Run, Walk, Bag or Ride
Just got back from the Dr. He said that I have cartildge damage to the left knee that will take 6-12 months to heal. Sooooo NO RUNING until the knee stops hurting then a long slow build back up. I'm signed up for IMLP in July. That gives me ~ 5 months and I have been resting knee ie no running since Nov 13 (Total of 3 months) So options as I see them,in no paticular order, are
1. Bag Placid and try again next year. Contact RD explain situation and see if they will make an exception (I know with WTC not likely)
2. Go to Placid planning to walk the marathon. However, with my slow swim and bike I might not make it and that is not really the way I want to complete my first IM.
3. Continue to train for LP w/o run and hope that knee feels good enough and I have enough run fitness back to go for it.
4. Spend LP travel money on a road bike and make this season a bike season.
Thanks for any thoughts
Comments
Don't expect any kind of sypmathy or policy bending by the RD/WTC. Remember there's nothing remarkable or extraordinary about being injured. That's probably the reason the vast majority of people DNS a race. They'd be issuing hundreds of transfers or refunds if that was the case and they're not about to do any of that.
x 2 on Bob's suggestion. Meanwhile, persevere on the body comp goals.
BTW, does your doc fully understand your committment and dreams concerning Ironman and running? How definite is the diagnosis and prescription?
Al the diagnosis is a little iffy as MRI only shows minor changes and everyone keeps telling me I have anterior pain when the pain is posterior and medial. Knee does feel better after 3 months of no running and 6 weeks PT but is not right. I still feel as though the meniscus is torn but MRI was not definitive. I am seeing a Sports medicine DR next week instead of the orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion and will be seeing another sports med surgeon for another opinion as well.
Good advice here! Agree to get firm diagnosis and consider next year if not near 100%. Don't risk your future racing for this year. What is latest date for partial refund for LP? Can always wait as late as u can...but don't be afraid to bail!
Dewey,
If there is any chance of further damaging the knee then bag Placid. I know that this is a difficult thing as it was to be your first IM race but there will be others. You can make that decision fairly close to the race as mentioned I believe the date is in June sometime.
Having said that if you want to just finish you will need to do 14:53 miles for a 6 hour 30 minute marathon and if you come in around 10 hours (S/B) that leaves a 7 hour marathon or a 16:02 pace.
I'm not sure if there are any aqua birke races in your area but if you do opt out of Placid get something on the calendar to keep you motivated and continue the weight loss.
Gordon
I would also say that if you spend a year working on body comp you should be very well-positioned to have a completely different race next year than you would have this year.
Take the unspent money in the LP budget and do something else that will help you heal, improve your fitness or lose weight.
Cheers,
Matt
@ Annie how’s the winter treating you. I spent 3 frigid years in the Twin Cities. I like the volunteer idea. Might try to volunteer at Placid if not able to race. We have family in the area (Albany) and they are due a visit.
@ Bob thinks for the research on the last date to bag and get partial refund. I could not bring myself to look.
@ Gordon and Jeff great advice as usual. I was eyeing the Great Floridian in October for an aquabike (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike) in Clermont as well as a few other in the area over the summer.
@ Matt Thanks for the insight on the entry fee. It is hard from me to give it up but as you said it is gone so you are right the potential outcomes are all that matters at this point. All in all it may be a blessing in disguise as I can shift focus completely to weight loss and be ready to assault an IM next year.
While I agree with others about bagging LP if you clearly have knee issues, the optimist in me seems to think there's still a chance since it seems the knee diagnosis hasn't been nailed down. There's a chance you may find out what the real cause is and have time to get it in shape to make a go of it. May not be able to run the entire race, but still get the experience. Due to injuries last year, I wasn't able to really start running until about 2 months before IMCDA, and was able to pull it off, so don't give up hope. Get your diagnosis nailed down and then act accordingly....
Good news from Doc 2, but still BAG IT. IMLP ain't worth a permanent knee injury. Do #4 and give yourself the time to heal properly. Fish oil is great supplement...definitely put that in your nutrition plan here on out.