Thursday, April 4, 2013

Stress Fracture, No Fall Marathon and Trying to Stay Sane

One month of no running.  I'm still alive and surviving (surprisingly), but I'm longing for a good run to clear my head and get lost in thoughts of nothing. I'm longing for the runner's high, Central Park and running with friends. And I'm really longing for a good race.

After being told that I probably have a stress fracture, then being told that it didn't seem like one, and then finally being sent for an MRI to see if it is indeed a stress fracture, I'm actually relieved to have an answer: a tibial stress fracture. While this obviously isn't the outcome that I was hoping for this Spring, I'm glad to have a diagnosis for this persisting pain in my right leg.

Annnddd another month of no running commences...

It occurred to me last night that I haven't raced since the Philadelphia Marathon.  Having this injury now makes my experience in Philly that much more special to me- everything came together on race day and I had the race of my dreams. So many people get injured while training, or have an off day on race day, but I was lucky enough to make it to the starting line healthy, meet my goal and make it to the finish line healthy. For that, I am forever grateful, and thinking back on the Philadelphia Marathon will always put a smile on my face and a tear of happiness in my eye. But, since then, my running record has been less than stellar.  I had three awesome races planned for this Spring, and I've had to back out of all three of them. Cheering for friends is fun and I love to be there to support them, but we all know it's not the same as running the race yourself. I'm dying to race, but I need to be smart about it.

We all know that one has to plan many months out to run a marathon, and train properly. Before this injury, I was planning to run the Wineglass marathon in early October.  For this race, I would have to start training mid-June. If I'm not able to run again until (at least) May, that would only give me a few weeks to really build up my base and get back into things. Given this injury and knowing my body, I know it's not a smart idea for me. Will I miss hot, humid, long runs with friends this summer? Surprisingly, yes, absolutely. Will I be jealous of everyone's amazing times this Fall? Yup. Will I have a huge urge to sign up for a Fall marathon? Most likely. But if I want to make it to the starting line of Boston next April (if my 3:33 time is good enough once registration opens) then I need to be smart and not push it this Fall. If I only run two marathons in my life, I want the other one to be Boston. Philly was perfect, and I want Boston to be as perfect as possible too. And for me, that means skipping a Fall marathon.

My goal for this Spring was to focus on speed and halves, which I now plan to move to the Fall. I have my eye on the Philly Rock 'n' Roll Half and maybe the Wineglass Half. But until then, I'm focusing on my core, hip abductor exercises and am thinking I may need to change to a different type of shoe. And also not increase my mileage as quickly as I did this winter. You know, that 10% rule that I didn't really follow...

The last month has left me cranky, irritable, frustrated, feeling lazy and defeated. Some days I fight back tears because I just want to run. Some days I'm happy just to be able to go to a spin class. Some days I fight back tears IN a spin class. Really, I'm just a basket case of emotions. The one constant through this has been my friends and family checking in on me to make sure that I'm doing okay. Thank you all- you're the best. Injuries blow, but your caring has made it slightly less horrible.

2013 has pretty much sucked for me (in terms of running and health), but I'm determined to turn that around once I'm able to lace up my sneakers and hit the roads again. Bring it on second-half of 2013! Dream Big.


Have you ever had a tibial stress fracture? What's your next race? Are you running a Fall marathon?


24 comments:

  1. Awww. Hugs. I have not had a stress fracture. But I have had IT issues and a calf muscle issue to knock me out of running. Right now I'm not doing any races thanks to baby on the way. Its really hard to watch everyone running when I can't! Just try to get through it and build back slowly. You are going to rock boston!

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    1. Thank you, Karla! And congrats on the baby-to-be!!!

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  2. So sad to hear about your injury, but you have a great attitude and I wish you luck!

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    1. Thanks, Paulette! Hopefully it'll be easy to get back into running once I'm able to start up again!

