Trying to 'get back in the game'

[Buffy Beffy]

At the begining of the summer, I formed a stress fracture in my foot. This is my first week back in training for my running. Cross Country season starts at the end of August and I just don't see how I can be ready in that short amount of time. Starting out with too much too fast has gotten me into alot of trouble in the past. It's the easiest way to get injured in my opinion. Does anyone have any suggestions of what I should do to be able to keep up with the team when season begins?

 

[MissChris]

I don't have any technical suggestions for you, but perhaps another poster will.

What I can say is that it's more important for you to take it easy and to let your injury fully heal than to keep up with the team. If you need to sacrifice a little performance for part, even all, of this season, then so be it. There will be other seasons, maybe even other sports, in which you will excel. Set yourself up for successful future performance hon, and don't worry about what the rest of the team is doing for now. It's totally okay if you're not ready by the end of August. You can and will whoop some ass, but you need a solid foundation first. The rest falls into place.

Best of luck.

 

[Buffy Beffy]

Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement.

 

[THEEGAME2544]

You've got to give it time to heal.....like you said, you don't want to make it worse or have a reoccuring injury. Your body will let you know how much you should do....just make sure you listen to it. Gradually work into coming back to 110%. But time is the best healing medicine. Just make sure you try to keep up cardiovascular wise, and endurance wise.....your foot will catch up in due time.

 

[WildTigerEyes7]

Unfortunately - stress fractures sometimes take longer to heal than a regular break! Especially if its in an area (like your foot) where it is going to be "stressed" often.

Depending on your age will depend on how it heals. I have two stress fractures at L4-5 in my lower back and they will never heal because I got them after I had already finished growing.

So now I have three options:

1) I can work through the pain and be miserable;

2) I can have surgery (fusion) which may or may not help; or

3) I can manage the pain with narcotics & pain management therapy.

Right now I opt for choice no. 3 and have to take Loricet on the days when I hurt and Xanax on the nights when I can't sleep b/c of the Loricet and pain combo. It's not fun but it beats undergoing an invasive surgery which would put me in bed for several months - and it not guaranteed to work. I have a friend who is now on her 4th surgery with an injury similar to mine and I don't want to be her later in life. So hopefully getting back into shape will be the best treatment for me....

Good luck with your season!

(Oh yes, I did have a stress fracture in one of my shins from pitching when I was in high school - and it eventually did heal but I was still growing at that time).