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Injured Athlete Mojo Thread

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  • Good luck, Becky.  Keep us posted with your progress!  Hasn't all this weather been ridiculous???  I am over it!!!!  For the first day or so it was pretty and fun to be stuck inside.  I'm over that now though

  • Becky- hang in there! Columbia certainly is a bit risky if you can't really hold the bike, but Eagleman is a bit farther out and there's like what, 5 turns on the whole damn course? I'm hoping you can do it so I can finally meet you in person!

    I'm doing all my core work and massaging my calf, but the muscles are just soooo messed up in there- it's crazy. I think I might need to make a PT appt to get some electric stim stuff going to accelerate this process. Or maybe acupuncture? Hmmmmm.

    Some of you know my hubby injured his knee a few months ago. He's had several re-injury bouts along the way and finally went to see a doc that was recommended by the PT I usually see. She wants him to get an MRI and thinks its a cartilage issue. He goes for the MRI today and the results will indicate either surgery or PT work. So we've got 2 injured athletes now in this family!!!
  • @Melanie, hope you're okay... yikes, I'm worried and pulling for ya!

    PT is HARD... but I am an A++ student.  Since I've started doing some resistance work the therapist told me swimming without the brace is okay (since I'm alternating swimming and kicking when my hand gets tired), so I'll give that a whirl this weekend.  I don't expect it to be pretty or easy, but it will be good to get back at it and start rebuilding my endurance since I really haven't been swimming since my crash in August - I don't think I can wait until after OS if Columbia and/or Eagleman are gonna happen.

    This past weekend we got some melting and Sunday was sunny and upper 40's and I got to run outside... it was glorious!  I've never done pace zone runs before starting EN - I've trained in HR zones - and this was my first non-dreadmill attempt.  I did OK.  I averaged a bit slower in Z4 and Z5 than I should have, but I was close and I did some killer hills which slowed me down... but I "flew" downhill.

    I did 2x15s yesterday on the bike (week 6).  UGH is all I can say.  I can't run today so I'll pick up my run Friday.

    I hope everyone is healing up.  I'm inching my way way towards getting off the injured reserve list!

  • Becky- I'm so glad to hear things are progressing for you!  Fantastic!

    I am really really gonna need the help from the Injured Peeps over the next few weeks.  My calf feels really good and I'm planning to do a liitle running on the roads starting next week.  The frist time out my plan is to walk 15 min, run 5 min, and repleat.  That's it, just 10 minutes of running and not all at once either.  I'll slowly build up from there focusing on only running as far/fast as I can while keeping good form. 

    Where I KNOW I'm gonna need your help is in keeping me honest about this plan!  I know if I run 5 minutes without pain, I'm gonna be REALLY tempted to head out for an hour run the very next day and I'm gonna make all sorts of excuses for why I can do it too.  I need you guys to check in on me and make sure I'm not overdoing it!  So PLEASE help me!

    I hope everyone is making good progress.  It's been a looooooong road for many of us- I'm so thankful to have you all to lean on for support!

  • So, how's it going, Nemo? Sticking to the plan? Definitely ease back in to running...

    Doc said I can start weaning myself off the dynamic brace during the day (woot), but if I stat to notice the finger lagging, to ramp it up again. I still need to sleep in the static brace. I'm seeing the physical therapist 2x/week and doing PT on my own 3x/day. It hurts like heck, but I'm starting to feel the scar tissue break up!
    Gonna try my first swim/kick board session sans brace tomorrow - I don't expect it to be easy, we'll see.
  • Man, I bet getting that brace off is gonna feel great! I'll let you know how the running goes- tomorrow will be my maiden voyage! I'm just gonna run a few easy 2-3 minute intervals with walking breaks to test things out. I'm soooooooooooo nervous about it!!
  • Glad to hear people are progressing-

     Yaaaaah for becky getting brace off and PT, swimming

    Nemo- I hear ya on being scared, feel the same way.

    I mentioned on Facebook, I got the ok to start a slow run progression.Knee feeling good. That is being held up slight tweak of my back from sleeping on floor for 2 weeks in Haiti, also carrying my backpack. Can you say Frustration! I'm taking Tordal- a strong antiinflammatory for 5 days. I'm moving a little better now, hoping to  try some ez swimming and spin tomorrow to see if back ok. If I  have waited this long, I can wait a little longer

    Keep up the good work everyone

  • I know what you mean Tracy! Just when you think your ready to return to activity something else pops up! ARG!

    I ran today. Just 5x2min of easy jogging with 2 min walking in between. It's not much, and iit actually took a lot more out of me than I expected! I focused on my form the whole time to try to correct the real issues going on with the calfs. So far so good! But MAN, I was nervous!!!
  • Welcome home, Tracy!  Hang in there.. I know what you mean, it's been one thing after another for me for a while now... but I'm getting my head in a good place (trying to not sweat the small stuff and what I can't control)... and hoping I can get my body into a good place, too.  After eating pavement in Sept then surgery in Jan, I've managed to put on 10 pounds... ugh.  But I'm finally back at it as best as I can be which helps keep me sane.

