What does an IT band, an Achilles tendon, and a 4th metatarsal have in common?!
Well...if they are located on my body, specifically on the right side...they've been injured at one time or another during my training. (and...each injury was probably due to me making a stupid training choice/error)
~IT band: in September of 2009 as my training drew to a close for Marathon #1 (Chicago in October of 2009)...I was completing one of my longer training runs with some new friends in the Lake Run Club Marathon Training group...it was 18 miles or so...and for some unknown reason, I decided to really push it for that last mile. I was all full of adrenaline or something, and took off for that final mile. I ended up running that final mile in just over 7 minutes (which, for me, was a feat :)). What do ya know...that week I started having knee problems. UGH!!
~Achilles tendon: Last fall (2010), prior to marathon #3 (Quad Cities)...I was still having some knee issues. Leading up to the marathon, I spent a lot of time in the pool swimming laps and pool jogging thanks to my knee. I ended up finishing the marathon quite strong (for me!) and even PR'ed. The day after, though, my ankle bothered the crap outta me. The next Saturday, pain and all, I ran a 5k...Run the Woods. I was running it with some co-workers and had really talked it up. There was no way, in my mind, that I wasn't going. I even got 2nd in my age group! The following week the ankle hurt even more...so I had it checked out by a sports doctor. Turns out I had some nasty Achilles tendinitis, complete with that really fun crunching sound when ya move (crepitus...a fun word).
~Metatarsal...specifically #4...currently I am dealing with a lovely stress fracture. I am reluctant to admit that it is likely "my own fault". Last Sunday I ran 2 5k's. I ran the first one in 22:52, which boils down to 7:22ish minute miles. Honestly, in the grand scheme...that's nothing all too impressive. However, it was a 5k PR for me...and it happened to be a relatively small, event...and I ended up being the top female finisher! This event was at 1pm in the afternoon...and there was a second 5k across town at 2:30. I am sure you know where this is going. I thought...why not? I ran the second one a bit slower (24ish minutes)....but after just about 1 mile, I started to feel some pain in my right foot. I did slow my pace a bit, but it honestly didn't hurt badly enough to stop (or so I thought). When I finished (I was the 4th female finisher in this event and the 15th finisher overall....this event was quite a bit bigger than the 1st)....I was DEFINITELY "feeling it"! It was pretty miserable walking about a mile to where my car was parked. I went to see a PT this week who ran ultrasound over it...apparently stress fractures do not show up on x-rays until about 3 weeks after the fact when they've begun to heal and you can see the new ossification of the bone. Apparently, though, if you run ultrasound over it...it causes the bones to vibrate, resulting in pain. While I wouldn't classify the ensuing "pain" as "severe", it was definitely uncomfortable....so, I'm in a walking boot right now. Pretty awesome, and pretty hot!
SO....it is looking like, unfortunately, the half marathon at the U of I will not be happening for me next Saturday. I am trying not to think about it too much so as not to be really sad about it. Truth is, I am super bummed. My sister and Jeremy are running...I am definitely still planning to go, and will likely just see if I can volunteer at a water station or something.
I'm hoping to make it to the Lake Run in a week (which would be three weeks after the stress fracture began)...but we'll see. If not, I'll just man a water station there too. Guess I'll just embrace the opportunities as lessons in humility, eh?
My first tri is one month away...precisely four weeks from today. I've been keeping up the swimming and biking ends of things (just got back from a 13 mile bike ride, actually, and am presently icing my foot on the couch :)). I sincerely hope to make it...we'll see.
Well...I plan to keep on keepin' on! Hopefully my body cooperates :)
5 comments:
Okay, this is another discussion of being your own worst enemy and injuries.
"Injury" is actually Latin for,"doing something you should know only Gods can do." I actually just made that up :) Anyway, injuries are typically caused by doing something your body cannot handle in the moment.
In your examples you appear to be doing that extra bit thinking that no harm can come of it. Or, that you are in the moment and make a choice to try and perform at an upper level. This choice is often made at the end of some event, such as the end of a run or an additional workout. At these times, even a marginally fatigued body can enter an extreme that induces an injury. The knee is lifted higher, that leg extended, that muscle pushed faster: It all leads to injury.
I think this, in part, is because you lack interval training. In interval training your body performs at the upper level and you begin to train your muscles, bones, etc that this more intense physical experience is not something foreign. You begin conditioning yourself so your body is familiar and not prone to injury when you push it.
I also think you could benefit from a decent Yoga class or stretching regimen. The weightlifting that you're doing I'm sure is helping.
It ain't easy is it ? I'm 'pulling' for you, metaphorically, of course. Ultimately, heck, what do I know ? I'm more Doctor Who, than Doctor , MD.
Off to practicing that piano.
Thanks Romo.
This gave me a lot to think about as I sit here and heal :).
I think I've been lazy with my training and need to step it up a few notches. Once I heal, of course :).
I've been biking and swimming like there's no tomorrow, but my body is aching for a run!
My triathlon is in two weeks. This will be five weeks post-stress fracture. Hope that's enough healing time!
Did the stress fracture have anything to do with those barefoot shoes you were using ? I'm just curious from a physics point of view. Whether the weakness is the shoes or your transition to that style of footwear in regards to form, or a combination of both. Something to consider.
If you are uncertain about your stress fracture, I still can recommend Dr. Newcomer .
By the way, 'hope' is not a good method for sports performance or healing. It takes 6-8 weeks for a stress fracture to heal. And no, you don't heal quicker than anyone else.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00379
I'll stop nagging now. After all, I read some great research that if a person does not change a behavior after being told twice, they rarely will.
Off to sleep, big week in Washington, DC.
Romo...I do indeed suspect the five fingers had something to do with my suspected stress fracture :). Rather, MY lack of sufficiently acclimating my body to them before jumping in to some longer runs.
I backed it wayyyyy off these past 6 weeks and will be going on a run tonight (first "real" run...other than the triatlon last week, during which I really did hold myself back during the run portion).
I definitely don't want to be someone who doesn't learn from mistakes :).
Hope you had a great trip to DC!
:)
A recommendation if you have Netflix:
"The Kings of Pastry"
Trust me. Or, go to the Normal Theater on Wednesday June 8th and see it with an audience.
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