I just got home from the sports medicine doctor, and I’m still trying to process what he told me.
When you go to the sports medicine doctor in your work clothes, they give you special stretchy shorts to wear.
The good:
- He doesn’t think I have a stress fracture. Due to my low amounts of pain, he said he’d be pretty surprised if it was a stress fracture, but if the pain doesn’t improve in 3-4 weeks, he’ll order an MRI
- He seemed like a good doctor. He was nice, didn’t seem rushed, and really listened to me. He explained to me all about my muscle that was hurting and why.
- He said I can bike! (Okay, that’s sarcasm).
The bad:
- He said to keep resting…for a “few” weeks…and then he said a scarier thing “four” weeks. Um, Ragnar is in four weeks.
- He said no elliptical until I go a “few” days with no pain. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I really hate the elliptical, it’s super boring. But it’s better than nothing.
- I forgot to use my list (which is really not a surprise), so other than resting and orthotics, he didn’t give me much advice. I think this is probably because resting is so super important, but I am kicking myself that I forgot to ask him ANY of my questions.
- He said that when I do run again, I need to start “gradual.” What the heck does that mean? I hate gradual.
In conclusion: Diagnosis dumb girl. Really. According to him, I got this by being dumb (no, he didn’t say that, but really, it’s true). I injured myself by pretending I am a better runner than I am and ignoring my body. Dumb girl.
People. Don’t be like me.
This is how I feel about the news.
I have very mixed feelings about all of this. I’m not sure how to feel. I’m glad it’s (most likely) not a stress fracture. But I’m sad that his rules are really close to encroaching on Ragnar. I kind of thought he might say, “It’s not a stress fracture, so go ahead and run!”
He did not say that.
Tell me a story of something dumb you did, so that I’ll feel better about my dumb thing. Ready? Go!
I’m so so so SO sorry Becky. At least you probably don’t have a stress fracture? I think you already know this story but I’m the dumbest in the world for running on a stress fracture (fibula) until I broke it ALL THE WAY THROUGH. Now THAT’S something a dumb person does.
Oh dang. That sounds terrible. I think part of why I’m sad about what he said is that I haven’t run for 5 weeks! I really thought that I was being so good and therefore I should be all healed!!! I guess not. Shouldn’t have got for the “intermediate” training plan in the first place!
I haven’t got a dumb storry, sorry. But your picture did remind me of this http://dragonsrabbitsandroosters.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/puss-in-boots-sad-eyes.jpg Get well soon, I’m sure you’ll be ok in time.
Yeah, Puss in Boots and I both have a dramatic flair!
You might be able to get your place deferred until next year if you cant make it. I broke my ankle a few weeks before a 10k last year, ran it this year instead. Its crap I know, but you have to think long term.
Oh that sucks so bad! It’s so hard to pull back, but it is necessary sometimes. I have done my fair share on dumb things – like just recovering from my marathon 3 months later because I didn’t rest and recovery correctly and jumped RIGHT back into training irritating a benign injury into a beast. The truth is you don’t want to push it and have a long term injury. Maybe you can work out a deal with Nuun & Ragnar to get a replacement and then try to snag a spot next year or on another team. Hang in there – it totally blows!
I’m going to be really, really good = no elliptical and no hiking and really hope that I’m ready for Ragnar! We’ll see. But I promise to be good.
Dang I’m sorry!! The waiting game sucks, no doubt. But it is good you don’t have a stress fracture—doesn’t sound like you do—and remember your patience will pay off! When you’re running again, this time will seem insignificant. Hang in there!
Thanks! I’m going to try to be really good!
That’s the saddest face ever! But he didn’t say “no” to Ragnar! I got the okay from my chiro to run my half marathon last December like 3 weeks before the race – with strict instructions not to do inclines (good thing it was Vegas) and to not weave (uh..it was a RnR race..weaving is part of the game)! So you may not be able to do Ragnar in the top condition you’d like but you still might get to do it!!
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m going to be really good and hope for the best!
Oh man Becky…I’m sorry for this news and super selfishly I really really really want you to run Ragnar so rest rest rest so you can run run run Ragnar! I can tell you two dumb things I did today. 1…I forgot about my automatic car payment so I overdrew my checking account and 2…minutes later I killed a squirrel on my way to work. And P.S. You are NOT dumb…you are a normal runner
Oh man, those are terrible things!
That car payment thing would have made me mad…I’m so scared of automatic payments just for that reason!!! I’m very hopeful about Ragnar…honestly my shins have improved a TON with rest, so I think it’s reasonable to think that I could be running in two weeks if I follow dr’s orders! We’ll see!
Give it time girl…you will heal up soon! Definitely better to rest it now and wait to get back to 100% than to jump back in too soon and risk long term injury. I know it’s hard but hang in there. Rely on your friends and family for support! Hope you have a speedy recovery!!
Thanks for your encouragement! I know I made things way worse by jumping back too quickly, so hopefully I’ve learned my lesson this time around!
You aren’t dumb. Lesson learned! I hope it doesn’t mess with Ragnar, but if it does… there are 80 other Ragnars and you will live to run another day. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, LADY!
Well…I was a little dumb. But I will keep my head up! Everything’s going to be fine!!!
Ugh! I was hoping he would have more insight. More not running? WAH!
I totally did the same thing when I got my first stress fracture in 2009. I ran my first half under 2:00 and thought that was the pace I should run for all my long training runs for my first marathon that fall… which I did not do because I was injured. LAME.
I like your “WAH” for me! That’s how I feel. I’m taking the doc’s words seriously and trying to be good…but I find that I need to walk to get places. So that’s not good!