Generally, I'm pretty easy to please. I absolutely appreciate, value and love the little things in life. Running is one of them.
Training has been going fairly well.... but body vs. mind is wreaking havoc once again. If you've followed this blog long enough, you know that my lower left leg has given me nothing but problems. Stress fracture in August 2008, then again in May 2009, different spot.
I have orthotics, I've had a gait analysis done, and subsequently worked on my gait to stop heel striking, landing with more of my forefoot. I've spent a good amount of my hard-earned dollars finding the right shoes for me. I've started back from scratch both times, rebuilt my mileage slowly, and have stopped focusing on pace. I'm taking extra calcium and vitamin D daily despite having had my bone density tested and getting normal results. I'm cycling, swimming, strength training, and stretching as part of my normal routine. I've reduced the number of runs down to two days per week, yes, only two. The few times that I've done any back-to-back days of running has been a 10 minute run off the bike on the second day. I have been running less than 20km/week since July, reaching only 65k for the month of January, and only 41km so far this month! (I have my daily log, I can prove it!!) I'm in no way comparing myself to anyone... but some of you run those distances in one weekend! I'm doing what I NEED TO DO, for me.
I have played by all the rules.
So why is that my left leg still causes me to worry? I have some slight pain... not always, but sometimes. Little waves of pain, even as I sit here on my couch with my legs crossed, laptop on my lap, I get a little reminder. A small wave of hurt. Sometimes it feels like a burning... or what I picture dissolving would feel like. But yet, I can do the Plyometrics workout of P90X and not feel a thing?!
I'm frustrated but trying to stay positive. I really don't know what to make of it. I look at all I've done, all that I am doing. I believe that I've learned from my mistakes... yet it remains a thorn in my side, a pain in the ass leg. Muscular? Skeletal? Mind playing tricks? I wish I knew, and could just figure out a way to get past this. Obsessively, I press along my tibia to see if I can find the source. I've certainly found some tenderness near the site of my first stress fracture, but it's not terrible, also doesn't feel like it's right on the bone, but what do I know? Due to the re-calcification of the bone, I've also heard that it's not all that common to get another fracture in the same spot. Here's to hoping.
I'm not ready to give up yet.
Am I totally hyper-sensitive? I'm getting a little tired of 'running scared.'
31 comments:
Are you hyper-sensitive? Absolutely not! I can't blame you for being scared. I would be concerned also. I wish I could help you, but of course I have no idea what it is. Perhaps icing it would help. Isn't ice supposed to be the "cure all" for running injuries?! I guess all I can say is take it easy and I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you. Sorry I'm not much help.
You are preaching to the choir! I keep thinking one day everything will come together for the better but it hasn't happened yet. I'm watching my mileage and trying to keep it slow and steady but I still have issues. Hang in there......
I keep thinking as my 1/2 marathon that I had to drop out of last year due to stress fractures is fast approaching that something will happen, then I just remember how worrying is just such wasted energy.
Think of this.....
worrying is just like a rocking chair, it gets you to move, but you never get anywhere!
All will be fine, just keep up the awesome training and if you need a day off, take it!
So sorry to hear about your leg issues, Mel. It's easy to say everyone is different, it's frustrating when you are the one going through these issues. You are doing so well with your swimming, biking and core work. Hang in there, it will all come together one day!
just keep doing what you are doing...lots more cycling and swimming than running....don't push it...give it time.
Aw Mel... you are doing everything right. Righter than right! So sorry to read about the persistent issue. I would like to say that I *hope* it's your mind playing tricks or some kind of phantom pain. How can we really know??
Hang in there... keep on keeping on. Be smart and monitor it. What else can ya do??
I wish I had some magic piece of advice. I am sorry you're going through this. I worry every day about stress fractures and, ironically, have my pain in my lower left leg.
You should be proud of what you have accomplished. Many people would have given up rather than start from scratch.
Hugs.
