hey everyone…I am adding on to this discussion now because I broke my collarbone 2 weeks ago. I don’t think my break (hairline fracture) is too serious. After my crash, the 1st doctor to look at my xray said I didn’t have a break, but then the radiologist said it was a hairline fracture. They said I don’t need surgery and sent me home with a sling. I also had very little pain (I didn’t take any painkillers) and after one day of long walking with my sling on, I started riding my trainer, not using my arms. I should mention I’m in the middle of training for an Ironman…and pretty serious about it, so I was very BUMMED (not to mention shaken up by the crash).
I’ve been able to ride my trainer everyday and just recorded my longest trainer ride to date (4.25 hrs), as my coach thinks I can still make a comeback for my Ironman race in Nov. (Florida). I also have been doing elliptical “run” workouts that do not bother my shoulder, but NO SWIMMING. Yesterday, I ran outside for the first time since my crash and was able to run well for over 2 hrs without pain to my shoulder. I obviously know my collarbone isn’t healed, so I don’t push it at all with my shoulder (i.e. no swimming at all yet).
What do you all think??? – is it wishful thinking for me to believe I’ll be able to do an Ironman race in a month? Or should I just give up on the idea? One of you said you finished your Ironman after you broke your collarbone and another of you said you gave up on the race. I’ve invested a ton of time AND MONEY training for this race…maybe you all can relate!
I broke mine at the end of May, hairline as well. I refused treatment as I didn’t want anyone telling me I couldn’t do the Racine 70.3 in July. 
Anyway, I took a few weeks off swimming and then started back gingerly. I had enough of a swim base that the time off didn’t effect me much. It still hurt after my swims and hurt to do some day to day stuff. I kept running and biking through the whole thing and just dealt with the pain. I did Racine in July and actually had my best swim to date in triathlon. I have to admit the hardest part was putting on my wetsuit! After that the pain was “tolerable”. 3 days after the race I went to the doctor. It was then I officially found out it was broken, but had since healed over. I then went to PT for it until last week, but I did re-injure it in late August. So it’s now October and I’m finally 100%. I “think” had I gone and got PT sooner Racine would have been better, and it wouldn’t have taken so long to be 100%, but I didn’t have anyone tell me I couldn’t do the race either. Tough call, which was right looking back.