Oct 2, 2012

A Tough Decision...

So I went to see the orthopedic doctor and after chatting with him and an examination, he doesn't seem to think that anything is seriously wrong with me. He thinks I have a shin splint issue or possibly a very minor strain. Having said that, I have not yet decided whether or not I will run the Long Beach Half Marathon this coming Sunday. I have dealt with shin splints in the past and this small spot where the pain remains is not what I have experienced so I  have been playing it safe by spinning instead of running. I don't feel any kind of pain while spinning so it is a safe way to maintain my cardio for now and I like it because I sweat like crazy! I like spinning but I enjoy spinning much more when I am able to combine it with running as my method of cross training. 
The doctor suggested that I take a couple of weeks off to see if the pain goes away and if it doesn't then we will have to re-evaluate and take it from there. By the way, I have not ran in 10 days! I am dying to run really want to run Long Beach because I don't want to mess up the Beach Cities Challenge medal series but as of now I am 60% sure that Long Beach will be another DNS for me. Boo!! If I am feeling pain free on Saturday then I might be out there. I guess my last injury taught me a lesson on being patient because I am taking this a lot better than I did the first time around. This does not mean that I am not upset or feeling down about this but the positive side of me is telling me to keep my eye on the big goal which is my sub 4 marathon for my Dad in February. I know that I need to be strong for that race and if it means sitting this one out, I can handle it. I am sure my Dad is missing out on a lot more things in his life that he wishes he could do so what the heck am I complaining about?? I am lucky enough to have my health so that I am able to run!

No word yet on the home appraisal but I am thinking positive. If I get good news back on the appraisal then maybe sitting Long Beach out won't seem so bad after all. In the mean time, I will live vicariously through all of you who are racing this weekend and the weeks to come and wish you the very best. I know my time will come and I can't wait to live those moments!


GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO IS RACING THIS WEEKEND!

25 comments:

  1. I hope you get some good news so you can do Long Beach!!!

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    1. Thank you Vanessa! I am hoping that taking a couple of weeks off will do me some good.

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  2. Take it easy hon, you don't want to further hurt yourself! xoxo

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    1. I get it and I am trying to be smart about it. I don't want to be injured again :(

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  3. Rest up - injuries aren't worth it. So sorry!

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    1. I know Jen.I am sad but know that it may be for the best. Thank you for stopping by.

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  4. Just remind yourself if it comes down to it, that a DNS is better than injuring yourself worse and prolonging the injury. Although I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. These kinds of decisions are so hard! Hope your shin heals soon.

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    1. I totally agree with you Christy and thank you for telling me this. The opinions of others really make a difference to me because they knock some sense into me when I start thinking like an idiot!

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  5. Keeping my fingers crossed for you but Christy is right...you're better off not starting than hurting yourself worse! GET BETTER YOU STINKY SHIN!!!

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    1. Thank You Nancy! I agree with you and Christy 100%. I think it is going to be another DNS but I am a big girl and I can handle it! Take Care.

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  6. I know how you feel about "living vicariously", but I also know what you mean about being (a little) mellower about setbacks now that you've had the experience of getting past one. I'm the same way.

    You are thinking along the right lines! It's February that matters!

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    1. Yes Terzah the big goal is where I need to remain focused! I have told you the same so I guess I need to take my own advice and just deal with this issue. I will definitely be living vicariously through you in December when you get that BQ at CIM!!

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  7. Wicked hard decision- especially because you have to make it yourself with no known information.

    Hope you are feeling better soon, regardless, so you can get back out there.

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  8. Im sorry about your leg. What a bummer. Does it hurt while you run and then worse after? My leg seems to be getting better with PT (knock on wood), and I find doing a few miles really slowly for warm up (like 12:00 miles) helps warm my shin up and makes recovery a lot quicker. The huge indicator for me is the next morning. My X-rays were clean and my doc thought it could be tibial tendinitis and says no more than 3x a week, and lots of calf stretching to help the calf from pulling on the shin. I still have the painful spot to touch, but it is less painful. I'm blabbing, but I feel your pain and know it's stressful to have to sit out all the while not knowing how to help it

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    1. Sorry...pre-mature "enter.". Good luck with recovery!

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    2. I think we are dealing with the same kind of thing. They have recommended the same thing for me so we will see if it helps at all. My pain spots subsides but always returns with a run of any distance. The next morning is always key for me too and up until now it has not been good news the following day. Thank You for sharing your story. It helps to hear other peoples story and get some good advice and feedback.

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  9. oh I so sorry to read this.....but I do think it is best to not go back on the injury list like you were before...the Beach Cities Challenge will always be there. you can start with the next race and finish at LB 2013. I have to go read previous posts...are you moving?

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    1. I know. They just showed the new Beach Cities Challenge medal too and I really wanted them both. I am so greedy! I am not moving just trying to save some money.

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  10. Ughh I hate to read about fellow runners injuries. I shared my "secret" with Caroline when she was having pain, but I have this awesome lady in Rancho that has literally solved all my knee pain issues. I went through the whole gammet - my GP, a 2nd GP after I fired him for telling me to stop running, xrays, physical therapy, accupuncture, MRI - all with no diagnosis. I started seeing Dr. Jenn for trigger point therapy in mid-2011 and have run 9 halfs since - almost all of them with no pain. She has pretty much narrowed my issue down to other muscles being tight- my psoas - deep in the hip was the main factor but also tight hamstrings and recently an inflammed sciattica causing pain down my shin and into my toes. So it wasn't really my knees at all - but I did work on strenghtening exercises as directed by PT. She is amazing and for $25 a session - I've given up my regular massages in favor of her treatments. If you are interested in checking her out she is at Bellwood Wellness - connected to Bellwood Chiropractic at Haven and Arrow.

    I hope you find a solution soon.

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    1. Thank You Denise. As you know I am also in Rancho so maybe I will look into this. I am really frustrated but hopeful that this is not something serious that is going to linger around.

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  11. I really hope that you will be able to do Long Beach. Fingers crossed for you!

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    1. Thanks Suz! I am sure I can run it pain free but the problem is the pain that appears the following day. I am not sure if it is worth it or not :(

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  12. Sending lots of healing vibes your way!! Hope you are back out there running soon.

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    1. Thank You for the healing vibes. Rest definitely helps but I am dying to go for a run!

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