    Glad your maiden voyage was incident free, Nemo!  Stick to the plan!  Don't do too much too soon...

    I'll let you know how my first brace-free swim goes.  Hopefully I can alternate swimming and kicking 250s but I'm gonna see how it feels.  Something is better than nothing.  (oh, and while I'm riding my trainer, I practice trying to engage the breaks with my left hand - can't do a full squeeze yet, but it's probably good to keep it moving  - who knew I could do PT while training)

  • I'm looking forward to hearing about that swim Becky! You may be able to do a fair amount of kicking/position drills and actually get a lot of benefit out of this time!
  • Great to hear so many of you successfully easing back into training! Just gotta continue with *cautious* optimism...and listen to your body.

    I've had several symptom-free bike rides, and just did a fantastic 5+ mile walk/run with no problems. The back does still occasionally bother me if I sit for too long in a bad chair, but otherwise so far so good.

    Keep up the great work everyone!
  • Michele- that's fantastic news! Sitting too long in a bad chair (or in a car) always flairs up my lower back issues. I carry a trigger point ball with my for long drives and put it behind/under me during the ride to work out tight spots. It helps me a lot!

    I had a fair amount of DOMS in my calfs after my Sunday run- so I'm going to continue to take it really easy on these "runs". I may even do my next one on a treadmill to have the softer surface. I promise folks, I'm being a very good girl!
  • Glad to head of your riding success, Michele!  That's great news!

    Nemo, I know how hard it is to be good... but it will be worth it.

    I did swim last night with just my middle and ring finger taped.  The first 5 laps felt great and I thought about doing more, but, taking a page from your book, Nemo, I stuck to my plan and grabbed the kickboard for another 250m before switching back to a swim.  I did another rotation but on the 3rd set I took a break and swam another 250 before kicking -- so I did 1750m total, 1000 swim and 750 kicking.  The hand was definitely tired and aching -- usually I can get 3 laps in before I notice, and by the end of the 5th I'm ready for the switch.  I tried to take it easy (and that was easy, no thoughts of sprinting popped into my head) and think about form... head position, hand entry position, reaching through with my shoulder, etc... it felt good to be in there although I have a long way to go - I think my endurance will be fine, I just hope my hand will cooperate.

    I have 2 weeks to pull the plug on Columbia in May and get some $$ back.  A lot can happen between now and then as far as improvement, but I definitely need my hands to do that ride.  I'd certainly like a race under my belt before Eagleman.  I think it will be a last minute decision. 

  • Becky- if you have to pull the plug on Columbia, don't sweat it. Eagleman will be my first race of the season too- nothing like a HIM to jump start your year!!! Best news is that we'll both have company out there!
  • Just checking in with my Injured Mafia buddies!! Mel, Becky, Michele, Jim, Tracy= how is everyone feeling??? Did I miss anyone?

    I'm being a good recovery girl and coming back very slowly. Yesterday I did 5x3' jogs and felt really good. But the best news was that this morning my calfs felt totally normal. None of that DOMS tightness I experienced the first day out. I'm getting closer!
  • Great news Nemo! Baby steps.

    On Sunday I did my longest run (35') since early December. No pain at all. I still get occassional tightness in the hip flexors (DOMS like you get Nemo) but none of the pain that was associated with the stress fracture. These easy runs have also given me the opportunity to be really focused on my mechanics which is feeling and looking better.

    I'm going to do a couple more 35' easy runs this week and also add some strides to a 30' run on Wednesday to test things out. Assuming all goes well with that I need to figure out when to start adding some intensity and when to move into the OS run workouts. I feel like I'm ready but I don't want to jump the gun. I'll probably post on the Advice from the Coaches thread about how to jump into the run OS workouts.

    Hope everyone else is doing well.
  • Jim- I'm so happy to hear we may be graduating another member! Let us know what the Coaches suggest on hopping back into the OS too.
  • Great news Nemo and Jim! Happy to hear of your progression.

    I am happy to report to good run/ walks on Friday and Sunday. My progression is even slower. 30 sec on and off started with 8 sets frid, then 10 sets yesterday. It was good, just weird. yesterday, I was a block from home, walking, decided to try one more short run. I did a half block, felt a weird pull twinge, immediated stopped. It was nothing, no pain or discomfort, no swelling.  The res of this week I will build to 12 x30/30. Then sat, start with 1 min run, 30 sec walk. I supplement with fast walking, elliptical or pool run. yesterday, was really thinking about foot landing at center of gravity , and making sure I got good hip extension, and toe push off. Feels better when I focus on that too. So it seems it was those stoopid orthotics i got a year ago jan that was casuing my knee troubles. Hopefully I can build back up my biking with patella working ok

    becky and Michele, howare you guys, anyone else?

  • Sounds like great news, Nemo, Jim, and Tracy!

