Monday, January 9, 2012

Adapting to the Unexpected..

Remember when I said I was going to take down 2012 with force? Turns out 2012 decided to bitch-slap me on January 1, 2012. Super. 


It actually started on December 30th, when I happily headed out the door for an easy run. I pulled up 20 minutes in with incredible leg pain. I hopped around, screeching profanities, and then tried to jog again in hopes it was a freak thing. No dice. I hobbled back home and took a rest day on December 31st. I hit the Ice, Ibuprofen and compression hard.  Before I headed out for my 11 miler on January 1st, I popped a couple Ibuprofen and said some Hail Mary's. In hindsight, I should have said a couple Tim Tebow's instead - he seems to have serious pull w/ the Big Guy. 


I could feel my leg being "off" within the first 5 steps out the door. Hoping it was shin splints I could beat into submission as the run progressed, I trudged on. Again, at about 20 minutes, I couldn't take the pain anymore. There was pain, tingling, and I couldn't really feel my right foot. Awesome. I threw in the towel, shed some tears, and hobbled home. It was that kind of pain that I knew wasn't going to lessen, so I needed to suck up my pride and bail on the run. 


My first order of action was making a PT appointment. My training is going so damn well, that nothing short of having to get my leg amputated is going to stop me. I have Eugene Marathon written in black on my planner, and it's going to take something huge to cross that off.

Insert Chronic Compartment Syndrome. If you know what it is, you just cringed reading that. If you don't, this is what Wikipedia says:

"When compartment syndrome is caused by repetitive use of the muscles, as in a cyclist, it is known as chronic compartment syndrome (CCS).[7][8] This is usually not an emergency, but the loss of circulation can cause temporary or permanent damage to nearby nerves and muscles. One cause of compartment syndrome is through exercise called Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome. According to Touliopolous, CECC of the leg is a condition caused by exercise which results in increase tissue pressure within a limited fibro - osseous compartment - muscle size may increase by up to 20% during exercise (Touliopolous, 1999) When this happens pressure builds up in the tissues and muscles causing tissue ischemia (Touliopolous, 1999). The cause of compartment syndrome is due to excess pressure on the muscle compartments."

Which essentially means when I run, it feels like my lower leg is going to burst open, and the contents are going to spill all over the road. Sexy, I know. I have been on Ibuprofen round the clock, as well as 24/7 compression sleeves and ice to beat back the swelling. I also spent last week beating the snot out of myself on the bike and elliptical, because I refuse to let this bring me down.

I took to the 'mill this morning for a test run, and a week of non-impact and ice/drugs/compression seems to have helped immensely. Although my baseline is wonky due to the pain relievers, I didn't feel any "pain" this morning on my 45 minute run. I view this as progress.

I am not going to let this bring me down. I've had moments of complete panic, and have resolved to just take up competitive knitting instead of running. However, for the most part I've realized that I have the choice to view the obstacles as a chance to build my mental toughness, or just completely throw up my hands and give up. And if you know me at all, the second option isn't viable. I will take this day by day, and listen to my leg. Should this end up screwing up my spring racing plans, than I will adapt and come up with a new plan. I will do whatever I can do get myself in the best shape of my life, whatever that landscape might look like. And at this moment, I'm still planning on kicking ass in Eugene.

Also, my sister's bachelorette party this past weekend. I partied like a rockstar, with my kinesio-tape and compression sleeves. We had an awesome time, and I can't believe she'll be someone's wife by the end of this coming weekend!!!



Yep, she even rocked the sash!


Happy Training!


15 comments:

  1. Aw friend! Sending you TONS of hugs right now! You have the EXACT right mentality though - even if the landscape changes, you'll still rock whatever challenge you take, Eugene Marathon, or something else entirely, who knows. Either way, with that mentality and focus of yours? You can do ANYTHING. Hang tough my friend. PS. Love the pic, you look so perty ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Meaghan,
    That totally sucks but it sounds like you will pull through just fine. I had some grandiose ideas about how stellar my marathon training would be and just as I start I get a nasty hip flexor strain which doesn't seem to want to give up. So far 3 weeeks of this glorious NE winter weather we've been having I have been at the gym on the ARC trainer instead of pounding the pavement. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger right? Thanks for this post I needed it today. Get better soon!

    PS very cute pic!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh girl, that is so so tough...I am so sorry you are dealing with this!! But you have the right attitude of course, and you are doing what you need to, to heal, but also test out the leg, as well, without pushing it. SMARTly working.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey--So sorry about this. I know somebody who just had the surgery for this. It's quick and easy and he just did his first run again after only 2 weeks. Something to consider...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ouch! Glad it is turning around. Hey, competitive knitting doesn't sound too bad. I love that I know how to knit a sock!! Now can I do it faster and more efficiently ... ??

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh boy!! I hate when injury gets the way!! As much as you hate to hear it, you gotta rest! It seems like you are doing all of the right things so hang in there. I have a marathon coming up in a few weeks so I am being as cautious as ever. Take care and I hope you are back to normal soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. You are doing great with this. I can tell it's torturing you (and not just the pain), but your sense of humor is going to carry you all the way across that finish line in Eugene.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That sounds serious! I hope it gets better soon and isn't something that comes back easily. Do you know what caused it? I admire yo keeping up the fitness on the bike!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I read this the other day but couldn't comment but wanted to tell you how sad it made me. I am hoping that all the rest you are giving it is helping and you are going good as new very soon. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh no!! Take some time to get this taken care of and you'll be back in the game in no time.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh no lady! I was wondering why I hadn't heard from you in a while. What did the PT say is the plan of action? We can beat this thing! Sounds like so far so good, how can I help? Does it involve a bitch session with wine - because i am in

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ugh... what a way to start the year. But, sounds like you are treating it and have a great attitude! ((HUGS)) to you!

    You and your sister are too cute! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. meaghan! hope you are hanging in there....i keep checking back here for updates and get a bit worried with no news! keep your chin up :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. oh my goodness Meaghan! (I am behind on my blog reading so just now getting to this...) I hope you are doing better or at least finding some options for healing. Hang in there - good thoughts for you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ugh ouch! I'm the first to preach rest and allowing your body to heal and the last to actually follow that advice. I always want to get back out there.

    Hope you're hanging in there.

    ReplyDelete