As I already knew, difficult to see stress fractures on an xray, however, there is additional thickening of the bone in new places, which means new evidence of more healed stress fractures!
Another possibility is compartment syndrome, explained as increased pressure (usually caused by inflammation) within a confined space (fascial compartment) which impairs blood supply, typically after injury, surgery or repetitive and extensive muscle use. Well, it is same leg as the stress fractures, and marathon training. But I don't have any tingling or loss of feeling in my feet, so that's good.
The only way to know for sure if there's still another fresh stress fracture is to go for another bone scan, but the doc wants to treat me conservatively anyway, so we're not going to bother. No running for 3-4 weeks at least. No cycling for at least the first week, maybe stationary bike next week, then progress to getting the ok for my road bike. I can't effin' believe this. Yes, it could absolutely be worse; there are many worse things in this world, no doubt. I will be listening to the doctor's orders, so that Glaven doesn't come over here and yell at me again.
Ok, here's my mind dump. You're more than welcome to stop here; I wouldn't even blame you.
- WTF!
- returned to running following a return from injury program, only when I got the OK from the doctor after another xray showed healed stress fractures. 7 weeks of walk/run intervals, slowly getting to 60 minutes of constant running, then followed a marathon training program right from the beginning
- consistent with my stretches, always
- dramatically changed gait. went from a heel strike, planting ahead of the knee, to a shorter stride, mid-forefoot strike.
- followed the 10% rule.
- despite normal bone density levels, still taking additional calcium/vitamin D for stronger, healthier bones
- orthotics to support my arches, and proper stability shoes, less than 500km.
- regular ART sessions when muscles feel tight
- focus on heart rate training slowed down my pace a lot... surely not due to speedwork
- I have been having fun, not out there pushing my limits with every run... why won't my body allow me to do this! Even the races I did were not for time, I went out to have fun.
- and since I'm watching TBL finale right now, I have to throw this in there. If they can run, why can't I. I didn't agree with having them run a marathon in last week's show -- couldn't help but wonder how many people would think if they could do it, then anyone should, and go out under-trained. How many people would think the same thing as what Mike said -- i'll just go out and run more and more everyday. Somehow just doesn't seem fair, but I know life isn't fair. There is no doubt that they trained hard, I give them that. Sorry, that was my "why me/poor me" statement for this post.
- I don't know how long it takes to see the thickening on the bone while healing up stress fractures, but I felt amazing for the 30k ATB race just a month a half ago. Felt great after that, and only started feeling tightness in my calf less than 2 weeks ago. When would I have gotten these stress fractures if I've been feeling good, considering they're healed/healing?
- I don't get it!!
- I really don't want to give up running, I've finally found something that I enjoy, look forward to, and have an awesome running group. I also would like not going through this every year.
- Gonna start some of the P90X workouts... loosely. Will do arms, back, chest, pretty much anything upper body, won't be doing the kickboxing obviously, and will wait for yoga, and just keep up with my regular stretching until I can put full pressure on my leg again
- oh ya, did I mention that I can put about 25% body weight on my leg today? Yesterday was zero. I guess that's a positive sign. Still using the crutches though to help continue the healing.
- is it just my body? am I really not meant to do this? Like I said in my last post -- while my heart and mind are ready, can by body fail me this badly, repeatedly?
- What am I missing?
So that's where I'm at. My HM in 3 weeks is obviously a no-go. Yes, I'm disappointed, but knew the possibility was there when I signed up for the marathon.
Ok, no more pity parties... needed to get this out there. I will refocus and try to be positive.
35 comments:
hang in there girl and say strong. i really have no words because i know how disappointed i would be... you did everything right. i can just say that i am sending every ounce of heal up fast vibes i have your way. you will get through this.
Mel, I don't know what to say. It IS SO unfair.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. There is the possibility it is not stress fractures or anything else, so I really hope it's nothing and that the doc is just being cautious. You will run many more races, no doubt about that. You are a fighter and you always will be. GOOD LUCK with everything!
PHEW!! I feel your pain, it is not fun to be told not to run. It is not fun to not recover when you've been doing all you can to recover. Life isn't fair. Once I started to run I wanted to run 1 marathon a year and already missed 2008 because of freakin foot problems. I have now chosen to be running shorter distances, that keeps me sane but I am still thriving for the marathon. We need to learn patience!! Do you want to run this year or for the rest of your life?? I've been asking this question to myself quite often the past year and sometimes it was right F'ing now and sometimes it was for the rest of my life. Do whatever it takes to get back on the road. Become stronger. I know the bike sucks.... lol
Anyhow, I'm wishing you all the best in your recovery. You are strong, you can go through this injury.
p-s give me the same speech when I'm the one down throwing the pity party because my foot is still not good!!
maybe you truly just need a little more recovery time? I'm no doc, but I know a lot of folks who post marathon (and yes I am still calling your race a marathon) need some serious time off for their body to come back from the stress.
to be honest I truly believe mental stress plays a huge part in the body's reactions. can you do yoga? seated stretching, seated weight lifting? find ways to get yourself moving now, you need some endorphins!!