AAAHHH that is so frustrating. I really feel for you. Hang in there, there will be some resolution and you will run injury free and without pain in the future.
You've been really smart about changing up your training. I'm sorry that the leg is still a worry for you. I'm sending positive thoughts your way and home that the strange feeling goes away.
I don't blame you at all for being nervous.
I'm in the same boat with my dang foot. I have a splay foot and need surgery BAD. It throws my gait off and I have all sorts of problems associated with it. I just cross my fingers every time I run that things feel ok when I'm done.
Cross training is a smart move on your part. Have you tried the foam roller? I've used it on every part of my body and have just recently purchased my own instead of abusing the one at the gym.
I'd say you could have mine- but it's my weak spot too. Sorry Mel. It stinks when a chronic injury wont go away.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's just some sort of phantom pain. You've been doing an amazing job of cross training and taking care of yourself! Hope it goes away for good soon!
You have had a run of bad luck, that's all. Really 12-24 months of hard effort at a cerain level it what it takes for your body to get stronger. The P90x plyometrics will help strengthen the shin area - but be patient. Remmber you need 12-14 months for full recovery from an injury.
I'v torn BOTH hammies back in 2005 - I still have problems (pains) from them, but every month they feel just a tad bit better.
Hoping that you feel better soon and that it isn't something serious. Hang in there!
If you can only buy the legs in pairs, I will buy the right leg from you.
i hope you get that bum wheel figured out soon. i know how frustrating that can be. i have a crazy left side piriformis and it rears its ugly ahead a lot. i've learned to manage it but it's always there to some degree. like you, i've come to love running for its simplicity and i've also come to love it more and more after each injury break i've had to take. longing makes the heart grow fonder and it's no different w/running. good luck with all of your training!
I think it's normal to be more sensitive to pain in places where you've been injured before. I know I do it with my hamstring and calf now. Not sure what the answer is but just wanted to say I know what you're saying.
I'm sorry to hear that you are still having issues with your leg. It sounds like you are playing by all the right rules. Sometimes it takes a lot longer to recover mentally from an injury...to trust yourself that you aren't injuring yourself again. On a completely different note, I still get pains at the site of my old stress fracture. I tend to notice and ache when there is a shift in the weather, like changes from warm to cold or differences in the humidity. And I had my stress fracture 3.5 years ago.
LOVE the poster!!! And no, I don't think that's too much to as at all!
That is crazy that you do not feel it during the plyometrics! I hope that you find the answer soon! Have a great week!
How strange that the P90X plyometrics don't bother your leg, but that you still get random waves or twinges of pain in it. I am sure I'd be scared or paranoid too based on your history with that leg. I hope it behaves for you and stays healed!
I feel the same way. I have been having a tough time since Chicago. Just take it day by day and just try to keep as healthy as possible.
Keep listening to you body. Don't let your mind trick you. Good luck!
i can't imagine how frustrating. but you have learned a lot and the most important thing is to listen to your body. hang in there.
You're not hypersensitive - just cautious! I would be too. I hope you figure something out soon!
I hear your pain, girl. I'm "feeling" my ankle as we speak, & it makes me question the mileage I have planned for the week.
A healthy dose of paranoia can be a good thing but sometimes we need to let go...go on you can do it!
Playing it safe is the way to go especially for repeat injury. Hang in there and you will slowly get stronger and better.
I think being hypersensitive is normal. I know I am the EXACT same way - down to the pushing on the tibia.
I wish I had some good advice, but you probably know best. When I was reading this, I was thinking to myself that you should have gait analysis...but you already did!!
One thing I will say is that my leg was sore for 2 months or so after I was given the thumbs up for running. Slowly it stopped.... for what it is worth.
Hang in there!
I think it's normal to have that fear after having an injury, and for you, having two such injuries, completely natural. Gotta just keep it up and know you're doing the right thing!
hmmmm.... all too familiar here too! Here's hoping that you get things straightened out quick. It is better to be cautious than to just ignore though (my opinion) ;0) Hang in there!
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