October 28th, 2011
Just got back from the doctor. They took x-rays but nothing showed up so I’ll be getting an MRI next week. I won’t see the doctor again till next Friday but have been assured that as soon as the results come back, I can get answers.
He does suspect that it’s a stress fracture, the only thing that doesn’t fit is the pain abating during my runs, though my last couple runs were hurting even at the end, which is why I finally took the time off. On the good note, if it is a sfx, I won’t need crutches (this, determined by my current discomfort level) and I’d be able to do light activity.
I’m actually ok at the moment, not freaking out by the prospect. By the time I see the doc next week, it’ll be 17 days off, my longest period since taking up the sport but I’ve got no interest in running until this thing is fixed. I’m done pushing through.
Some random thoughts:
Ibuprofen
After seeing the ART lady, I stopped taking it since tendinosis (what she thought it was and what it could very well be) is past the inflammatory stage, so it wouldn’t help. However, the day before and morning of the 5k, I took a few rounds, specifically to feel better for the race. So when I said I felt better on race morning than I had in a couple weeks, that credit was probably due to the Vitamin I. No regrets on that, btw.
After the race I stopped taking it and haven’t since. Initially it was to be in touch with my pain signals but even after I got that crazy groin pain last Friday (that thing lasted 6 days!) I still didn’t take any because it supposedly interferes with bone healing and if I have a sfx, I want to get it done with as quickly as possible. Glad I held off since the doctor also advised me not to take NSAIDS.
Cross-Training
If this is a sfx and I’m looking at real time off, I’m not sure what I’ll do in the interim. I’m well-educated on all the options available so that’s not the question, it’s what I’ll want to do. I’m not an exercise-a-holic by any stretch and I also don’t have a huge fear of fitness loss – this, helped by the fact that my rebuilding period would start at the beginning of winter which means several low-pressure months to regain fitness.
Life
This part will suck some. No way around it. Running is my main interest, period. Last week, when I got to thinking this could be serious, I did have a couple black days and one evening of tears wondering “what will I do?”.
I’m sure it sounds overly dramatic, but running is what drives me, what thrills me, what piques my curiosity day after day. This blog is all about running, my online life is centered on running, all I want to read or investigate or waste time with is running (well, and some pop culture crap…but mostly running). I’m ok about it now, though, I’ll figure something out, I always do.
Also, I was feeling double blue last week since work had been slow for most of October (it was going to be my slowest month in a year) but in a happy turn, I got some last-minute voiceover jobs and November’s already got some bookings, so that’s one less worry. yay
Anyway, I still don’t know what ails me. Could very well be some tendon stuff that with another week off, leaves the building entirely. If so, then the above is moot but it’s what’s been on my mind. I’ll keep you posted as it unfolds. In the meantime, I’m sending out a ton of virtual hugs to all you guys and gals for being so great, you blog readers, Facebook and forum friends. Thanks for caring. 
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I am so sorry that you may have a sfx. I know that sucks because I had that problem plus many more this year. However, you train smarter than me so I am sure you will pull through very soon.
I completely understand those blue moments. I hope they are few and far between.
Have a great weekend girlie!
UGH— I am so sorry. It totally sucks to not be able to run. I hope you don’t have a stress fracture, but if you do it’s not the end of the world. At least you know when it will heal, as opposed to those soft tissue injuries that seem to take forever to get to 100%. Sending good vibes to you!
Oh man… I hate to see you are still having issues. Like Greenlee said, at least if it’s a stress fracture you will have identified it and know what you need to do to get past it. You should reach out to RbbMoose – I think I remember him saying he has had something crazy like 6 or 8 Sfx since he’s been marathoning. And we both know he’s still at it and he’s crazy fast.
