3 months

Of. No. Running.

Yes, that's about it in a nutshell, but it could be less time. I had my appt today and told Dr. Bob the years off and on of my shin problems. I had them when I was living in Texas oh so many years ago, and just got through them with Icy hot most of the time. I haven't had them this bad evah though. Last thursday, Denine and I went for a run of 5 miles, and after 1 mile - we walked the rest of the way (having to cut it to 4 miles in order to get home in time for work). My shins were hurting as I was just walking. Well, I've about had it with this and want to heal them once and for all. I'm a stubborn girl. Yes, I know - hard to beleive about me, right? :-) So, my own personal diagnosis and healing myself was to take a week or 10(ish) days off of running, then start back. Well, it wasn't not long enough.

So, I possibly have a stress fracture based on my explanation of pain, where the pain is and that it is triggered by pushing down on my tibia, or in some cases - you don't even have to push down on it. I also have a strained calf muscle, and my facia (sp?) is swollen. I guess this is the tissue between my calf muscle and tibia. I don't speak medgeek, k - so bare with me.

So, after our talk - it was "no running for 3 months" to heal the stress fracture. And he said he would assume it was. If I want to make sure it's a stress fracture, I could drop some excessive cash on an MRI or X-ray to see. But then, it might not even show up on them. I'm not gonna do that. That would dip into my race money budget. hehe After he massaged my legs, he said my calf was strained and that it could be tissue/muscle damage. So, right now - we don't know. But, he said let's go with worst case scenerio. I go back in 3 weeks and I had homework when I left. I have to do certain daily stretches, and icing/heating. I'll start tomorrow with a 7-day ice/heat treatment.

Days 1-3: Ice only, 15 min, remove for 5-8 min, repeat ice 15 more
Days 4/5: Ice/heat contrast, Ice 15, remove, apply heat pad 5 min, repeat
Days 6/7: Heat only 15-20 min, repeat 2-4 times daily

After 7 days, I get to choose ice or heat. What a joy?

As far as workouts, I can do whatever I want that doesn't impact my shins. I can't even walk for exercise right now. I need to wait about 2 wks then I can start walking for fitness. So, I suppose I get to work on my cycling shorts tan line more now. Seriously, I'm gonna have to show my bike some much needed love and attention. I will probably do a lot more elliptical too.

I briefly mentioned that I signed up for a half. So, that money's gone down the drain. We were exciting about going to Virgina Beach to do the half. I guess I'll be a spectator/photographer for David and Chris (Gman) at this year's RnR half there.

Since I was there later than expected and wasn't able to meet my training buddy at 5 (I showed up where she was riding at 5:50), I didn't get my ride in. But, guilt got to me peeps. I got home, we did our usual Wed night-Mexican night dinner, and had to get a few groceries. We got home at 8pm, and by 8:15 I had talked myself into riding outside. Yep, you heard that right. I didn't want to get on the trainer tonight. So, I put my reflective vest on and was off. Since, it was getting dark, I wanted to stay nearby so I did loops of this over and over, up and down the same roads here, parking lots there - basically a lot of stopping and starting - but at the same time, I wanted to get used to my new gearing. It workout out well.

I knew what I was in store for when I stepped into the massage joint today. I knew something was wrong, and the best way to heal would be time off of running, which would bum me out. I have been wanting to run badly lately and every run I set out on has been a disappointment because it hurts. So, I want to heal up and will listen to what he says. But, the good news is - is that once healed, I will run again and I will do more races. This time will also give me a chance to work more on my cycling and swimming. So, this is just a bump in the road.

To show you all how a typical ride goes for myself. I can't seem to have a ride that doesn't involve either flipping my bike over and having to replace the chain (dropping it from gearing wrong), or just getting grease on my legs for no reason. My nose and neck had grease too. I'm such a noobie still.


Good night!

OCN: 10.14 mi, 44:54, 13.55 mph

21 comments:

Kevin said...

Doh! That really stinks about the stress fracture! Definitely sounds like one. If the pain is confined to one small area. And yes, it is rare to see stress fractures on Xray. Heal up and feel better. I guess you will have many weeks of swim and bike focused training and you will be stronger for that

Laura said...

Ouch - hope your stress fracture heals quickly so you'll be back to running soon!

