Sidelined with Injury

Throughout my time of having this blog—3 years next month(!)—I have tried to remain with a positive mindset. But sometimes, even the optimistic folks have bad days & need a vent session.

I’ve considered not blogging about the recent events that have derailed my training. But, the more I thought about it, I wanted to have something to reflect upon when all of this shakes out… because it will, in due time. I am confident of that. Plus, just maybe, I could offer some relatable material to someone who is also suffering through the same sort of crap as me. I know worst stuff happens everyday; but this is me raw, & it’s how I feel right now. So embrace the negative whine, or close your browser.

I blog about the fantastic races, so I must also blog about the real life sh$t that has basically halted my training. And despite how this comes across, I am VERY grateful things aren’t worse than they are; I know that I am very LUCKY—all things considered. I’ll try to keep the dramatics to a minimum {my sister thinks I am drama queen, ha!}.

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On New Year’s Eve, I enjoyed the day sightseeing Bermuda with my incredible husband, Scott. Following a great run that morning, along the coast of that beautiful island, I had popped into our hotel room & declared that we should rent mopeds that day {we had originally planned to rent them the following day}. As is with most vacations, I scope out sights on foot, during a morning run; then as a couple we venture out to those locations, & beyond, to see the sights later that day. Hubby, the smart man that he is, happily obliged to my moped request. Following breakfast, we walked over to the moped rental office, located on our resorts’ property. Mrs. “T” & her awesome staff sized us to appropriate scooters & taught us how to ride them {both of our first times riding such vehicles}. Not to mention, my first time driving on the LEFT side of the road! After our “test ride” around the property, we were good to go.

Our goal destination that day was the Royal Navy Dockyard, close to 13 miles away, where we could eat lunch & do some shopping. This is basically driving the coastline for more than half of the island’s entire length—on moped, taking probably close to 45 minutes. Of course it took much longer, with stops for photo ops & climbing the rocks in Horseshoe Bay. Plus, getting lost in a graveyard while looking for a glass beach. It was such a blast & memories I will always hold dear with my better half! Around 3pm, we began the adventure back to our resort, so that we could shower & get ready for the last night of 2016. I should mention at this point, since so many have jokingly asked—there was no alcohol consumed while riding the mopeds, ha!

With less than a mile or two to go, we missed our turn, so we pulled into a hotel to make a U-Turn. We stopped, verified the map, & then I ventured across the road first, turning right. It remains unclear of exactly why or what happened at this point—but I assume that I took the turn too wide, while I believe also accelerating as I freaked out—basically crashing into the wall with the entire left side of my body. The moped went flying & I hit the ground. Luckily, the approaching cars stopped & no other people were involved. Obviously, I was stunned & in shock. I tried to stand, was actually successful for a second, but then had to return to the ground. I immediately could feel that my pants were ripped along my hamstring, with blood coming from it & my right knee was throbbing. The people of Bermuda could not have been more kind, or more helpful during the incident! I’m very thankful for those Good Samaritans.

Over the course of the next 24 hours, many bruises developed, mostly along my left leg; as well as a few open abrasions. Strangely enough, those felt “just fine”… all things considered. What gave me trouble during the initial period of time after the crash were my right knee & an area of ribs along the left side of my back. I took it easy, icing when I could & elevating as much as possible. NSAIDs became my friend, to help with the inflammation. Our NYE celebration became card games on the resort bed with chocolate truffles & bubbly drinks—we did venture the 100 ft. to watch the midnight fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean!

Our trip continued on, trying to make the best of it. I even rode that mean ‘ole scooter the next day—pretty much deciding that as a Mother, I would have told my children to try again, when they failed at something. I am no quitter. Getting home, the debacle that it was {too involved to comment upon here}, felt AMAZING—both to get kisses from my favorite twins & sleep in my own bed.

By about 72 hours, I felt well enough to attempt a run. Optimism was sneaking in & I was feeling more confident that Shamrock might happen after all. A friend of mine, rehabbing a sore foot/calf, suggested her run/walk intervals as the perfect idea for my first run back. It was painful, but bearable. This was last Tuesday, for 4 miles total. On Thursday morning, things were looking more & more up, so I did 5.5 miles; following by a mostly upper body personal training session. I even got a massage that day. Still feeling good, I was elated. I had decided that I would be grateful for any miles in the 2 weeks post-crash. The next day, Friday, with the impending blizzard predicted for Saturday, I felt well enough for a semi-long run. I ran 6 miles with that same friend, doing the run/walk intervals; followed by 4.5 more miles solo. Following the run, I felt great—showered & went about my day.

Friday evening, the discomfort set in & hasn’t left since. Neither have the negative & discouraged feelings that I am having about my big & lofty Shamrock goal. I have less than 70 days. I am a realist & I’m pretty sure my goal of a 3:30 Boston Qualifying Marathon in March, is shot. My right knee is the lingering issue. While the remaining bruises & abrasions are ugly, my knee is now in constant discomfort. I can tell when the Ibuprofen has worn off. I see the mild swelling down to my calf {that is the strange part—there is only minimal knee swelling}. I feel the pain with just normal, everyday walking steps. I can’t get on my knees & play with the boys on the floor. I can’t sit “cris-cross-applesauce”. Standing too long aches. My normal flexible leg range of motion is gone.

So now, I venture along this unknown path. The girl whose friends poke jest at the fact that she can run an endless number of miles, unaffected by ailment, is now faced with a new & scary predicament. I am frustrated. I am pissed. This would be easier to accept, had this injury been from running itself. But instead, it’s from a silly moped accident. I don’t know what I can do to maintain the endurance I have established. I ran through the entire hot & ungodly humid VA summer, maintaining mileage, to have an awesome Spring race season; all for this to happen. I have made plans, both personally & professionally, that revolve around this race. I know I will “survive”, I’m not that silly. It’s just a devastating turn of events, for a training cycle that was going so effing well. I sure hope my sister is correct & that all of this is just Rhonda dramatics! To my non-running friends, none of this may make sense. And that’s okay. I may sound whiny & like a crazed runner. That part may just be true. But, I don’t just run for big BQ race days; I run for the daily satisfaction & mental benefits. This is my hobby. I’d be lying if I said the physical & physique benefits weren’t at the forefront of my mind too. I run, because simply put, I am a runner. A broken one right now, but I am still a runner. I feel like I am going through the 5 Stages of Grief. I think I have downplayed my emotions & pain to my friends/family, but here, for the entire world to read, I am super duper worried & sad. I hope & pray this isn’t bad for very long; but my instincts & gut tells me otherwise.

I would be shocked if things turn around for my Shamrock. For now, with it hurting to simply walk, there will be no more running. Time to get to the doctor & get this, whatever it is, diagnosed &/or treated. I hope a few PT sessions are the fix; again, this is uncharted territory for me. I am completely open to suggestions & thoughts—so please share if you have had a similar experience!

So there you have it. After about 7 years of running, my first real injury to sideline me from the sport I adore isn’t a “running injury” at all. Total bummer. I won’t stop though. Don’t you worry—there will be plenty more of my lengthy running blogs to come {sorry, HA!}. This little speed bump will in the long run {pun intended!} propel me even further to my goals. I am in this running thing for the long haul!!

Thanks for reading & please send some healing vibes my way! My knee thanks you in advance.