Well, it’s a start. File this under “unsolicited advice”–when you said, Could very well be some tendon stuff that with another week off, leaves the building entirely. If so, then the above is moot but it’s what’s been on my mind”. Maybe it’s not moot, and that’s completely coming from my experience which may be totally different than yours. I think I rely too much on running, not just for physical health but mental health, too. When I’m injured and can’t run, I don’t feel myself at all. I don’t know what to do with my recovery time and think I invest an awful lot in this running thing. When I’m injured, I think that I need to find some others things to keep me going, interest me, satisfy me in other ways, connect to life in other ways so I don’t rely on running…..then I get better and start to run and throw that pursuit/thought out the window! Anyway, when you mentioned it might be moot, that got me thinking about how I’ve felt about not being able to run. I’ll keep my muttering to myself now….
Thanks Christi and Greenlee, you gals are living proof of getting through it for the better.
Progman, I know Rbmoose’s sfx history, also my dear blogger friend Kristin (another fastie like Rbmoose) has had a handful. It’s these people that make me feel ok about the situation and know there’s no question about coming back stronger.
Jill, it’s only natural that having to stop doing something you love will mess with your mood, even if it wasn’t such a tasty endorphin producing activity.
If it helps, I’m now recovering from sfx No. 4 officially, No. 5 unofficially. Yes, 5. This most recent one is the second metatarsal on my left foot. Last October it was the navicular on the left foot, which had me in a hard, non-weightbearing cast and on crutches for 6.5 weeks, then a boot for 2.5. Now I’m only in the boot for 6 weeks. Had an sfx in the right tibia in Oct. 2008 and in the left tibia in Oct. 2007.
I understand how you feel about not running, because I felt the same way when I had the first one. But you know what? I am still alive. I didn’t die from not running. I didn’t become the Michelin Man, either. It took me until last year’s sfx when the cast and crutches kept me from doing everything but weight training to realize that I would survive without running for a few months (I couldn’t run for 12 weeks). So this time, while I’m frustrated and disappointed and missing two key races I was really looking forward to, I know that I’ll still wake up every morning and see the sun. It’s given me time to realize how much I miss when I’m focused on training for a race. Like finishing a needlepoint project or going to an art fair on a Saturday. Or actually staying up past 9 p.m. on a Friday night. Or being able to read a book without falling asleep.
Anyway, I’m sorry that you’re having to go through this, and I hope it’s not what you fear, but if it is, you’ll be ok.
I hate to see someone as supportive and encouraging as you be down like this. FWIW- I had a stress fracture (tibia) back in ’99 near the end of my first running life. Mine did not hurt much during the run but it hurt some walking around and a ton after the run. I thought it was just bad shin splits at first.
6-8 weeks of rest and I was okay again. I take Cal/Mag supplements now.
As for the life section, I can relate completely. I have a history of depression and when I don’t run for a few days, I can feel my dopamine levels beginning to fall. You may want to pick up some OTC stuff to give the neurotransmitters a boost.
I know it sucks now but think of it as missing maybe 15% of a calendar year. With your base, that will not kill your fitness.
OMG, Beth, that’s a lot of sfx! Thanks so much for that (becoming the Michelin Man is on my mind, needless to say). Feel better soon, girlie! I love your attitude.
And Justin…you too? So in this group of people who have commented so far, I think Progman is the only person who hasn’t had a sfx! Greenlee got 3 for the price of one.
At least I’d be in extremely fine company.
I’ll line up with Progman in the no-sfx-yet commenters group. I now what you mean about the running life, and I’m in no big hurry to get injured. You still have the online life should it come to that. Here’s hoping that the answers are good ones when they come. Hang in there, Flo.
Bleh, meh, and BOOOO! I just want to give you a new leg! FWIW, I thought about you a TON today, waiting and wondering what was wrong and if you knew anything. I think you are smart to prepare for it being a SFX, but I am holding out major hope it is tendon related.
In the end, you’ll be fine. However, this time period SUCKS big time. I feel angry and frustrated for you. Hang tough and KNOW that you will pull through this just like every other speedbump you’ve hit in your life. ((((HUGS)))))
Ps. I’ve never had a SFX, either.