I am going to send healing vibes your way! Don't get discouraged!
Gah, I don't know. Doesn't sound fair at all!! But I guess life isn't fair, is it?
Maybe when you get to running again consider a program that only has you running 3 days a week and do cross training the other days. Just a thought.
Oh, Mel. I'm so sad for you. Please know that I'm rooting for you and sending positive thoughts your way. Take care of yourself and take one day at a time. You will be full strength again soon and I can't wait to hear all about your journey to your next adventure.
Mel, I know it seems silly for me to say this, but don't be discouraged. Running is always a fine line between injury and recovery. It takes many, many years for your body to build up the kind of resistance necessary to avoid these kind of chronic injuries. When I started running over 20 years ago I would often get shin splints, torn ankle ligaments, knee injuries among other things. After years of weight training (lower body), reducing my wieght, running more on trails, and working with a heart rate monitor, I've avoided major injuries.
Give it time. You will get there.
Hey Mel - I'm really feeling for you now. I hope you're okay.
You don't need to make any decisions now - you're only two days out from the marathon - even if everything was working properly you'd still be buggered.
Try to relax, allow your body to heal and then start making decisions :)
Mind dump all you want. That's why we're here! All your frustrations and feelings are perfectly legitimate and totally understandable. You will be running again!
Mel, there is nothing worse than having an injury and it has happened to ALL of us! But listen to your body! it's asking for rest-take it no matter how hard it is, and by god it is SO HARD not to run!!! Go to pilates or yoga (pilates actually is a great workout for me and makes me sweat!) you might find something that compliments your running and makes you stronger!! you are doing everything right-don't beat yourself up!!
hi there,
greeting from bike lover ^_^
GAH! I'm so sorry, Mel. I don't understand it either.
Get some good healing...
Sorry to hear about the news. Hopefully, this time around things will fully heal up and you'll be able to start running again. Take care, hang in there.
Oh, I'm so sorry. I can imagine how you must be feeling right now. Try to stay strong. Better to take 3 weeks off than 3 months. Get yourself better so you can get out there even stronger!
Hi Mel
You will get back to running but I agree with the other commenters just scale back a bit??
I don't know, I should listen to my own advice huh???
HEAL FAST RUNNING FRIEND!!
Trust me when I tell you that I understand completely and I feel for you!!
The biggest lesson I learned in the last year (and you know it's been the same story as yours) has been to listen to my body. It sounds like you learned the same lesson.
When I signed up for the half marathon and then one month before the race decided I just wasn't race ready and that I wouldn't run it, yea, serious mental hurdles as a result. But ... I would rather skip some of that stuff NOW rather than skip all of it in the FUTURE.
Make a sign and hang it on your fridge; I am a life long runner. You can get through this.
You mentioned 7 weeks of run/walk and building up to 60 minutes of running then the marathon plan. What was the total amount of time between starting back to running and beginning your training? Just wondering. It's been 4 months back to running for me so far and I'm still 1-2 months away from actually starting training again.
Chin up Melanie.
I'm sorry you've had such rough new and are feeling frustrated. Sending you lots of hugs. I know that you have recovered from injury before and will do it again. Stay strong!
wtf is right! you took all the right steps, followed standard protocol, and trained smart. i can understand your disappointment and heartache over the current diagnosis and having to take time away from running. but, you will return! you won't be out on any 20milers any time soon but in a month or so, you will hopefully be out run/walking again and slowly rebuilding your base and fitness. take it easy and hope you can still find some alternative workouts to break a little sweat in the meantime. relax, get that body back to 100%, and you will be back on your feet soon enough. keep that chin up! thinking of you lots :)
All I keep thinking is "she doesn't deserve this!" You have the determined heart and strong mind for this sport... why won't your body cooperate for you??
I don't know what else to say, but good luck and try to keep your chin up. {HUGS}
Nuts! I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how disappointed you must be. I'm sending you lots and lots of healing vibes!!
I'm frustrated for you, especially having been there myself. I'm hoping the best for you. I hope this turns out to be something you can quickly recover from.
Hello there. I guess it has also something to do with your determination to overcome that challenge you are now facing. Be strong! ; )
VENT...get it out...you have EVERY right to be TOTALLY 100% frustrated. Who know why injuries happen? You have done everything in your power to stay injury free, BUT...your body is telling you something and for whatever reason you have to listen to it. It SUCKS!! That is a fact. Someday (I hope for your sake) you will understand why you are going through this. For now rest, relax and find a way to focus on recovery.
