Post by reginaphalange72 on Aug 23, 2015 13:36:27 GMT -5
Diagnosed with a navicular stress fracture this week. (We skipped the MRI since I didn't want to shell out another $500 for my deductible, but it's a pretty solid diagnosis even without that.) My 100 miler is 4 weeks away. I'm in a boot and staying off it as much as possible. Trying to be a very good patient.
Until 4 weeks from now when I toe the start line at my 100 anyway.
Just booked the race weekend condo for me, my running partner, and our crews/pacers.
I'm well aware it's not smart, and I very likely will not make it all the way through, but GODDAMMIT, I AM RUNNING THIS FUCKER. I don't care if it puts me out of commission for a couple months after.
Just be so careful! I had a friend who had the same thing and she was out for a long time. It just never got better. She's still not running much. And it's been about 2 years.
Eesh, just be careful. A friend of mine developed plantar fasciitis last summer training for the Chicago marathon, and was bound and determined to do whatever aqua jogging + minimal road running it took to NOT GIVE UP on having sunk the entry + travel costs (airfare, etc.). Unfortunately she ended up rupturing it anyway, and a year later is still not running. I think she feels differently now about the criticality of Chicago 2014 (which she didn't end up getting to do anyway) than she did when she was trying to push through.
I know your injury is not PF, and hopefully you'll have a different outcome. Just be careful! I don't want to see anyone as frustrated for as long as she is.
Are we actually supposed to answer this question?? LOL Because I want to always try & be supportive, but......
Nope. People with a run of the mill stress fracture are out for over 4 weeks. People who run 100 miles on a not yet healed stress fracture? Well, I guess we'll see.
I will cross my fingers for you & wish for the best!! I know it sucks. I'm sorry.
This is pretty stupid and that's coming from someone who can be stubborn and stupid too. Usually you are looking at 6 weeks non weightbearing. At least. The middle portion of the navicular doesn't have great blood supply and doesn't heal quickly. It also takes A LOT of force when walking and running. There are times it needs to be surgically corrected even if someone follows all the rules. You are putting yourself at high risk of injuring it more by starting the race. Plus what happens if you get into the race and the pain is too much? Aren't most of these self supported so basically you will be out in the wilderness by yourself and injured? (Not trying to be snarky, legitimate question) I'm sorry. The timing of this sucks.
Post by reginaphalange72 on Aug 23, 2015 13:49:57 GMT -5
I know it's completely stupid. I will be very carefully assessing at each aid station. I'm honestly expecting to get about 10 miles in and stop, but figure it's worth a shot, since most of the time I'll just be walking anyway.
There are fairly regular aid stations, so I'll never be very far from something.
I could not imagine running on a stress fracture, knowing that it could make it worse. You need to think of your running future. Do you want to run well into your 60s or 70s or stop for good in your early 30s?
Post by venice2007 on Aug 23, 2015 13:52:47 GMT -5
I'm stupid with running too but even i wouldn't do this. Like joenali said, think about your running future. It's better to miss one race now than all the rest of the races ever! I know it's hard. I've been there. Run when I shouldn't have and had to take longer to heal and time off.
Post by reginaphalange72 on Aug 23, 2015 13:56:08 GMT -5
This is yet another reason why I love all of you. You don't sugar coat things and you are brutally honest. I really appreciate that. I do know and acknowledge that this is by far the stupidest thing I could do. I'm just not ready to give up on it yet. But I promise promise promise that I will be very careful, and not let myself get permanently injured.
I could not imagine running on a stress fracture, knowing that it could make it worse. You need to think of your running future. Do you want to run well into your 60s or 70s or stop for good in your early 30s?
You can do this when you heal up!
[br Yes all this! I think what we can all learn from joenali is how to be patient with injury. Think down the road a bit.
Post by reginaphalange72 on Aug 23, 2015 14:00:17 GMT -5
I do feel like I should elaborate a bit here...
I’m not assuming I’m going to run. But I’m going to do everything I can for the next 4 weeks to make it the best it can be, and then I’ll assess just before race day. I’m not going to go out and run if it hurts just walking around right from the start. That’s stupid. But if it feels okay, I’ll try it and see how it goes. If it starts to get painful (which it probably will, I know), I’ll stop.
ETA: And I did get insurance on the lodging just in case. So I promise I'm not going to do this NO MATTER WHAT. That was more in a frustrated, joking tone in the OP, but I suppose that doesn't come across very well in text.
