I’ve been avoiding even muttering the i-word in the last few months. In fact I’m not sure if I have even mentioned my injury on the blog since my doctor declared I was healed.
For new readers, I was diagnosed with a tibial stress fracture during my training for the National Marathon this past March. It was especially traumatic because the pain didn’t start until I began the taper period and because I didn’t get my official diagnosis until the day before the marathon. I was sidelined from running for over 14 weeks.
I’ve been scared if I write something about it, it will come back. Then I read this article in the New York Times health section about running injuries, and found myself relating to many parts of the article. I realized that almost everyone gets injured at some point, and with endurance athletes injuries are likely to happen multiple times.
Here are some points that really resonated with me:
“I also am a serious cyclist, but running is my true love.”
When I was injured I ramped up my bike riding as a replacement. I often mused that I didn’t get the same “high” or peace that I did with running.
“’There is something about the experience — be it figure skating or running or cycling — that really produces a pleasurable experience,’ Dr. Coppel said. ‘That connection is probably not only at a psychological level but probably also something physiological that potentially makes it harder for these people to transition to other sports.’”
I also signed up for my first triathlon pretty much immediately after getting the news that the marathon was a no-go. So I spent a lot of time swimming as well, but also never loved it in the same way.
“’I could give up cycling,’ Jen said. ‘But I could never give up running.’”
While I did have some positive experiences during my running hiatus, I am terrified that I will get another stress fracture and the dream of running a marathon will slip away again. Regaining my ability to run has made me love running more than ever.
So aside from keeping my fingers crossed, not writing about it in fear of jinxing it, how am I preventing a second fracture?
- Running 3 days a week, instead of 4, to put less stress on my body.
- Taking calcium chews each day to build stronger bones (since I don’t eat much dairy).
- Trying to keep my weight down so there is less impact on each step.
- “Testing” my shins for localized pain. The doctor would press down on the bone to find the fracture, so I’ve been doing that.
Have you dealt with an injury before? How did you get back into working out without re-injuring yourself?
I had a tibial stress fracture about a two years ago. I ran with it for a long time (never more than 6 miles), because I just assumed it was shin splints and would eventually go away. Eventually, I had to take about 5 months off from running to let it heal, but it was a long time after that before I could run and not constantly be thinking about whether my leg was going to start hurting.
I started really getting back into running after my injury healed when training for the Army Ten Miler last summer. I used a training program that slowly increased my mileage each week. (I’m pretty sure the main culprit for my injury was having improperly fitting shoes the week that I just jumped right in to running 6 miles 4-5 times a week and started a boxing class that included a lot of jump roping. Just two weeks in bad shoes started a the downward spiral. Yeah, not smart.) I also put Superfeet inserts into my running shoes, which helped with cushioning and form. I haven’t had any injuries since. (Knock on wood!)
I’ve since run two 10-mile races and a half marathon, no injury. I don’t have any plans to attempt a marathon, but I think, for me, that as long as I increased my mileage slowly and made sure to have rest days and low impact cross training for my legs (not jump roping!), I could do a marathon without re-injuring myself.
It’s great to hear that you have gotten back into running and done so many races! Do you have any recommendations for where to get fitted for shoes?
I haven’t actually been fitted for shoes in a long time, not since track in college. (Don’t let that statement fool you… I was a sprinter at a DIII school. Anyone was allowed on the team.) But, I find Pacers to generally be very helpful with running stuff (I got my Superfeet there), but any real running store (not just City Sports or something like that) should be good. But I don’t actually buy shoes from those stores… instead, I’ll find the same pair at DSW or a similar store for less.
My “bad shoes” problem was the result of me picking up a pair of the wrong Saucony shoes, instead of the same design I’d worn for the past several years. The arch was in the wrong place for my foot and they weren’t trail sneakers, which personally fit me better and are more stabilizing even though I rarely actually run on a trail. So if you do buy elsewhere, don’t be lazy like me and just guess which shoes it was that you wear.
I really like your summary of the NYT article. In battling my own stress fracture, I’ve found that taking it slow has been the best medicine. I’d kill to be able to run more than just to cross a street or take my favorite cardio sculpt class. In due time, I’m sure, but the threat of permanent pain and not being able to walk are motivating factors to reintroduce exercise smartly so I can recover 100%!
I had severe shin splints that made me stop running before it turned into a stress fracture from running much shorter distances than I do now. I stopped by choice for about 1.5 years and added more strength training and started spin classes. I finally picked it up again, but really make sure I don’t overdo it, ice frequently, and listen to cues. I’m icing at this moment and taking a few days off to make my poor legs go back to normal. I never loved spinning, but continue with strength training, and added more stretching. I really want you to run the marathon!
Thanks girl, I really want to run it too
I saw that article… and was not surprised at how much I could relate! I do not want to give up running either! I had three stress fractures in May (ankle, shin, knee) and just started running again… doing the same things: 3x a week, calcium, trying to lose weight… but I worry about it too. If I get a weird pain I am stressed and worried!
Wow – 3 stress fractures! I will keep my fingers crossed for you too…I totally know what you mean about the weird-pain-stress.
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