s what my experience was