What is the worst injury you’ve ever sustained?
2007: ITBS. This happened 2 weeks post Chicago Marathon (my first). Extreme heat threw a real kink in the day and I was out for revenge. I ramped up mileage again with plans to run RnR Las Vegas 6 weeks later. In retrospect there were warning twinges at the outside of my left knee for weeks. It wasn’t until I felt like I’d been shot and had to call for a ride home that I finally listened.
2010: Pre-Boston Posterior Tibialis Strain. I have running way too far in brand new shoes to thank for this one. 6 weeks of pool running, extensive treatment from Dr. Miracle and some racing tape had me up and running Boston pain free.
2011: Mystery Hip Pain. This started when I was running on uneven grass/gravel. I stepped ‘wrong’ causing grinding hip pain. The grinding comes and goes to this day. A brief walk usually ends it and the pain vanishes entirely once I get fully warmed up.
2011: Partially Ruptured Hamstring. Finally not a running injury! I did this at a yoga class.
Of my menagerie of injuries, which takes the crown as the “worst”? I’ll go with the hip pain. Mainly because it prevented me from running 2 fall marathons (Twin Cities and Philly) last year. Ouch. Also because it was never officially diagnosed. The ruptured hammy came hot on its heels and stole the limelight so to speak.
What did I learn?
- Don’t ignore the warning signs. Like a sunburn, we often don’t heed the warning signs until it’s too late. One’s drive to finish the workout frequently trumps stopping to assess pain.
- Don’t run too far in new shoes. Don’t ramp up your mileage too quickly.
- Seek medical attention early and often. I totally get that the $$$ and wading through insurance/lack thereof is a royal PIA. But the sooner you get on the path to recovery the better. There’s plenty of bad doctors/physical therapists out there. Don’t settle. Find the good ones.
- There’s SO MUCH to be said for cross training, strength training and corework. Don’t neglect them.
- As much as injuries suck, there is a silver lining. Injury teaches patience and makes you appreciate your sport and abilities that much more. You learn things about yourself. Like how resilient you are. Are you wallowing in pity? Did you find a way around it? The key is focusing on what you CAN do.
Have you been injured? How did you deal with it?
Totally agree with you! Injuries are the pits.
I am in week 11 of 12 weeks of physical therapy for a hip injury that I tried to pass off as just an annoying pain. Turns out I have several tears in my labrum and a cyst on my femur. It’s been rough some days but through injury I have learned to be more aware of my body. Thankfully with PT I have been able to maintain running. I can’t repeat what you said enough.. cross train and don’t neglect the core.
I’m currently injured and hoping that catching it early will mean a quicker recovery. With a marathon in 7 weeks, I sure hope so!
Amen!
I ignored warning signs for weeks. You’d think limping off of the treadmill after every run would have stopped me… oops. But you’re right- there is a silver lining. I learned my lesson and am much nicer to my body than I was when I thought I was superwoman.
I seem to be a poster child for injuries and illnesses these days. The worst ones are the ones that “heal” but you never get to be the same. An example is I was hit by a car while riding a bike and broke some ribs. To this day, my ribs click randomly. No pain but a frequent reminder.
Most impactful was a back issue. Even after surgery years ago, it still reminds me from time to time.
I see so many doctors now it seems like we are socializing.
Chondromalacia Patella. A small tear in my hamstring led to Piriformis pain, which led to Piriformis syndrome, which led to incredible plantar fasciitis pain. All leg muscles on the left side, including my IT band, got really tight, pulling and tugging my patella, until I couldn’t even walk! Solution: lots of PT, stretching and Cold Light Laser Therapy, which is the absolute best for pain and recovery! Acceptance and Patience is key.
Sooooo happy you’re running healthy and strong right now – you so deserve it!!
Wow!!!! I’m so sorry for all of your injuries! That must be just awful!!! I’ve never injured myself like that but I am only a small recreational runner! Thanks for sharing all of the info! SPALove!
Dang, that’s a lot of injuries…you poor thing! It looks like you definitely learned from previous mistakes though. Great tips…especially since many of the runners/triathletes I know (including me) are stubborn when it comes to backing off, even if there may be a warning sign, lol.
People are always saying to me how runners are always injured. They neglect to realize – injuries happen a lot in all sports! I think the #1 thing we all need to do is realize what is good pain versus what is bad pain.
I was never injured until I tried training for my first marathon, about 5 years ago and had “runner’s knee” and skipped the full. A year ago I had an almost-stress fracture in my shin right after completing my marathon, so I am now very cautious with that distance! But like you, I’m learned a lot along the way about listening to my body, including cross training and increasing mileage demands gradually.
I love this post so much! I just got injured and can relate. I have also run through injuries in the past just to sideline myself further. Lesson learned – if its not just sore for a few days, you are injured and get to the doctor. It is just very hard to scale back on the running, especially being so involved in the Healthy Living/Fitness world. You are constantly reminded of others doing well with running and you just want to be at the same healthy point!
I learned to love weight lifting because of a running injury (ITBS) that had me sidelined for a few months. It was really the best thing. My body was weak and prone to injury as a result!
definitely consistent PT work and not ignoring the pains…but it’s so easy to ignore them!
Such good tips. I am so afraid of being injured that my lazy butt will gladly take a rest day (or week) to prevent injuries.
I think ITBS must be the torment of every newer runner. Such a frustrating injury, and one of the few you just can’t run through. Ugh. These days, most of my injuries come from doing stupid things, like falling or racing too frequently. I know better and still do stupid things anyway 🙂
Great tips! Especially the one about not ignoring the warning signs… I’ve been guilty of that in the past and just made the healing take longer…
Really great tips that we can all learn from! Especially #5 😉
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I’ve had little flirtations with ITBS and a once-off hamstring strain. The strain I treated with rest but my physio dealt with the ITBS. And I’ve had a weird on-going hip thing for the last year BUT it doesn’t really affect my running too much and I can manage it quite well. It’d be nice, though, to be able to give it a name.
Amen, Marcia! From a stress fracture to a piriformis strain, I’ve seen my share of disappointment and injury, and your tips are spot on! 🙂
I’ve been very fortunate not to be injured and hopefully I never will be but I feel like I do a good job listening to my body and I’m not afraid to go ahead and go to the doctor to be sure everything is ok.
are your hips even??? double check b/c I had an “upslip” and it went undiagnosed for soooo long my groin is a constant battle. I think I’d run more if it wasn’t for that 😉 so just check to make sure 🙂
Good lessons!
Glad to see that you are better.
As for me — still on the IR list. My first inclination was denial, then margaritas. I have since moved on to visiting the doctors frequently. I also learned that I am “getting older and it takes longer to heal” — thanks doctor. ha ha
yes
dealing with it since June.
first I ignored it. then I ran a downhill half marathon. yep..I am VERY smart like that. Finally went to see a PT in Quebec and now seeing one here.
and I am being good and following orders and doing my exercises because I am going to Oregon in less than 2 weeks and it will be the highlight of my running life!
Fantastic post! My one injury was jumper’s knee – from getting on the stairclimber too long too quickly. I jumped straight into PT and only missed a run or two as a result!