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Broke my collarbone - want to maintain fitness

So Victoria 70.3 is a week away and I broke my collarbone today. I’m super bummed as I was pretty much in the shape of my life. I would love some advice about healing fast and maintaining my fitness level.
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  • I’m no doctor @Jane Hargraft like many around here, but that one just takes time to heal. Unfortunately it will require you to use another discipline, patience. As for staying fit, I would talk to the doctor about what is ok and what is not. I would guess trainer rides would be ok at some point with the other two disciplines coming in a bit later after the bone has healed.

    sorry to hear about the injury. I hope it heals fast!
  • Dang @Jane Hargraft that totally sucks.  Are you asking about healing fast to hopefully race again this year?
  • wow - Victoria must be unlucky.  I too broke my collarbone and 3 ribs a couple weeks ago and can't participate in Victoria!  I've been walking / hiking so far and just started getting back on the bike trainer.  My orthopedic surgeon gave me lots of advice on exercises, PT (starting at 6 weeks post surgery), and what I should / shouldn't do (basically start with the trainer w/out any pressure on shoulder, start running when it's comfortable to do so, and wait on swimming until next post surgery apt.)  Supper frustrating and in addition to missing out on Victoria (and several other planned events this summer) I'm worried I'll not be ready for IM Wisconsin in September.  Fingers crossed and hope to increase the workouts this week.
  • thanks guys - I am hoping to heal fast and do whatever to maintain my level of fitness so I can race again this season. I see my orthopedist tomorrow (great guy, he's emailing me now). @Kent Gavin it sounds like you had a heck of a crash - ribs as well. Happily I wasn't going at speed or ot would have been worse for me. Paul yes i do want to race this year - when I fell I was a flood of tears as soon as I tried to get up - I knew I'd seriously hurt myself. @Scott Giljum I do not do patience well. Time to practice! 

    My ortho treated my frozen shoulder 6 years ago and I was able to do IM Canada as a result, so I'm in good hands for treatment. 

    Gentlemen I really appreciate your responses. I walked yesterday and today (5 and 4.5 miles) and I think this is going to be it for me for the next two weeks. Then I'll try my bike on the trainer (assuming I can get on the damned thing). 
  • @Jane Hargraft Sorry to hear about this.  I started this post, got distracted and never sent it.  I've never had a break and my dislocation was years ago when I was young.  Depending on the severity of the break some stuff I've read are that healing times are faster with surgery.  Listen to the doctor, the fitness will come back.  For me the key is ensuring you get range of motion back or as much as possible which will be important on the swim. 

    Cycling on the trainer then a return to running seems to be the process although there can be week(s) between the two again depending upon the severity of the injury and your pain tolerance.  

  • should be a lot of people chiming in as many here have broken theirs and gone on to great next races, @Coach Patrick for one! Heal up fast!
  • @Jane Hargraft From back in the day:

    http://pmccrann.posthaven.com/broken-collarbone-lessons-from-a-triathlete 

    Can't believe it's been FIVE YEARS. Reezus. There's more probably before / after that time...keep us posted on the surgery plans. 

    Best, 

    ~ Coach P
  • Thanks scott, @Gordon Cherwoniak and @Coach Patrick  - the good news is that my ortho says no surgery. I am seeing his team tomorrow and will get a plan to get back on track. The bad news is that the jerks at IM won't allow me a transfer and won't even comp me into the VIP spectator space so I can cheer on my training partner. I have refused to withdraw. I will register, get all the stuff I paid for, and then DNS. Bums. I dunno if you have any sway with thes
  • @Coach Patrick I just read your article - I've pretty much done all of of what you recommend. Sleeping propped up. I was offered Oxy and opted for 222s (Tylenol with codeine) - those made me loopy so I am on motrin during the day and one 222 at night. I get out of my sling 3 times a day and move my arm around. It's not v comfortable but I do it. 

    I'm dying to get back at it. :-(
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