When Injury Strikes.....

Two days before my leg injury at the Richmond Tri Club Sprint on April 27th 

Last year in triathlon was a great year for me and since having gotten serious towards the end of 2011 I had never experienced an injury until January of this year. This year might be marked as my year of injuries. What I'm learning is that I need to learn to listen to my body. If it hurts, don't do it, and it just makes matters worse if you ignore it. This is apparently my life lesson for the year.

I did three sprint triathlons in April and after the third (Richmond Tri Club Sprint) I did a short run a couple of days after the race on April 29th and my left leg became very inflamed in my shin area almost with a big knot over my shin. I ofcourse tried to get through the run even though I was in alot of pain. I ended up taking that week off from running because that upcoming weekend I had yet another sprint triathlon (Appalachian Power Smith Mountain Lake Sprint). I got through the run even if it wasn't that pretty or comfortable and I continued to run on that swollen leg until on May 15th when I realized that I had not been able to finish any runs since the end of April due to the pain and I was running SO slow it wasn't beneficial as far as training was concerned. I finally had to let my coach know and I finally had to face the reality that this injury was keeping me away from something I love.

So I took off three weeks from running but the pain and inflammation never subsided. Getting an appointment with an Orthopedic doctor was extremely difficult but I was finally able to get an appointment with an Orthopedic Physicians Assistant. My appointment was on June 6th. X-rays didn't show signs of a stress fracture so the verdict is medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) without an MRI and regardless the path of treatment is the same. The PA was very pessimistic and I've been told by a great friend who was helping me feel better that it is their job to give the worst news possible and maybe a better outcome occurs. But his verdict was:

1. No racing this summer. It means missing several Virginia Triathlon Series races I am already signed up for. It could also mean not placing in the series for the year.

2. He is doubtful for the Age Group National Championships in August. He thinks if I'm able to run at that point I would not be running competitively. I signed up for both the Olympic and Sprint already. 

3. It could take 6 months to one year to actually heal.

4. No running for sure for 7 weeks and maybe at that point I MIGHT be allowed to fast walk.

At this point I've started to realize how much I define my life by something I love so much: TRIATHLON. I LOVE to race, I love to train, I love combining and working on all three disciplines. I love the challenge. I love the goals. I think about it and read about it continually. How did I live without this before? Even my seven year old daughter cried when I told her because she loves travelling to races that much! And really, the doctor's offices need to make sure the tissue box is filled when they tell people these things! Luckily they could get me a box ha ha. 

Or more!!!!!!!

I wasn't sure the day could go more downhill. I mean, really, I should be thankful I didn't have a bone tumor or a broken leg, right? It was just giving up most of my year's goals and the freedom I get from running? It could be worse. Well, after leaving the doctor's office we stopped to get my 12 day dosage of steroids which should help get the inflammation down in my leg, when the car tire started to go flat. We did make it to a gas station but the tire was flat with a nail in it. To top it off I had ordered Chinese take away and when I called to possibly cancel my order the nice lady told me "You dinner done!" My husband came and saved the day and replaced the flat with the spare tire and several hours later we made it to the Chinese restaurant where they were nice enough to make us fresh food! So really, the flat tire was a good distraction. All you can do really is laugh!

I could go swim my sorrows out in the pool if I didn't have an ear infection (swimmer's ear) and can't swim for 7 days. So, what does this mean? It means biking if it doesn't hurt, swimming, pool running, back to weights which I only did during the winter, and appointments with a physical therapist who will better know what I can do and the best way to heal. It has been hurting to bike so this week I'll do some easy spinning on my indoor bike trainer. 

It isn't the end of the world, but for a serious age-group triathlete with big goals for the year, it is a hard hit. It's not the end of the season either, I might can get better by Nationals, and I better be great by the Age Group World Championship in London or I might just be hanging out at the local pub closest to Hyde Park for six days as my ticket is purchased! So, what should you take away from this? Learn to listen to your body. I always ignore mine but my body is screaming for me to pippen up and listen to it!