MCL injury

GMAN 19030

So I tweaked my MCL while running on Saturday.  I'm very confident I didn't do any serious damage to it (like a tear) because it didn't swell up.  I certainly bruised/strained it as you can see in the images below.

I've been reading up about MCL bruises and it's apparently nothing serious and it should clear up in 1-2 weeks.  I've been resting it, icing it, taking NSAIDs, and all that.  It feels much better than it did over the weekend.  I'm going to try an easy bike ride tomorrow to see how that feels.  I stress easy.  No way I'm running this week.

The shitty part is that I have IMAZ in less than four weeks and this fubar'd my planned core training weeks (3-4 weeks out).  My run training has already been shitty since I was coming off a Plantar Plate Tear that cost me about 10 weeks of run training.  I don't know what to expect from my run at IMAZ.  I have a shit ton of base training built over the last three years (including training for three IM's and about 10 HIM's).  I'm going to have to rely on that base to get me through that run.

I've just had an injury and illness riddled fall that has resulted in sub-optimal training.

That's assuming my MCL injury isn't more serious than I think it is.  I'm going to a doctor this week if I'm not able to bike ride without pain.

Anything else I should be doing or looking out for?

Dino Sarti

I think you nailed it. Don't aggravate it and show up on race 100% sound even if not as fit as you wanted. Then perhaps change your goals to see if you can set a new PR for a limited training IM?

Sorry about the tough year. I am cheering for McCallum Nation!

John Withrow

The good news is that the MCL heals really well on it's own and the motion of SBR doesn't put a whole lot of strain on it. I partially tore my MCL when I was wrestling in college and never missed a match. Had to tape it and had a decent amount of pain, but wrestling has you all twisted up and puts all kinds of medial and lateral strain on your knees.

Definitely ice it on and off throughout the whole day, 20 mins or so on at a time and do this many times during the day. Take NSAIDS like candy. Take it easy for a couple of days, your fitness is what it is, who knows the rest may be good for you. Count on that base to get you through. No more trail running and be careful in the dark. Take mental solace in the fact that you are very unlikely to injure it further if you SBR on it and it will heal up fine if you take a few weeks off after the race. Even a full MCL tear will heal up in 6-9 weeks, what you describe doesn't sound like a full tear. Will likely be good as new in a couple of weeks if you are smart with it.

GMAN 19030

Thanks for the words. It's just frustrating that I get into a good training groove and get hit with another injury or illness.

I plan on taking six weeks off after IMAZ to let my body fully recuperate.