    I, too, am doing pretty well. Longest run is 5.6 miles and felt great, although some shorter ones didn't feel as good...so definitely not 100%, but much better. Spent >2 hrs in the saddle yesterday, after a 3.5 mile run. The back/leg were very mildly irritated near the end of the ride (not pain or numbess, just a little tight/pressure), but it subsided immediately once I got off the bike. Definitely progress. image

    Becky? Tomer? Matt? Kit? How are you all doing?
  • Wow - awesome to hear the great news from everyone! 

    Sorry I was MIA last week - with so many late arrivals/early departures for PT and bi-weekly doc appts, I run around like a madwoman at work (I try to hop online during my lunch break)... them usually workout in the evenings and am too pooped to log in.

    So far so good with me.  The PT is killing me but I do think it's improved  - still having some scar tissue issues (apparently the tendon has attached to the scar tissue so I'm working to get it loose to help circulation - all the while doing all sorts of finger bends to lengthen the tendon which has shortened being in a straight out position in the brace for so long).  I still can't hold my bike (make a fist) so I'm on the fence about scratching my first race - deadline to get $$ back is a week.

    But, on the upside, I've been getting in the pool once a week with my fingers taped and swimming/kicking 250s for 1500 total and that's been good for my head.  The hand definitely hurts by the time thr 250 swim is done, but I'm hoping I can ramp it up soon and fade out with the kicking... baby steps like your running.  Another reason why my first tri in May is a big questionmark... but I am determined to make it to Eagleman (and race with Nemo... )

    Speaking of running, Like Jim, I did my longest run since my hand injury this weekend (8.6) - and second longest run since my bike crash in September!  I did a loop with a friend - the 1 hour planned workout then finished up just going with the flow depending on how I felt.  I was definitely tired (particularly after the hard ride Saturday) but I was elated to have done it.  I've got a half marathon coming up and while I know it won't be a PR or even close, I feel much better that I'll be able to finish.

    This week should be test week for my bike (I'm on week 8 bike and week 5 run) but I don't have a power meter... regardless, not looking forward to 2x20s! 

    Keep on the healing path! 

  • WOW what a great thread!!! I am sorry to say that I might be becoming a resident here for the next 6-8 weeks pending an appointment I have tomorrow. There is a 90% likely hood that I have a sport hernia and will require sugary. image I have been pushing through the workouts but the pain is getting more and more difficult to get through. I'll keep ya'all posted!!
  • Oh Josh, I love ya man, but I hope you do NOT have to join us here! Good luck with that appointment and keep us posted!
  • fingers crossed, Josh.  I hope you don't have to join us on the IR!  But if you do, there's lots of love and good mojo for you here!

  • Noodle - Keep us posted on what the docs say. I was convinced I had a sports hernia based on the symptoms I found in my research. Turns out that the MRI showed otherwise (pelvic stress reaction and adductor inflammtion). Have you had xrays or MRIs? If you have and they didn't show any bone issues I know one of the two thought leaders in sports hernia is in Milwaukee - a bit of a drive for you but I hear the guy is excellent. Leave no stone unturned before getting cut!
  • I was able to run intervals without pain before I left for vacation 3 weeks ago. 8-11 hours of hiking in Patagonia = no knee pain! But triathon isn't walking in heavy  boots and pack on rocks for that long...

    Just getting back to training...no musculoskeletal pain, just trying to regain some lost fitness.

     

    Noodle: Sports hernia?! As in a weakness in your lateral abdominal wall (diagnosed with an MRI) or an inguinal hernia? Are you having the operation done open or laparoscopically? Sorry to hear about this...

     

    Sending healing vibes and positive thoughts to all of you!

  • Hay Jim, our stories are exactly the same. My wall hit me last week when I was during a run. I had had it. I have had pain ever since the day after IMWI 09. I saw a sports guy yesterday, did x-rays and am doing the MRI this afternoon in Maple Grove. The Dr. is 90% certain that it is a sports hernia, but wants to make sure that is not a pelvic stress reaction and adductor inflammtion, or something else. As far as the sugary goes, IDK. I have the name of the guy that works on the MN Wild and Vikings. Either way, looks like I'll be taking some MAJOR time off. :< Ill let you all know more as I know.

    Love ya guys!!
  • Kitima - so far, so good! Just a nice gradual return, and hopefully all will continue to go well. Keep up the patience and discipline to not over-do it.

    Josh - sounds like you're doing the right things to get an accurate dx. regardless of the MRI results I think you're in good hands from a medical standpoing, as well as a support group standpoint! Keep us posted. Sending positive vibes...
  • No news yet. I called the office and told me I should expect a call tomorrow morning. But I got to say, OMG does my hip hurt after the MRI. They gave me an injection and it felt like my entire leg was being cut off. Today, my hip flexers are about as hard as rocks. I can't wait to get the call tomorrow. Patience is something the I don't have much of, so if you have any extra, send it to me.
  • Oh Josh how frustrating!!! I'm pretty low on patience myself, but I'm sending whatever I can spare! Hope that hip feels better soon.
  • Hang in there Josh!  I'm fairly low on patience myself - being on IR since September... but I'm sending healing thoughts your way.  I hate to hear you're in pain.  Try to keep your head in a good place!

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