To the Docs:

I strained my right calf about 3 weeks ago. I have taken it easy (somewhat) since that happened. I took 4 consecutive days off a couple of days after the incident. I was stubborn enough not to rest right after it happened because I was afraid to lose that momentum if I rested. I've been running between 30-45 miles a week for a few weeks before that. The 2nd week after my injury, worried about not being able to cover so many miles before Helvetia, I ran 15 miles (actually, ran 14 and walked 1mile) only because the pain kind of subsided after 3 miles, but then came back at mile 14. I know that wasn't a smart thing to do, but I was feeling guilty for having rested that much. Anyway, I only had 5 days left before Helvetia... I know it wasn't smart, but since I REALLY, REALLY wanted to run my very first half-mary, I rested for 4 days (besides, I had no, choice - I was really limping), then ran Helvetia the next morning.

My leg felt well enough to run and was fine until I hit a steep downhill. I did just fine going up, of course, but going down killed my leg. I was still able to kind of keep my (injured) pace until I got to the gravel part of the course. A mile away from the finish line, the pain from my calf shifted to the outside of my ankle, then the pain shoots up towards my knee. I was in excruciating pain for the last .2 miles on the carpet. I was pretty much- hopping on my left feet with my right barely touching the ground.

I didn't really have a goal, but I was hoping I could do it a few minutes faster than 2:10:15. Overall, I still had a good time and it was a fun experience and wouldn't have it any other way.

Now, the pain is coming back. I couldn't rest or sleep that night, and the following day, Sunday, because of the pain. I iced my legs (my calf, especially) after the race, but that didn't seem to make much difference. I'm seeing a sports medicine/chiropractor/physical therapist in town and was told to take off 2 weeks from running and do other kind of workout instead - aqua jog, upper-body strengthening, weights, etc., in addition to therapy 3/wk.

My worries are: I am determined to run HTC in August and the Pmarathon in October.... the thought of losing that so-called "momentum" scares me so much.. it's almost depressing.

Without "sugar-coating" it, will somebody please tell me the truth if it's really possible for me to run HTC and the marathon? What if it turns out that I would need to rest longer than 2 weeks? I know there are far worse injuries out there than mine, but, I just need a little bit of (true and sincere) reassurance here.

Thanks for reading my semi-diary and I certainly would appreciate anyone's input.

Ann

Ann,
Strained muscle tissue, if only a mild tear, take 6-8 weeks to heal with rest and good nutrition/hydration. Doing light exercises, stretches, icing, and anti-inflammatory you can cut that to about 4-6 weeks. More aggressive therapies like ultrasound/E-stim, deep tissue sports massage and chiropractic adjustments along with all of the afore mention methods can get down the healing time to 2-3 weeks. This is for a mild strain. I do not know the extent of your injury. The marathon is 14 weeks away. I imagine that there has been worse injuries recovered from in that time. We have lots of tools to help you recover fast, but we need to know what is causing the problem. Give me a little more info on the nature of the injury, age, height, weight, etc. and we shall create a solution.
Dr. Jake

Dr. Jake:

I believe I have received a reply from you once before about this, but this started when I did my very first speedwork( 5/24/06 - will never forget that day). I arrived late @ the track and didn't warm up or lightly stretch before sprinting a few times with the group. After that session, it started to rain so, I didn't stretch, either, came home and forgot all about it.

Anyway, I continured to run a few days before HH and the actual race. It hasn't felt any better since Sunday. Well, actually the calf feels a little better, but now, the pain moved to the side of my leg and around my ankle. It's a sharp, shooting pain, and feels very tight. I can't stand on one leg and it hurts to go up and down the stairs - espcecialy up the stairs. I've been icing and wrapping it for the last couple of days and i've taken anti-inflammatory/pain medication prescribed by the (urgent care clinic) doctor for 2 wks.

I'm 41, 5'1, and weigh between 108-110 lbs, depending on how much I run. Nowadays, I'm probably more on the 110 lb-side.

I have gone a couple of times to a sports medicine clinic. So far, they've done this so-called e-stim and massage, and icing&wrapping. He suggests that starting today, I should do a moist hot wrap at home and massage.

Please let me know what else I should have done to speed up the healing process and since I don't have health insurance (another major concern), is it going to cost me to get a 2nd or 3rd job and a 2nd mortgage to my house to have this done? Hmmm.....

I would really appreciate any advice you can give.

Thanks,

Ann

Ann,
Stop by the tent on Sat. and I will look at the calf and see what is going on. I can then give better stretching advice and recommendations.
Cheers,
Dr. Jake

Dr. Jake:

I live in Vancouver so, I go to the seminar here on Sundays. Besides, I work on Saturday. Last time you suggested to come by the tent at the VFit seminar when the PFit members were there, I didn't see anyone at the tent but the HH packet pick up and the massage people (unless you were one of them?). I thought maybe there would be a sign about "health/injury questions" somewhere. I didn't bother to ask, either.

Do you come to the VFit seminars? Or maybe you were one of the speakers before but I didn't realize you're Dr. Jake.

Thank you for the prompt reply.

Ann

Ann,
Yes. I was one of the three massage people as was Dr. Bryan. Sorry we missed you. We just have a Clearwater banner and that is usually it. Unfortunately, we don't make it out to Vancouver except on special occasions. If you could stop by tomorrow, before work, at about 8-8:30 there is not a line and I could help.
Let me know.
Dr. Jake

Dr. Jake,

I will do my best to make it there tomorrow (although I don't even know where Pfitters meet) and how to get there from here. I guess I can mapquest it if I (at least) know the address.

Thanks,
Ann