So sorry to hear about all of this! I know too well how frustrating it is when you can’t do what you are so used to doing. It’s good that you did stop – your body is healing as you go through this. And I’m glad you’ll get the MRI. When I first got injured, they only did the xray, which showed nothing, and I’m pretty sure I was not treated correctly, leading to not simply weeks, but years off. Hang in there. For those dark moments, remember that you are not alone – we are all here for you, and many of us understand too well the many emotions that injury brings.
Thanks for keeping us all updated, Flo. Sorry you don’t have answers yet but maybe the extra time off waiting for the MRI will knock this thing on the head.
I totally relate to what you said about running being a “tasty endorphin-producing activity”! I have no suggestions for replacements but in any case, whatever you choose will only be temporary, because you WILL be out running again eventually.
In the middle of my 3 year injury-hell back in 2002-2005, I despaired of ever running pain-free again, but I never stopped thinking of myself as a RUNNER. Hang in there, is all I can offer. And look into getting a bone stimulator, just in case. Because feeling like you are doing SOMETHING to help things along is a definite mood-booster.
HUGS to you from Down Under!!
Jim and Rebecca, thanks dollfaces. Keep on being healthy so I can live through your exploits in the meantime.
Peggy, yikes, I had no idea about your injury background, that’s utterly awful to be misdiagnosed and dealing with the consequences that long. Thank goodness you’re back to kicking ass!
Rachel, yet another experienced soul…that’s what I’m hoping too, that all I needed was a solid chunk of time off. Crossing fingers.
Ugh. The hard thing about this is the not knowing, and the wondering. One you have a DX, at least you’re out of limbo.
One thing I’ll suggest — you don’t cross train just for physical fitness, but also to maintain a schedule and a sense of activity. I think that’s especially important for people like you and me that spend a lot of time working from home. Pool-running got me out of the house each morning, and feeling like I was still an athlete.
There might be a mental benefit to “mental cross-training” – using this time to take webdesign classes, or to walk dogs from the local shelter. Or maybe, if you want to keep your connection to running, see if there’s any local racing companies that wouldn’t mind having a volunteer.
I’m a web designer already (part of my income comes from a handful of various websites I’ve got) so I was thinking to work on those as well as finally add new designs to my t-shirt sites which I’ve been terribly lax with. Might as well make it a moolah-growing period.
I totally hear you on getting out of the house. The one thing I want, and he said I could walk if I’m pain-free, is to take a daily walk on my running path in the park. That will be my heroin.
Today, I’m thinking “I don’t have a sfx!” because the leg is feeling better. That would be cool.
Yes, it would be cool if you didn’t! Great news (if it is) about not having to use crutches etc (Joy was in a plastic boot for 4 weeks). I feel for you about not being able to run. It’s a big thing for me too. If it is a stress fracture, at least there’s a time X weeks away when you’ll be running again. When you are, I’m sure you’ve read heaps about what to do to prevent a recurrence. My thoughts are (besides nutrition), that soft surfaces (grass/dirt) for a good number of runs/week help, as well as running on varied terrain.
You bet, though I think that if it’s a sfx it was caused by running with a muscle/tendon injury for too long and letting it fester, the attachments pulling on the bone. (the way shin splints can lead to a lower leg sfx) My bones look good at least, as little as he could see from the x-ray, no sign of ostepenia.
Big virtual hug for you!! These things just plain suck, but like everyone’s saying-they do eventually go away. Know that you are doing ALL the right things right now by taking time to heal and get answers. Hopefully it doesn’t hurt too bad now…
When I had to take breaks, I did do quite a bit of volunteering. Hard at first, but that went away and was actually like therapy. Whatever it is, do keep us posted
Thanks girl!
I’m totally in agreement with the volunteering suggestions. When illness got in the way of running last year, I signed up as a Houston Marathon volunteer, because the idea of waking up that morning and being away from the action was just sour to me. Heal up and I hope you find another activity to occupy your passion in the interim.
I appreciate the suggestion but I don’t want to volunteer, I don’t want to to deal with people right now (who’m I kidding? ever).
Thanks for the good wishes, all my symptoms are gone as of yesterday, thinking this is soft tissue and I’ll be back on the roads sooner than expected.