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  3. Thankfully, I've never sustained a running-related injury (*knock on wood*), but I did tear my meniscus and ACL in high school, so I know how tough it is to watch others chase their athletic goals while you heal. On the bright side, at least you found out exactly what's going on; not knowing can be so much worse. Anyway, I think you're making the right decision to back off races and focus on Boston. That is every runner's dream race after all. :)

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    1. Thanks, Carrie! I know it'll be hard this summer/Fall when everyone is training but think it's the right decision for me, unfortunately! Hope your training is going well!!

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  4. Aww man I know exactly how you feel.

    I had a tibial stress fracture last year and had to defer my MCM. No running for 12 weeks was rough but I got through it.

    I am running the Cherry Blossom 10-miler this weekend and hopefully rocking MCM as my first marathon in October!

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    1. Ugh, 12 weeks?! :( I'm getting a bone stimulator in the next few days so hopefully that'll help it heal faster?!

      I'll be at Cherry Blossom this weekend! Was supposed to run but obviously am not. Would love to meet you!

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  5. Injuries totally suck, but you're being smart and doing the right thing for the long run (ha!). I had a stress fracture in my hip and was on crutches for 2 months to avoid surgery!!! It sucked, but totally worth it to be able to run healthy for years to come!

    Excited for an awesome girls weekend at Cherry Blossom! See you tomorrow! :)

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    1. 2 months on crutches?! At least you didn't have to have surgery though! I was on crutches for a week or two because I was told I had a stress reaction in my hip! Sort of gave up on the crutches after that and then turned out to be fine and got back to running!

      SOOOO excited for this weekend! Need to get away and have some girl time!

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  6. I have had 3 tibial stress fractures in the last 7 years. The last one was March 2012, after the Napa Marathon. I healed up and was able to run the Harrisburg, PA marathon on Nov.11. I worked my butt off cross training while it healed, especially the spin bike!! Take this time to heal and get stronger. Oh yeah, I get to meet you this weekend. I'm running the Cherry Blossom! Hang in there, I know how you feel. I've been there way too many times.

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    1. Oh no, 3?! So sorry! But glad you're healthy now! I do think I could do a Fall marathon, I just don't want to feel rushed to get back in to training really fast to build up my base and risk another injury. Maybe if I find one in December?! Haha we'll see when I can start running again.

      Can't wait to meet you! Am so looking forward to this weekend! And will obviously keep my eye out for all Oiselle team singlets!!!

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  7. As you know I was planning on running Wineglass this year and was hoping to BQ. My plan for the early part of this year and Spring was to concentrate on the half distance and kick it up a notch for Wineglass at the end of the year. I've been dealing with some strange running injuries since my last goal race in November. I just took a whole month of running off (there went the goal half next month) with very little improvement :( I have never had a stress fracture but I feel like it is a "good" diagnosis in that you rest it and it will heal up. I have some strange tendon/angry adductor issue that just won't go away. If you had told me in November I would still be dealing with this in April I wouldn't have believed it :( I haven't made a 100% call on Wineglass yet but reading what you said it was as if you were speaking what I'm thinking. I am thinking of hopefully being able to run in the next month and doing a half in the Fall and then maybe a goal marathon early Spring next year. I've gotten clearance to do some test runs again so still holding out hope things will go well from here on out but I am honestly not that optimistic. Sorry you are dealing with this but you aren't the only one! I'm also trying to do some core and strength work. I can't bring myself to do any other cardio type exercise. I'm also bummed because I was looking forward to meeting you at Wineglass. Stay positive!

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  8. I'm SO sorry to hear about your injury! Injuries are the WORST!!! Especially when the issue hasn't been diagnosed. I was so frustrated for 6 weeks before a stress fracture was finally confirmed.

    What about dropping down to the half at Wineglass?? It's looking more and more likely that I'll do that. Although, maybe from California, it's not worth it to travel so far for a half?

    Hope you get better and that we get to meet at a race that we're BOTH running soon!!!

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  9. Good luck with the recovery. Try not to torture yourself by dwelling on missing out on running... after you recover, this injury-layoff will seem like a small blip on the timeline. Try to take advantage of the time off from running by cross-training (such as, upper body strength training which will improve your running form when you resume running.)

