Tales of the injured

Where do I begin? While all of you have been out there running your 20 milers and putting in your winter volume, I have been sitting on the sideline and letting my body heal. Heal!?? What do you mean?? Everyone deserves an "off-season" but mine has been a little extended. 3 months thus far, and counting....

I havent really mentioned my injury to many people but I am now getting this out in the open. It has helped me learn ALOT. Alot about my body, alot about myself, and alot about that "other" person I am--The non-athlete.

So, towards the end of the season, I remember feeling alot of chest pain and figured "oh I just had a hard workout". I also noticed I wasnt really progressing, and was kind of plateaued. I made it to my last race of the season (First week in October) and was developing some rather painful lower back pain the week before. I Gave it a few days rest post-race and then went on about just some runs for my "off-season". Error #1: off season means OFF. Not, Ok lets focus on running now. You have to get a little unfit to get faster. Then I came to a screeching halt one day and could barely even finish my run because my back was throbbing. I knew something wasnt right. I took two weeks off, but was stilling doing light workouts. WHY is it so hard to STOP doing everything??!!

November 1. I Still wasnt ready to give running or swimming a try, so I figured a big bike volume would be okay. So Yes, Biking didnt really hurt me, but it also wasnt letting my body heal completely. At this point, I decided to start seeing a physical therapist. Thank YOU C.Fosters & Associates. These guys are GREAT and I would be back at ground zero without them. They started me on exercises to correct for my many weaknesses--Glute inactivity, core/trunk stabilization, shoulder mobilization. {These are also the many weaknesses that the usual triathlete will have} The one thing that made me different was that my back muscles had dysfunctioned. (Oh NO wonder why I couldnt make progression in my swimming at the end of the season)!. But this led to much BIGGER complications....Muscle Spasms. My whole Back seized and because of this is took along some Ribs with it. Laterally compressed ribs, subluxated ribs, and posterior rotated. I had it all. ANd it was Damn painful. Basically it feels like I have a knife in my side.

Thanksgiving gave near, and I finished my 3 week bike volume build. Biking didnt necessarily hurt me, but I came to a huge realization that it sure as hell wasnt helping my ribs heal. My ribs became inflammed while at home for break and everything hurt like hell.  It was this week that I decided to come to a full on complete stop. No swim, No bike, No run. Nothing. I went to bed crying almost every night, and drinking a bottle of wine to stop the pain. When I finally got back to PT after break, I got my relief from their manipulations.  They reminded me to keep doing my exercises and everything would be okay. The ribs are very sensitive and they can take anywhere from 3-6 months to heal.

Now its the end of December and I am starting to feel some normalcy. My ribs are still hypermobile, but my back has finally let up on its spasm. I felt a huge relief just this past week. Everytime I start to feel normal its so hard not to run out the door and give a run a try. But I have to remember to use patience and just let them keep healing. I cannot say I will be back at it in January even, but I can start to see the light. Thats all I can really focus on right now.

So I am sure you are wondering about how the heck I am dealing with this. Did I gain weight? Am I scared? What are you doing with your time?? How the hell did this even happen??
* Last one first, Like any athlete, Too much crappy exercise just adds up. Too many workouts using the wrong muscles and compensating. Overusing and abusing my muscles until they finally broke. Ribs issues are usually caused by trauma but 1% of cases can be caused by an extreme overuse. Aka ME.
*How do I deal: Well, I have enough physical therapy exercises to keep me busy for atleast 2 hours a day. I can do some yoga and walking to keep me sane. Yes, I said walking. I also go to PT 2x a week for manipulations and muscle therapy. I made a long list of things to work on and I have been trying to focus on them (ex: my website).
*My legs have never felt stronger because of the amount of squats and lunges they do. HA!
*I still give myself off days from my PT exercises. I dont know why its so easy to give myself an off day now, whereas when we are in training mode a missed run is the worst thing in the world.
*I am not rushing it. The first couple weeks were very hard to accept, but now I want nothing more than to be full ready to train again. Of course every once in a while I have hard days where I doubt the future, but for the most part I am positive.
*I actually think I will be stronger when I get back. I am correcting my strength imbalances right now. Thus, I will be utilizing all the correct muscles when I get back = free speed.
*Yep, its no doubt I will be hugely out of shape. But I guarantee I will love every suffering minute when I can swim bike and run pain free and without worry.
*I have already pulled out of my first couple races of the season and I am postponing any racing until I can finally say I will be 100% healthy again.
* I am young, this is not the end of the world.

*The question you are all waiting for. Yes, Of course I gained weight. But weight is a number and it does not define you as the person you are. So with this, I decided to focus on my nutrition. Low carbs, high protein. Healthy eating (except for occasions) and the weight began to drop off. I am now back to my "normal weight". NOT my race weight, but my weight I can sustain throughout the year. I also began to eat like a normal person. I had to remind myself that I did not need to eat like an athlete all the time. My mom was even shocked one day when she asked if I was going to get more, because I usually do, and I told her I was full! Sometimes its just good to reset the clock.

Finally, I reminded myself during this time period who I was. Before I became a Professional triathlete, I was Liz. The friend, The Daughter, The Meteorologist. I have lots of other things I love. I too had been captured by the triathlete frenzy. I was obsessed (which probably isnt a bad thing considering its my job, but still theres a crossing line)! Athlete was not the only thing that defined me. It has been nice to spend more time with my family and friends and it reminds me to hopefully remember when I get back to training that if I miss a workout its not the end of the world. My advice to you (this coming from a Pro triathlete): Dont be so obsessed with your workouts. Or even your life! Dont miss out on all the great things life has to offer. Make things count when they do and listen to your body.

I could probably ramble on forever about this, but I wont bore you!! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments!

2014: I see you. I can see the light right around the corner.
 Happy Holidays everyone, be THANKFUL for your health and the things that you get to do everyday!!