Friday, November 14, 2008

In which I have a stupid leg.

Back in August I did a sprint triathlon and then started doing some heavier training and it was then that my left leg first started whispering to me that it might have had enough, thank you very much. Then on August 31st I did the New Mexico relay it turned into a loud murmer. As a former teacher, I've learned to ignore loud murmers and so in mid-September, I did another run - the Colorado Relay - and it seemed to be annoyed, but I could still run at my usual pace.

I was banking, of course, on the fact that my legs seemed to be invincible. Slow as well, yes, but sturdy. That's me. Sturdy. Every woman's dream is to be described as "sturdy" isn't it? But anyway.
Then, of course, I tried to do a teensy weensy run in my neighborhood about a week later, and, well, that was it. Pfffttt. Game OVER. Stupid leg.

From then on, it's been this pain that is very localized in my left shin, a bit toward the inside, about 3-4 inches above my ankle. I've had it x-rayed, but is was negative, which means it's either broken or not broken, according to what I've read and heard from people who know a lot and people who know a little. Helpful.

The problem, as many people have unfortunately discovered, with a leg or foot injury is that you develop all sorts of ancillary problems. You hobble a bit, so maybe your hip gets sore, or maybe your knee aches, or your back gets spazzy from the uneven gate. The possibilities are endless.


In any case I in October I did a 50K on an injured leg because YES, I'M JUST ABOUT THAT STUPID and after that my feet and hips hurt like hell and, well, I couldn't do much of anything, except hike on trails. Stupid leg.

So I've finally taken it easy during the rest of October and finally, now, it's November 12, and I can still feel an ache there when I walk but I can finally run, at least. I'm only running on trails until I can't feel that ache any more. Sunday I ran 5 miles continuously, about as many as I've run since I did the 50k at the beginning of October, and a fairly decent pace for me, but my hips and feet hurt.

So now I'm back to building up endurance in all those other places: hips, knees, back, feet - that go with running long distances. I doing the elliptical hopefully twice a week and running twice a week and spin, as well.
I did the elliptical before work this morning and it was AWESOME - I watched the news and worked out and now I'm all informed and hyper and feeling good about myself. I told Baboo I want to do it as often as possible.
Then I went and had a huge gut-busting lunch but, ok, I'm still on the right path.

...

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:15 PM

    Injuries are so frustrating!! The elliptical is a great alternative and it's great that you enjoy it.

    I know what you mean about other injuries popping up when you overcompensate from another one. When achilles was super tight, I could really feel my hip sore on the same side. Also, Jeff said I limped ALOT...and I didn't even realize it!

    Hang in there :)

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  2. Anonymous4:16 PM

    Wow...I have a lot of typos in that comment!! I just did push-ups and core work - my arms and fingers must be tired ;-)

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  3. Back on June 13th (yes I remember the date), I had a bike accident resulting in 2 breaks of the scapula and crushed the end of my clavicle. It is just now that my upper body is feeling normal, yet still a bit weaker.

    Anyway I have 2 yoga DVD's that just saved my running. Running was going terrible for me (and my legs) until I started them. I just have to recommend it.

    I hope your leg gets better soon!

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  4. I have a sore hip/leg problem and I know its definitely not from over-working it like yours. Quite the opposite, I'm afraid....

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  5. Howdy--linked out to your blog through a friend of a friend of a friend, and I'm enjoying your train of thought.

    Sorry to hear about your injury. Your pain/symptoms sound exactly like what I had about 10 years ago when I was a high jumper. Pain in the bone, hurt when you pressed on it, hurt to run. Very localized. The diagnosis was a VERY LARGE stress fracture. The cure: rest and switching to shoes that actually cushioned and supported my feet (I haven't worn Nikes since). With all of the miles you are putting in, it's quite possible you could have the same thing.

    Stress fractures won't show on x-rays, MRIs, etc--you have to have a bone scan done. (They put some minimally radioactive stuff in your system through an IV, then you get to go into a fun scanning machine like they do with a CAT scan.) I'd go pester your doc about having it done....before it gets so bad you can't walk! :-/

    Good luck, and keep up the good writing! :o)

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  6. Oh geez, how frustrating! Did you ever get an MRI? I had a stress fracture in my ankle a few years ago and it took me a long time mentally to not think I was hurting or that it was still injured. Hopefully your shin is all better since you've been taking care of it.

    On the flip side, every time it starts to get cold around here it hurts where my stress fracture was. Weird, eh?

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