Your experience with receovery and rehab will help other runners..
Not to get all serious on you here, sistre, but maybe it's time to give up the dream of running a full marry.
I don't say this to be cruel - all I mean is you should think about it.
Because it seems to me that if you run and then blog about it and attract other runners to your blog and then you read their blogs, there's like this incredible pressure - both overt and covert; both subtle and in-yer-face - to become a "real" runner by running a marathon.
This - the you-have-to-run-a-marathon-to-be-considered-a-real-runner attitude - strikes me as utter bullsh*t; but some foax are such zealous proselytizers for the "you must run a marathon" view that it reaches almost religious levels of fervor. You see it on blogs all the time: "I finally started training for a marathon because I wanted to be a real runner" ... etc.
I personally don't subscribe to that religion and I have zero desire to run a marathon myself - even if Teh 'B. would let me!
Let me be clear, though: I give nothing but major propz to ANYONE who has run 26.2 miles, no matter how long it took them. It is an amazing feat and probably gives those who accomplish it a real, and EARNED, sense of pride. I also have nothing but respect for those who give encouragement and support to others who have decided to take on a full marry (I myself try to do that).
My point is: Ask yourself if you're doing this FOR yourself ... or because you are succumbing to the pressure and blandishments of those who have not taken your particular situation into consideration.
If you can honestly say you're doing it because you want to, then keep the dream alive and I will be right behind you, encouraging you.
But make sure that is, indeed, why you're doing it.
You're allowed to have a pity party. It's OK. It totally blows, no two ways about it!!!
I'm a 'retired' runner. Used to do the whole marathon 'thing' but my body kept failing me too. It could not take all the pounding 5-6 days a week. It wasn't until I got into triathlon (I call it the great mix up) that my body would tolerate running long distances again. I generally run 3 (4 tops) days a week (swim 3 and ride 3, +weights/core). The base that's built in multi sport will support a marathon, you're body can do it - maybe without as much of the beating. Not an easy answer for sure.
The worst answer I ever got was - stop running. I changed doctor's, not an option.
Sending you a big blogger hug-- if anything I hope you can get some of your frustration off your chest here because it IS frustrating to feel like you do EVERYTHING right and still can't get a break...I'm so sorry. BUT YOU WILL BE BACK OUT THERE. I mean, how strong must you be if you had stress fractures and didn't even know it? You are incredibly strong, your body is strong, and you will be back.
that is one serious brain dump. i do the same thing sometimes.
every now and then focus needs to change just to keep things interesting. i bet if you look around into some endurance bike rides or maybe into some bike races you will find unexpected joy. I did when i really started getting into biking.
and i had the same self doubt after my dns at myrtle beach marathon a couple of months ago. i had a bum left knee, left hip, shin pain, possible stress fracture, ankle problems, you name it. all from running. First i decided just to focus on biking, less pressure on the joints, no impact. then i picked up running again with a strength plan and i have been injury free so far while maintaining a nice endurance base.
what you do for pleasure should not be (or become) a source of stress. there are plenty of other fun things to do if you look hard enough.
also, you might want to look on amazon for a book called Tri Power. it's a core strength program that i swear has kept my legs injury free this cycle. it's amazing.
Oh Mel, I wish I had answers to your questions. You are right, it did seem like you did everything right.
Take some time to recover. Maybe this is a great time to hop in the pool and start swimming. Then soon you'll be able to get on your bike. All of that cross training will really help your body, and eventually your running. And as Missy said, she now runs less than before, but is by no means less active. Maybe this is the big push to start thinking triathlon..??
Hey there! I gave you an award on my blog! :)
I have no answers for you, so I'm just going to send {{{HUGS}}} and healing vibes your way! Hope the leg feels better soon and heals up and never gives you a bit of trouble again.!
Hang in there and stay the strong woman that you are! I have no answers but I'll be thinking positive thoughts for you. Sometimes we can do everything right but for whatever reason it just doesn't go as planned. It all works out eventually. I hope it turns around quickly for you.
Hey Mel... you did everything you could. Don't let this discouraged ya! It is not fun when there is a setback. However, there is an advantage when having a setback. It gives you the time to re-assess your current situation. It allows you to re-think what went right and what went wrong. We all have to go back to square one after dealing with a setback. Take advantage of it! Use the time to do an exploratory and find out what makes you love the most. It could be running, biking, swimming or tri. I do know some people have to give up running due to prolonged injuries. However, they never give up and they do find something else. Stay strong and think positive. Sending good vibes to you. (((hugs))))
I'm not experienced enough to have any advice or words of wisdom. All I can say is I'm sorry, this sucks!
Just catching up with your news after our holiday and I'm sorry to read about this. It sucks big time. All the best for you, Mel, and I wish you speedy recovery followed by a long injury free period ...
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