Houston, we have a problem… August 20, 2008
I’ve been trying to stay really positive and almost ignore this leg problem I’ve had since the quabbin ride, figuring that with some rest and rehab it would resolve itself. But despite trips to PT and massage and babying it for 3 days now, it still ain’t happy.
I feel like that old song…”the hip bone’s connected to the thigh bone..the thigh bone’s connected to the knee bone…” etc. Except mine is, “the gastroch’s connected to the hamstring…the hamstring’s connected to the glutes…the glutes are connected to the IT, the IT’s connected to the knee…”
I did my run that I was supposed to do yesterday today but shortened it. A very easy run…and my leg was ok during it, but it was that uneasy ok where you know that it isn’t going to last. And now, post stretching, my leg and hip is back on fire. And biking just sucks from the get go. At least swimming is good…
But I’m still not panicking and here’s why. This is just pain. As long as I don’t try to sprint or bike up any steep hills, I’m not going to tear anything. So the leg will work. So that makes this different from my post tib tendenosis and dislocation that I had…that can end my race because if the tendon goes there’s no walking let alone running. But so far, it’s hanging in there, and this leg/hip issue is just a literal and extreme pain in the ass.
It won’t be pretty but I can grind my way to the finish in less than 17 hours, even if I’m reduced to a veritable crawl. So at least I came out of training and my race isn’t in jeopardy, just my time. I still see the PT again this week and hopefully if I take it easy this WILL get better. My only fear is that I will start losing fitness by tapering too much too fast…
a
Hey April,
There is great wisdom in listening to your body and knowing when to back off - completely. As hard as that might sound - the quicker you can do it, the quicker your body can start healing. I could have recovered from a torn hamstring a couple months sooner if I just would have stayed off my bike, as hard as that was. Your body is trying to tell you something - just like mine was - and those signals can’t be ignored. And although it might feel like the end of the world to lose some fitness - it’s only temporary. You’ve set the ground work to make an incredible come back and need to get the most out of the process. Let your body heal. Use that energy by focusing on the mental aspect. It is truly rewarding - and something you can control. That way your comeback will far exceeded your expectations.
Good luck!
Jen