I wish this was an April Fool’s prank, but unfortunately this is no joke. My left hamstring is either inflammed or strained, and I’m officially on the DL. No running for at least another week (I haven’t run since Thursday, March 26th), maybe more depending on how I respond to rest & physical theraphy, which I now have twice a week. I am going to my sports medicine doctor tomorrow to beg for anti-inflammatories and an MRI to rule out a microtear.
It’s pretty painful. The muscle is hurt at the origin, at the point where it attaches to my glute; and the injury is deep enough that it’s even affecting my adductor in the groin area. The really disheartening part is that I’ve been here before–I had the exact same injury two years ago, so I know the treatment and I remember how long it took me to feel strong and 100% last time. At the office today I moved slowly, and was the weirdo standing up intermittently in all my meetings. It just hurts to be seated for longer than 15 minutes at a time.
Tonight was my first physical therapy session, and my therapist DN was much kinder with me today than when she evaluated me. Yesterday, she poked and prodded and rubbed to get the blood flowing around the affected area, which basically meant she was massaging my butt and inner thigh. It was uncomfortable–I don’t mean awkward, though given the affected area, it was that, too–and I limped out of there last night. Today, I was limping before I even got there, chastened by a thoughtless attempt to scamper across an intersection to make the light–the sharp pain of acceleration brought tears to my eyes. So, I felt lucky when all DN did was gently rub the bottom half of my hamstring and adductor muscle, to lessen the tug on the upper half. Then, I got 15 minutes of electric stim and ice, and finally she taped the back of my leg with that fancy tape the Olympic athletes used last summer.
I have no idea if I’ll be able to run London in 25 days. DN makes no promises, but her plan is to treat me to give me the best shot at enough recovery so I can “make my goal event.” Right now I am trying hard to not think that far ahead, and not think beyond the day I’m currently in. I’m pretty crushed simply by the way my body is no longer reliable, forget trying to get my head around the possibility of not running on April 26th. I just can’t go there.
Today, as I gimped my way back to my desk after the third meeting of the day, I thought of Deena Kastor. I always look to the elites while training, why not while inured? I remembered the way she had to drop out of the Olympic Marathon in August at the 5k mark because she’d broken her foot; I thought of the look of panic and naked disappointment on her face, all caught on camera so viewers around the world could see her crying at the side of the road; I thought of how she had months and months of recuperation, during most of which she couldn’t even run. I thought of how gracefully and courageously she handled her setback, and I was reminded that running isn’t just about speed and endurance, but it is also about mental toughness, and strength of character. (Visit her website and read her blog entries starting with August 23rd if you want to see these qualities in practice.)
2009 has been a pretty crappy year: I should have known what awaited me when I had to stay home sick & in bed on New Year’s Eve. It’s been three months of having the rug pulled out from under me, of self-doubt and abiding worry for those closest to me, of having to work triple-hard for the smallest results in all things. There have been happy moments with friends & family that shine through–I am not so self-absorbed as to ignore my blessings. But now that I have this injury, I can’t help but feel like it’s all some kind of test, and that my response to these challenges will determine what is to come next.
Pigtails Flying 
Sorry to hear about your injury. It is the worst feeling to train and have a setback, we all know it personally. Continue to be positive and get rest. It seems like you are in good hands, so I’d take whatever advice DN gives you to heart.
Hope you recover well and come back hungry.
TK, this truly sucks. But maybe it’s not all bad. For one thing, you trained seriously and properly, which is something you’ll do again in the future. Plus you raised a lot money to fight Parkinson’s along the way.
A month is a long time, especially when you’re under proper care. It’s not unthinkable that you could heal up in time for London.
I could say you’ll be fine but that’s BS and you’d know it. But I agree with Julie. It is not out of the question. On the one hand, you’re not to taper quite yet so it’s not a forced break that can be good and you’re missing a few final things you want to do. But if it comes around enough, you’ll be able to get back in the groove before race day. You’ll have lost some enhanced training and a little fitness, but you’ll have time for some final prep. It just might work. You mention Deena, think of Joanie in 1984 when she had surgery right before the OTs.
It’s happened to you before, so you know how it’ll work. Good PT goes a long way. As I noted before (and you commented on), PT can do wonders and you can come out stronger than you went in.
As Ron says, we’ve all been there. I had been working since January for NY 2008 when it came to a sudden stop. As you note, it’s all part of the big picture unique (or maybe not) to each of us. I don’t know if it’s a test. But it is a process.
oh t this blows hard. i’m sending lots and lots of super happy healing thoughts your way…and if you wanna grab a glass of wine i’m pretty sure it speeds the healing:) xoxo
Shitty. As I now have my new bike and am getting exercise for the first time ever- I will send you all accumulated karma points from now til race day.
I hope you make London.
Hang in there! While you probably won’t be 100% for the race, I think if you are careful, you’ll still be able to run, just not with the same intensity. Hopefully, after another week or so, you’ll be able to do ‘low intensity’ runs and then you’ll have 2 weeks to slowly work the hammy back to shape.
As stated already, we’ve all been there. For me it is always my lower back that bites me. Twice before it caused me to significantly slow down in big races after badly pulling muscles in my lower back. After getting over the initial extreme dissapointment of not being able to participate the way I wanted to, I was ultimately very proud of how I was able to get back out on the road despite the injury, albeit at a slower pace.
The last time, for the NYC Half 2 years ago, since I knew he would totally not approve, I couldn’t even bring myself to tell my PT guy.
Oh, TK, that stinks. But you’re right–running is about more than just physical things, and what we admire a lot of times about those we watch is their ability to run their races (and I mean that metaphorically) with grace. As I’ve read your blog, I’ve seen you show that quality in abundance, and I have no doubt you’ll perform wonderfully in this test.
May you heal completely just in time to board that plane and do your team proud.
Sorry to hear about your injury. Fingers crossed on a swift recovery. There is still time before the big race…
Off topic and seeing Brenn: I assume you’re the “friend” to whom Matt referred in recommending Brenn’s podcast on the most recent Dump Runners episode. Matt used your “NPR” reference.
Yes, I am very “friend”ly!
I thought I gave credit.
Maybe! But if you didn’t, I didn’t notice nor did I care. I was just delighted to be called a friend.
And good luck on Sunday in your race, I am very excited for you and can’t wait to hear all about it. What are the race conditions going to be like–cold? But will the roads be clear? GO MATT!!
Matt, you gave credit to a “friend,” or so I remember it. And good luck in those tights.
I wish this were an April Fool’s prank too. Although — It wouldn’t be a very funny one. Hopefully the PT goes well and you have a speedy (i.e. before London) recovery.
😦 I’m so sorry to hear about your hammy injury. I hope that PT, rest and ice will get you back on your feet before London.
Ouch Tavia! I’ve been down that same road – led to the only marathon prior to this year’s Boston that I had to withdraw from when I couldn’t even run 4 miles 3 days before the race. It sounds like you’re doing all the right things by laying off it and allowing the inflammation some time to settle down. Easy pedaling on a stationary bike helped me a lot also (helped circulation without stressing the hammy). Try to allow your mind to relax while your body is healing. You’re trained and your conditioning will be there when you need it. Wow, if only runners could follow their own advice!!