Let’s start off with the good news. I lost 2-1/2 pounds this week. Yay! Okay, now for the other news:
Today, I met with a podiatrist at a sports medicine clinic in Seattle. The specific doctor was recommended by Coach Tony Williams of Always Running. Tony, in case you don’t remember, is the running coach whom I contacted about a story idea I had. That same night, he read my blog post (here), and the next day he called me with a warning about running on my painful lower legs. I met with him. He said I had shin splints and calf strain. He really stressed that I stop running, not do the marathon I’d been training for and, he said, I should go see Dr. Reeves.
I did the first two things (well, I didn’t completely stop, but I slowed waaaay down and hit the bike more than the pavement). I don’t know why I didn’t go see Dr. Reeves sooner. Laziness, maybe. Wishful thinking.
So, I’ve started running a little bit more now that my calves and shins have been feeling better. I even announced my new plan yesterday.
Guess what? New plan ain’t happenin’.
Dr. Reeves talked to me about running, then pushed on my shins. Ouch! It didn’t take long for him come to a conclusion: STRESS FRACTURE in my left tibia. Eight to 12 weeks, at least, to heal. He told me I was very lucky.
Lucky that I stopped when I did or I probably would’ve broken it all the way through. He said if I had seen him in May, he would’ve put me in a boot. So it’s probably healed up a little by now, but since I haven’t been off of it completely (still running here and there, walking/running the half a couple of weeks ago, etc.), I still have 8-12 weeks to go.
Prescription: pool running, bike and elliptical. Return in 3 weeks for a check up and custom orthotics.
Oh and, to top it all off, I have bunions. Sweet.
10 comments
A fracture… holy cow! Great that you got in and got a proper diagnosis & also that you listened to your body (& coach Tony) to slow down when you did. Did the podiatrist suggest what caused the fracture? Could it have been from improper gait, or just one foot place wrong in one specific instance? That's cool you can go on the elliptical… I find it does quite replace actual run training, but it does keep your cardio fitness up & blasts through calories like running does.
OH NO!!!!!!!!! SO sorry to read this, having been there twice, I know how bad it sucks 🙁 Thankfully you can still do some stuff, and go back to your love of the pool in the meantime. Hugs… take care of yourself.
I've had a stress fracture also – it SUCKS! Embrace your time on the bike and in the pool and try to remember that it could have been worse. Hey, maybe it's time to train for a triathlon!
Doh that sucks, I'm glad you stopped running when you did! Think of the upside you won't have to run outside in the heat of summer (okay wishful thinking on the summer part :P) you get to run in a nice cool pool!
oh big fat POO! I'm sorry to hear this! What a bummer! I'm so so glad it did not break all the way! I had a friend who broke his shin, it was not a pretty sight. Good luck with all your water running, biking, and eliptical. =/
EEEEKKK SO sorry to hear this 🙁
Oh no! So sorry! You are strong and will get through this. HUGS and get a cute new suit!
Oh no! Sorry to hear that, but you are right – thank goodness you stopped/slowed when you did. Hope you have a speedy recovery!
Wow…quite a change of plans in your life! I think pool running just sounds kinda fun and funny! The elliptical is so easy compared to running on the treadmill. I usually watch tv while I am doing it and time goes by a little quicker. I have been having knee problems lately from running and taking it easy on the running and doing other things as helped. You will recover in no time…hang in there!
Congrats on the weightloss but sorry about the stress fracture! Glad you saw the doc and at least you have a new game plan in mind. I should be swimming too but I don't know how I feel about doing it!