When i had my stress fracture (anterior upper fibula), but before it was diagnosed and i was being stubborn and was in denial, i would literally cry from the pain on every run, and wishing it wasnt there. And mine was small. And these were like 5 or 6 mile runs. That was 2013. I couldnt run for 6 weeks, no boot. Im still not back to where i was preinjury, and i cant imagine what itmwouldve felt like doing distance with it.
Don't do it. There will be other races. Go and support your team and the other runners. I've been there (and am there) and it SUCKS) especially considering the months of training you've already put in. It's just not worth it.
Dude, no. Don't do this. The navicular is the WORST bone to break/fracture/stress fracture because it gets the least amount of blood supply for healing. Typically it's a longer healing bone to begin with, but adding more stress on top of it?
You know the race will be here next year. I know being injured sucks, trust me. I know you want to do this. But you need to step back and think long term. What you are proposing has the potential to seriously fuck you up. No race is worth that, especially when I know your goals extend far beyond this one race.
I agree with the others. Don't do it. Go support others or volunteer but don't run it, walk it, or whatever you plan. You already know you can't finish and you will have to stop due to the injury so why do it and risk further injury that may incapacitate you for much longer?
Regina We love you, girl. I really don't want to see you seriously hurt yourself and be out for a legit long time. I would go support/volunteer this year
I know I'm not a big presence on this board, but I'm going to echo the others and I want to add my two cents. I'm healing from a stress fracture and am still in a boot right now, so trust me, I totally understand you wanting to do this! I'm going crazy right now. All I want to do is go out for a quick run. BUT I know that if I tried to run right now it's just un-doing all of the rest and rehab that's already gone into my foot and it'll just take longer to heal. Not to mention a waste of all the money I've also had to shell out for my doctor's appointments, this damn boot, the steroid shot, etc etc etc.
Even if it feels okay, what do you have to gain by running some of it when you clearly know you shouldn't? All it's going to do for you is end up being an expensive 10 (obviously just a guess) mile run. And I don't know you personally, but I know I would be kicking myself if I had to start the 4 weeks I've already put in to heal all over again.
I don't know, I know you said you were joking and that you'll be smart about it, but you know the best thing for you to do is volunteer, so hopefully you'll be able to reach the rest of your fitness goals in the future. Please be smart about this - this race will be here in the future and I want to hear your recap next year!
You have two choices : Not start and know your prognosis. Start and end up with a worse prognosis.
You're sad and frustrated now looking out your window. Think about what that's going to feel like for even longer. If you really think you're going to be okay with that, then ok.
Honestly? I don't think you should. I know you probably will, but I really really hope you don't.
I have been in a similar situation (although with a marathon, not a 100) and my family thankfully talked me out of racing. I'm so glad they did. There is absolutely NOTHING to gain from starting. NOT.A.THING. Because you know you're not going to finish, and whatever you do could set you up for far more serious injury.
Be patient even though I know it TOTALLY sucks sending you LOTS of healing vibes!!
Post by venice2007 on Aug 23, 2015 18:04:00 GMT -5
One more point: I'm living proof rest and patience works:
Car accident 5 years ago: 2 months flat on my back, 2 months LIMITED activity, 2 months easing in. Started running again after 10 years off bc of my pt and recover. Found better strength. Better shape and felt stronger from pt, rest and recoverying well especially when they said I'd never run again!
2 years ago hamstring injury. 7 weeks off. Had to start back at mile ONE slowly week by week. Running 2000 miles this year
I’m not assuming I’m going to run. But I’m going to do everything I can for the next 4 weeks to make it the best it can be, and then I’ll assess just before race day. I’m not going to go out and run if it hurts just walking around right from the start. That’s stupid. But if it feels okay, I’ll try it and see how it goes. If it starts to get painful (which it probably will, I know), I’ll stop.
ETA: And I did get insurance on the lodging just in case. So I promise I'm not going to do this NO MATTER WHAT. That was more in a frustrated, joking tone in the OP, but I suppose that doesn't come across very well in text.
Obviously you should not do this. Think big picture and be smart. It makes no sense to start a 100 if you have no expectation of running a single mile and anticipate walking 10 miles. Why take all that risk for a 10 mile hike? And given you have insurance on the lodging, it makes even less sense. You can get some of your money back - and you can avoid wasting your time and the time of all your crew members.
Please be smart. We all know it sucks, but a stress fracture is not something you can power through.
Hugs. I'm not going to weigh in on this, because I'm not knowledgeable. I just wanted to say I'm sorry that you're not going to get the race you wanted. Regardless of what you decide. You've trained hard and this is such an unfortunate setback. I have no doubt you will kick ass in many more races to come.