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    1. Thanks! I'm feeling pretty good about everything right now, since my leg is starting to feel better! Have been doing some cross training (although not as much as I should be probably!) and am excited to get back on the roads to run!

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  10. I just got diagnosed with a stress reaction in my posterior tibial shaft as well as a grade 1 calf strain in the same leg. I was supposed to run the LI Marathon on 5/5 . I made it to 3 weeks before the race and was ready to taper. This injury came out of no where in my mind. There was no pain for weeks that I was ignoring. I was averaging 50-53 miles a week for 8 weeks with the last 2 weeks at 61 and 63 miles. My calf felt tired on Sunday and went out and did 8 miles at an easy pace . Woke up on Monday and couldn't run. My calf as so tight. Went to my chiropractor for ART therapy, Grastons technique, and ultrasound. At first he thought I had posterior shin splints and said I would be ok in a week. I guess he was wrong. I had high hopes for this marathon and I too will have to watch several of my friends complete this race as a spectator ....
    I have been doing deep water running for the last week and a half. Hoping for the best. Supposedly it can maintain fitness for up to 6 weeks. I am already feeling better but the pain is still there. I am not sure I can wait to do a fall marathon, maybe I will be ok for a June marathon. I would like to improve my BQ time before 9/23 also. If I don't run one in June , I was thinking about the Lehigh Valley Marathon on 9/8. It is a good race to BQ....
    Good luck with your recovery, believe me, I know it sucks ! Words can't describe how disappointing an injury is especially so close to a marathon. All that time, effort, early morning freezing cold runs through out the winter, down the drain.

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    1. So sorry about your injury, Shannon!! It's SUCH a bummer to miss a race because of an injury, so I totally understand your frustration & disappointment.

      I have heard that Deep Water Running is great for maintaining running fitness!

      Hope you're all healed and ready to run again SOON!!!

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  11. Ugh that's awful to hear. Sorry that you're dealing with an injury. I'm actually just getting started with distance and competitive running and I'm happy to have found your blog as inspiration for my own progress! Looking forward to following along!

    -Eileen
    www.leanerbythelake.com

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    1. Hi Eileen, thanks for reading! Welcome to the awesome running community! So supportive and amazing! Good luck with your training and running!

      Abby

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  12. I have a broken tibia. I'm sorry to hear about your stress fracture. I've been dealing with not being able to run since March, and it's tough. I feel for you!

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  13. So sorry about your broken tibia! Hope you're feeling better and are able to get back out there SOON! Injuries suck, but they make running that much sweeter once you're able to get back on the roads! Here's to a quick recovery for you!!

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  14. I too just was diagnosed with a tibial sfx after running Grandma's Marathon. Mine came at mile 26! I could not run and thought it was just a calf cramp, tried running it out, couldn't and shuffled to the finish! I did BQ with a 3:30 but was shooting for a 3:24 (to get that 20min. faster BQ). After 2 weeks of being told first it was shin splints (when I couldn't walk after the race I knew it was NOT shin splints), then a sfx then compartment syndrome then finally another x-ray to confirm the sfx diagnosis I knew my fall races were shot too!! This is my 4th sfx so I know the "drill"-I am on crutches for 4 weeks and then a boot for another 4 weeks! UGH!! I can start water running and biking once the boot is on 2 weeks from now.
    I know how you are feeling and I too am aiming to get back to Boston next April-so we need to be smart and listen to our body now. Maybe I will see you in Boston:)

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  15. I believe my chiropractor worsened my stress fracture. I have a tibial stress fracture...causing pain I thought was my knee. The chiropractor said my leg was out of alignment, pulled my leg and whacked the sides of my knee to put things back. I told him this was hurting...but he didn't stop. The pain got worse, and I had an MRI from the sports doctor and found a severe stress fracture. No more chiropractor for me.

    metatarsal stress fracture

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