Coping with injury blues

Hi folks

 It's a lovely sunny day, and instead of being out running in the woods with my club and friends, I'm sat at home feeling sorry for myself. In the course of a year I've had 3 months off with Plants Fascitis, a month off with a sore knee, and just as I was getting going again I'm now off again suffering from groin pain.

I've got an appointment with sports podiatrist on tuesday for gait assessment etc. Hope this is helpful because seen physio, sports massage and chiroprator so I'm running out of options.

There's an alchoholics annonymous, and a gamblers anonymous - how about an injured runner's annonymous??

Start up the IRA (oops!!!) I'm in....I'm supposed to be doing the GNR soon and my calves are causing me grief! I'm even considering a walk/run program to make sure I get round!

I'm sure a gait analysis will be helpful in spotting things which are affecting your running, rather than the massage etc which just fix the problems after they have occured. Let me know how you get on as I've never had one myself - good luck x

Cheers Bola - I certainly hope that gait analysis and corrective shoeing helps - i'm prepared to try anything now.

 I was supposed to be doing robin hood marathon next month, but I've written that off. I've only managed to string about 3 injury-free months together in the last 12, so any races are currently out of the question.

I hope you manage to get around the GNR - run/walk is better than nothing at all I guess (the reason I say 'I guess' is because that is what I would probably think if someone suggested that to me) ha ha

 Good luck

Hi Amy,

 Yeah, I've just spent and organised so much to do the GNR this year (had deferred from last year because of injury!!) so I really want to do it. Reluctantly tried the walk/run way today and managed a comfortable 2 hours. Looks like this could be the answer for me although I'm not too happy about it.

Can you defer your marathon entry? I've heard that race is really good so I assume it was hard to get into? 

All the best for your assessment tomorrow   

Amy

Just to say a chiro and podiatrist in taandem should get to the root of the problem (this has been discussed all over this sight).

I have orthotics and see a chiro on ongoing basis after pdoaitrist saw feet were out and causing problems all up the length of leg which resulted in groin strain.

Find a good podiatrist, get some custom orthotics (2 pairs if you can afford it) then work with a chiro to re-educate your bones etc. and unfortunately all of it takes time but results do come.

Good luck. 

I sympathise Amy - 3 months since I last ran because of PF as well.

Can i join too!

Had a fall last week and cut my leg open down to the bone just below the knee had to have operation to get all the dirt out and now feeling v sorry for myself it is just not repairing fast enough i still can't walk on it!!

Vicci

Vicci, of course you can join - welcome to the sidelines. I wish you luck with the leg. That sounds rotten

Oh Pavey - PF? You have my every sympathy. I got the dreaded PF following a studid dance floor exploit at a wedding reception. Running a notoriously hilly half marathon on a badly twistered ankle is not recommended. That little exploit cost me 4 months on the sidelines

Amy that sounds nasty.  I've no idea how I got my PF - damn thing!!  Good news though is I've just been told by the fizz that I can start running again (only for 10 mins but hey, it's a start!!).

Victoria that sounds really bad - how did you do it?

Bola Zudd wrote (see

I'm sure a gait analysis will be helpful in spotting things which are affecting your running, rather than the massage etc which just fix the problems after they have occured. Let me know how you get on as I've never had one myself - good luck x

Hi Bola - Had podiatry and gait assessment last night. I've been diagnosed with excess pronation on left foot. I'm going for the custom orthotics - a bit of a pricy option, but like most runners I'm prepared to try anything. I get my new feet in 10 days - but no running in the meantime.

A

OWWWW!!!  I sympathise - I remember years and years ago taking a dog for a walk while I was on my bike - damned dog saw a cat and I went over the handlebars.  Nothing worse than a dented chin and pride, but I remember how much it hurt!!

hi folks - well you all sound like you have or have had it bad! Amy - I am supposed to be doing the Robin Hood Half in 17 days. This would be my first one and I have been training really hard since April - hills and everything (and I mean BIG hills - I live on the north Cornish Coast - not very runner friendly).  I joined a running club and have been out at least 3 times a week. 3 weeks ago I did 8 FLAT miles (very proud). Then my back just PINGED and I took a week off as I could barely walk. Last week I thought I would take it easy and did 2 miles, 2 miles and just over 3 miles(all flat as I didn't want to push it). Then after my 3 miler, I started to notice a pain in my groin. It's Thursday now and I can barely put any pressure on it. I am booked in tomorrow to have it looked at but have been awake most of the night in pain. What I am most worried about is the fact that I have raised money for a charity. What happens? Do I pay £70 petrol just to walk it and raise the money or do I contact everyone who has sponsored me and explain that I will book another run due to injury. ? Gutted. This was for my cousin's little lad (9)who died - so really feeling  pressure here. Try and do somethign special and it's snatched from me. Sprry - feeling rather sorry for myself.

Please help me!!!! Karen

Aw....  really sorry to hear it Karen.

Starting with you, no, don't walk it, you'll do more harm than good and be out of action for much longer than if you do what you know you need to, and rest it.  Okay, there would be less impact than running it, but you'd be on your feet for much longer, so it's not going to do you any good.

As far as the money you've raised goes, when most people sponsor someone it's either to support the runner and give them a bit of motivation, or because they believe in the charity's cause, or both.  I'd suggest telling people what's happened, and offer to pay the money back if they want it.   If anyone takes you up on it, I'd eat my smelly running socks!  Hope whoever you're seeing today puts you on the road to recovery.

It's so much easier dishing out advice than taking it.  I've messed up my Achillies, not a serious thing but after ultrasound yesterday the fizz says no running until the weekend at the earliest.  I haven't been able to run all week, it's a gorgeous morning, I've got brand new sorbathane (SP?) insoles and I've got withdrawal symptoms that are worse than when I gave up smoking and wanted a fag NOW!!!!

Apparently the OH reckons that living with me while I can't run is actually worse than living with someone who's giving up smoking could possibly be

Hi Amy Ogden

Could you please let us know how you got on with you gait analysis ie price wise as I am thinking of it myself depending on the cost.

Roundone

Karen I had groin pain before and it was as a result of a lower back problem.oesteopath sorted it out.........not cheap but it was worth every penny..........I was surprised at the time that my lower back could affect my groin area so much........

good luck everyone................I had problems with my achillies last year and was out all winter..........couldn't run or cycle from september to the end of January............managed to do ironman in the july without any repercussions..........horrible to rest but sometimes its the best option............I was so enthusiastic when I did start training again

and karen ......just find another race to do in a few months and tell all the sponsers you have just changed the date because of injury........you will still then be able to raise the money for the charity and will give you a new motivation once fit

I left mine until I could'nt walk before sorting it out.....I went twice and I was as good as new.so about 5 days.......

that was 14 years ago.........after the first visit I wasn't totally convinced that it had helped but after the second brilliant......since then I go once a year to the oesteopath just for a checkup......unless I have a problem somewhere........the groin pain has never reoccurred thankfully.......

You have just made my day as I cannot think of anything worse than having this pain for much longer. So glad I posted on here. I am usually like you - I wait for things to heal on their own and take no pain killers etc but race day looming has made me get in quick.

Thanks again. I will let you know what happens tomorrow.