How to keep your fitness alive and work through a broken leg in 38 days.

Best view EVER!

Damn Guys, I am so freaking happy to be back on the run!!! I ran 40 minutes today at 7:45 pace.  I pray and hope this continues. You guys know I worked out 2-3 hours a day for the past 38 days while healing my fractured leg. I feel I deserve a little kick in my stride.

I've broken my legs several times. 1 could have arguably been a stress reaction though. Anyway, I've never felt so good this soon. I'm hopeful!

There are not enough blogs or info in cyberspace on grade 4 fibula fractures. So I wanted to point out some good things to the poor souls who have landed on this blog with the same injury.

*Start to finish 5-6 weeks off running. 38 days for me.

* You can cross train your ass off on the bike and stair mill.

*It hurts like a mother for the first 3 weeks. Suck it up and lie to yourself that you're ok. You'll soon believe it.

*Massage the hell out of the surrounding tissue to avoid Frankenleg when you return to running. If you don't, add 10 days+ for extra healing and go sit in the corner. If you're in the Triangle see my Massage Therapist for best results.

*Scar tissue is real. Fight it. See my Massage Therapist for this too.

*Try to avoid ibuprofen. I can't believe I said that.

*Try not to favor or compensate for the injured leg. Walk like normal. If you start favoring you're going to create more problems.

*I'm gonna say it, just my opinion. Don't wear the boot. I've worn the boot for half of my injuries and I can tell you that the havoc you wreak on your body isn't worth it. I had to spend 2 weeks relearning how to walk about a tibia fracture that was booted. For a fib, my vote is no boot. That's just my opinion. Don't hammer me in the comments : )

*Find a way to feed your crazy. Work on abs, arms, core, balance, diet. Anything. But try to keep your run schedule. I run at 6am 6-7 days a week. I was at the gym at the same time. You need normalcy. Keep your intensity alive. Don't lay on f'ing couch and whine like a little bitch. Get out there and do something. It's just a fibula you silly rabbit!

*You will get depressed on your long run day. It's unavoidable, but fuels your fire. Accept its suckage.

*Feel kind of badass that you broke a bone that is virtually unbreakable. 1/10. I bet you're in good shape!

*Count the days down. Plan your next run. You will get there!

Ok, so that's all I have to say on that. I wish I would have stumbled on this blog a month ago. It's not the end of the world. We will all live to race again!

You guys rock!!!

Laura

An overdue post! I am back and so very grateful!

a view on my 6am run.

Hey Guys!!!

I hope everyone is doing well! I haven't been reading or keeping up in the blogosphere out here. I hate not knowing how everyone is doing. I hope your running is going well. FINALLY, mine is!! I'm in blog catch up mode now.  I can't wait to read up on you! Thanks for being patient.

I'm about to start Boston 2014 training with some awesome base and major fire! Of course I have to share or what's the point?

I know as runners we're usually not content for long after crossing the finish line. There is that moment of joy and then we're on Active.com looking for another shot to kill another goal. I've had many months to ponder how I'm going to get to the next level of the marathon. For me, that's shaving some time off my 2:58:34 in Boston this year. Right now my goal is 2:55. However, secretly I want more : ). Shhhh!

As you know, I've always focused on adding to my training. Adding miles, workouts, weights, hills, nutrition etc. This is all very helpful but at the same time taxing on my body. During my last fury of this a few months ago I put myself into a tailspin. I was fighting tooth and nail to get out of an injury. Only to stagnate seemingly forever.

Enter, John Stiner.

I was contacted by John, a massage therapist in Durham, NC. Basically, he said I've read your blog.  I've seen your photos. I know what is wrong. I bet you have X,Y and Z and are sore here and there etc etc.

As a self proclaimed professional patient of running related injuries I blew him off. I thought I knew everything. I've had 3 stress fractures, and loads of soft tissue injuries. But what he said was right on. I was confused/intrigued.  A few weeks went by. I cry-blogged some more and cross trained my butt off.  John contacted again. He said he couldn't watch me go down the tubes any more. And that he could help. He said I would feel significantly better after one visit. I agreed. I was at the end of my rope. I expected a Massage Envy experience at best.

When I first saw John 3 months ago I could not run. I had ankle tendonitis. I could not walk without limping. I was a mess. My initial visit was several hours. The first half was spent doing strength tests and assessing every fiber of my being. He said and I quote, "you will not have tendonitis after today." I thought, oh great. I'm glad he's confident but I've been in physical therapy for months 2x a week for this ankle and nothing has improved.

The next day I ran. I ran without pain. I didn't limp. Is this guy for real? I have continued to run every day since that day without any tendon issues or pain. I'm leveling out my base training at 75-80 miles a week. Running like I'm a kid on the playground. I'm still blown away but have been reluctant to give him credit until now. I thought it would come back. I was just in disbelief. I spent so much money and time trying to get my ankle right and he comes in with one visit and BOOM?! Yes.

So now, I feel it's in my best interest as a semi competitive marathoner to take care of my body with more of a preventative approach. I have seen John every other week since. He can always tell what is off before I say anything. Whether it's sore calves, a tight back I know that it will be gone when I leave. In fact, I usually trash my legs the morning before an appointment so he can facilitate my recovery.

As a former 2:3x marathoner, John understands runners. He knows what we go through. But it's his almost photographic knowledge of everything running related that is impressive. He is more in tune with the human body than most doctors I have met. And that is an understatement. He has decades of massage experience. He's worked on Kara Goucher and Galen Rupp. He's been published in Running Times. He definitely has some major bling to his CV.

The bottom line is that he is exceptionally skilled and cares. I feel lucky and blessed to have John on my side for my next shot at Boston!!! I can't wait to ROLL!!!!