Although sports and athletics have always been a part of my life, I’ve never really sustained any major injuries up to this point. Sure, there were the occasional bumps and bruises, and I have so many scrapes and scars on my knees that I’m sometimes embarrassed to wear shorts in public, but up to this day, casts, rods, pins and slings were never before required as part of my healing process.
This all changed yesterday, when I went snowboarding with my brother and cousin yesterday afternoon. Maybe it was just the weekend, or maybe it was the first nice day after a week of bitter cold and wind. Whatever the reason, the mountain that we went to was particularly crowded.
I’ve bruised my right shoulder pretty bad a couple of years ago from snowboarding, so my first assessment of my injury was that it was just a muscle sprain or strain that would just need time to heal. Since I was still able to move my arm in all directions though it was painful, I thought my shoulder couldn’t have been that badly hurt. Late yesterday night however, as I was walking along the street, I thought I felt some crepitus, or bone pieces moving around in my left shoulder. It was a weird sensation, not something I’d ever experienced before. But the doctor in me knew something was definitely wrong. So this morning, after a restless and sleepless night, I checked myself in to the local ER, and got myself an x-ray. Just as I suspected, I had a left mid-clavicular fracture, or a broken collarbone in layman’s terms. The doctor fit me with a sling, gave me a prescription for pain meds, and told me to follow up in the orthopedic clinic this week.
I’m exasperated and depressed…not so much for sustaining my first fracture ever, but for the havoc it’s going to cause to my training. Obviously, I won’t be running for a while, probably for 3-4 weeks. That means when I am healed, I’ll have to start short and slow and build back up again. What a bummer! I was so looking forward to using the speed and endurance I had build up from last year to catapult me to a strong spring marathon. Now, it looks like everything will have to wait. It sucks.
8 comments:
Ouch! I feel your pain. I broke my collar bone several years ago. Definitely not a fun experience. I can also understand your frustrations with training. I'm having some issues with my hamstring and ankle right now. Fortunately nothing as serious as a broken bone, but still enough to back off for a little while. Best of luck with your healing. Hope to still see you in Boston!
Oh no, that is frustrating! I hope that you'll be healed soon and training will still go as well as you want it to despite the delay.
I'm right there with you brother. Although I don't have near the "no $h!t... there I was..." story that you do. Running actually CAUSED my break. And, YES!! ...it really sucks... Heal quick!
Oh dear, I am so sorry. I know the frustration very well of putting in the work and then being forced to back off. I had to give up the marathon dream when my feet just exploded after a 14 miler and I couldn't walk for a day. At least it is coming at a slightly down time in the schedule. Your mileage will carry you. I think you only lose a couple percent of fitness per week. Maybe you can sit on a stationary bike or something?
Hang in there. You'll be running in no time.
That really sucks. I'm sorry to hear about your injury. I wish you a speedy recovery.
oh man that sucks. broken bones are just not fun. I wish you a quick recovery. I have no doubt you'll be your speedy self just in time for Boston.
If you can do it without pain start walking while you heal it seems like it is not helping much but when you start running again the comeback will go much smoother.
Hang in there
oh! sorry to hear this! hope your recovery is a quick one!
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