Discussion: Alternative training

It has been 2 weeks now since I accidentally have injured my pinky toe. X-Ray was done and toe was not broken. Why is it still so sore and swollen? It is only 1 month before World Cup in NZ and I can not train properly:(
Should I still run through the pain or train differently (e.g. swim/ride bike which I don't have yet).
I can happily swim 2-3km/session but not sure about bike - haven't used it for 15 years!

What do you think guys???

Do a lot of map reading, preferably orienteering maps.

If you can swim that far then go for it - that's a really good session. I haven't run for 2 months - I'm relying on my bike to keep me fit.

Oh yes ride a bike. I barely run at all if I can help it but my cycling keeps me fit in all sorts of ways. Also do some core strength work.

Three words: Deep Water Running

It is very difficult (impossible) to reach the level of aerobic effort required when aqau-jogging. In my experience it should compliment a cross-training regime of some form of more strenuous low/non-impact exercise (e.g. cycling or swimming). The reason is that if you just swim or cycle you will lose a lot of your biomechanical running efficiency. If you aqua-jog regularly you will still stimulate the running mechnics, but on it's own you won't be getting the aerobic training effect you need to keep fit.

Back in 10mila 2011, I hit my toe against one of the rocks during the first leg. I was still able to finish the race without any decrease in speed, but i remember the entire night after that I was having troubles walking without pain. A session with my physio, and he was pretty sure it wasnt broken, and I could continue to train on it. But it took me a half a year before everything turned to normal, and even a few times during the summer where i had to take completely off running for a few weeks to do biking instead.

My big solution in the end was to put a ton of insoles and cushioning in my shoes (think i ended up with three soles in that shoe, and it weighed something like 400 grams), and i was able to train better. Once hitting October and November i was able to train the way I wanted, but the big irony was I had to stay off the terrain and stay only on flat roads and track, which was really wierd thing. So the moral is, sometimes you just have to say "f*** it, lets just start training again, and see what happens." In my experience, it usually has gone okay, and most of the pains ive experienced were just phantom pains.

I agree with @bishop22. Pool running is the way to go. If you want a substitute your i4 and i5 trainings, you can be able to do that by duplicating the sessions you would otherwise do on the road. I have been considering it doing that myself, but have been honestly too lazy to start doing it yet. Since im feeling a few niggles for the moment, i probably will be doing that very very soon.

I broke a toe once. I ran in sandals which worked for me.
If not - do what Nixon said.
Don't fall off the bike.

Ditto, pool running. I found it took 6 to 8 sessions to get to a decent intensity and I had to be particularly motivated to reach a level 3 intensity. Bishop22's link gives some good information. Some of the stuff I've read is pretty lame, aimed at someone who just wants to keep fit.

Elliptical mimics running motion pretty well, and is weight-bearing.

Had another XRay this morning, toe is broken. Doc said, for the small bonnes it is not unusual, that breakage is not evident immediatelly, but now it is clear. True, she demonstrated both old and new prints to me. 4 weeks to heel, 5 weeks to the first race. Will do deep water running as advised. Will need to look for floatation device!
Thanks a lot for your input!