Nikki said...

As painful as your injury sounds you are just so upbeat sounding! I ♥ that!!

It's a good thing you have a hottie bike boy to help you learn the ins and outs of the bike :D

Marcy said...

Oooohhh Mendy I'm sorry chica :-( But hey look, you're not alone. Viv and I are going to check the male stripper action (excuse me, sorry David I meant go "grocery shopping") Come join us! Who says being on the sideline can't be fun? ;-) Seriously though, I hope it heals up supa fast. I know how bad it sucks to have to sit out :-(

Steve Stenzel said...

Dang. That sucks a big monkey. Good luck recovering...

Wes said...

Bummer about the shins :-( At least you found the silver lining!! Cycling and swimming more is always fun I say :-)

Lauren Starks said...

that totally sucks. Heal quick, though!

RunnerGirl said...

Ouch - hope you're feeling better soon. Shin splint pain is the worst, and it sounds like you've moved way beyond that. Take care of yourself :)

Jess said...

That sucks about your shin pain, especially since it may be a stress fracture! Ugh.

Chris said...

WOW! Mendy, that's terrible. Very sorry to hear but in the end you will come out the other side stronger and I would imagine that you will have a new found love for running. I remember when I pulled my hip flexor at the get-your-rear-in-gear 1/2 in Januray of 2008.I was scared senseless with the thought of not being able to run. But, some PT and time off REALLY made a huge difference and really made me want to train when I came throug it.

Best of luck! I'll be pulling for you.

Oh, BTW, I know hte feeling of having to walk away from race cash already spent! yikes....... Hopefully it won't be too bad just watching...

Erin Leigh said...

Sorry that you have to take the time off but it sounds like it has been bothering you for a long time. It will nice to just have it out of your life completely.

Good job getting out there on your bike!!

J~Mom said...

Oh geeesshhh!!!! It totally makes sense how the pain kept coming back and back. I am sooo sorry!!! BUT you have a super attitude and I know we can make the time go by super quick. You could probably roll your registration to January...just sayin'.

Paul said...

Bummer!! Get better soon. If you can't get your money back or roll the reg over, just do the bike and swim and drop out on the run. It's a really good workout then and still gives you a feel for the distance.

The 311 Boys Mom said...

that sucks. I had shin splints SUPER bad back in Sept---I was limping for weeks. I skipped the MRI too. I went to PT 3 days a week for ultrasound, ice, massage & electric stimuli, then after 2 weeks I got stretches & walking exercises.

she said she'd never felt it shin splints so bad---it felt like a bunch of lumps up my shin--

then in Feb/March, I had the stress fractures & torn muscle in the thigh (femur stress fract)---

well, if you read FRAYED LACES, you'll know lots of the BIKE built her speed with no running for months!!!

Oh & I got my work looking into that SHAPE UP NATION thing----thanks!

Paul said...

On second thought maybe you meant half mary not half iron. :)

Unknown said...

I'm really sorry to hear about the stress fracture. Recovering from an injury is never fun. I guess the good news is you should get plenty of work in pool.

Lily on the Road said...

oh girlfriend, I'm sorry to hear about the stress fracture....think long term, you want to be able to get around at my age!! take great care of yourself....

Viv said...

Mendy you are so cute with your greasy hands. girl, I would not even know how to put the chain back on at this point. So mega noob here. I am so sorry with the shins. I am here with you. I had a stress fracture on the tibia that required crutches for a week keeping all weight off. We can still cycle and swim and pool run so we can get through this and hopefully stronger. Hang in there I am you injured bud when it starts getting to ya. I know last stress frature i was hitting the pantry a lot so email me if you get down we can tough it out :-)

Michelle said...

OMG, Mendy! I am so sorry your injury will keep you sidelined for so long!!! I would go crazy!!

sunshine said...

So sorry to hear about the stress fracture! If we lived closer, at least we could comisserate by going to happy hour.

Hang in there and heal quickly!

Nancy said...

Oh hon, I'm so sorry about the stress fracture. It does really sound like that though with the pushing down making it worse. At least you can bike and swim. If it's any consolation, Deena Kastor had to take several months off for a stress fracture, cycling and pool running her way back to winning the Chicago marathon.

I love your sexy new picture. You look amazing!!