Hanging up the Goggles/Cleats/Shoes- Update 6/8

Triathlon Forum
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Yesterday was a bad day- I just found out that my right ankle is still broken. The saga started about two years ago, when somehow somewhere I broke it. I can’t remember specifically when, what or where but I do have recollections of serious pain in my right ankle while running. But being the idiot I am I just took a few days to week a off and went back at it. This went on until July of 04, when during a race (sprint)I could barely finish the run. What pissed me off was that I had a 3 minute lead coming off the bike, and ended up losing by over 5 minutes, anyone losing over 8 minutes in a 5K is really running. So I went to the Dr finally got some X Rays and whamo my medial- Malleolus is snapped off at the distal end. Both Docs reading the X-ray (radiologist and my Podiatrist) both said the fracture was at least 8-10 months old. I went through 2 months of immobilization with no luck, then tried immobilization with a bone stimulator, still no luck. So in Dec I have two pins and some sort of wire harness put in me. I was in a cast for 8 weeks, still using the bone stim. I also had a good deal of tendon repair at the same time due to the tendon getting damaged by rubbing over the fracture. As a result of the surgery I also modified my diet greatly. The surgeon told me that I had soft bones and he wasn’t able to perform the surgery he wanted to do. Historically I have not been a big milk drinker, so I added a min 32 oz of milk a day, at least 1 yogurt, a 1 a day vitamin, and Calcium Citrate tablet once a day. At the same time I cut back on my coffee and Diet coke.

In late Feb I got the cast off and was given the go ahead to start running immediately. I was told I could start out with a one block run, then add a block for three consecutive days. Then take two days off and then start back where I left off and keep adding. I did not do this, I thought was too aggressive. Instead I started my PT right away, got on my bike for the first two weeks, then went to the elliptical trainer for two weeks, then transitions to a treadmill. My first run was four minutes long, I added a min every run taking a day or two off every three to four days. I gradually increased my increases as well add no more than 3 minutes per run or 5 min/ week. I ran this plan past both of my docs (podiatrist and surgeon) and they both thought it was fine. I was told by the surgeon that the bone was fine, and that slow start was mostly for tendon strengthening. So up until yesterday I was up 40 minutes runs. I went out last Thursday night for a run, did fine until about 30 minutes then started to have some very minor pain so I headed home, and was in my 36 min. With in an hour my ankle was swollen and I couldn’t walk. On Friday I got a bit better but I still scheduled an appt with my Podiatrist for Monday (yesterday). A few X-rays later and the bone is distracted and back to it’s original break, there is about a ¼” separation with the pins and wires still holding it somewhat together.

So now I am back to the beginning with this and basically no hope since the only and best option has already failed. I go back to the surgeon next week for his consult. My pod has suggested another surgery to remove the fragment and try to create a new groove for the tendon to slide in, but he said it may not work and the tendon might pop out with excessive force like running. So in a nutshell he has told me that running is no longer an option, without a miracle. I need a miracle!

So it looks like I will be done with tri. The funny thing is I like to train, but what really gets me out the door is racing. And I know that if I am not signed up for a race there is no chance that I’ll every really get into cycling or swimming that much. I am done with swimming from a competitive standpoint. You know been there done that. I still get thrills out of riding, but I am not quite good enough to call myself a racer. And with a young family at home I simply don’t have the hours to pour into cycling to be competitive. In tri for sprints and Olys I could put in 5-10 hours a week and be top 3 in my AG and top 10 overall in local races. Most of the 5-10 hours in that 2 years was on the bike because of the troubles with my ankle.

This sucks I need Prozac!

Are there such races as Swim/Bike/Swim for the retarded runners of the world?

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Find a really good runner who doesn’t want to do tris and go as a team. Who knows how many people you will introduce to the sport that way? I know that’s a poor substitute but it is a way to satisfy the competitive urge.

Sorry about your ordeal. Hang in there and good luck!

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ok, so your bummed, i understand why. no doubt my friend, you’ve been through it. i totally empathize with you (as I sit here anxious, just hoping and praying that my knee won’t puff up from this morning’s first 3 mile run in ages).

here is the deal…you’re going to have to work on the way you think about this. telling yourself that you won’t train because you “can’t race” is only going to get you more upset. thinking like this is preparing you for failure right out of the gate.

when i got hurt from running i had horrible internal dialogue that really ruined my spririt. since running was my identifier i felt like i lost my identity, my sport, and the best thing that helped me keep the weight off. so, my hobby was gone, my identity was gone and I was on the way to becoming a fat ass. life sucked for me for 2 years and then my father passed away–even worse i didn’t have running to help me cope with his loss. so I struggled with this “can’t run” thing for a little more than 3 years.

but in looking back, it didn’t have to be that way. and it doesn’t have to be hard for you either. so, i’m going to make some suggestions, even if you don’t want to hear them.

I’m sure you’ve read some posts about TOSRV–a double century “tour”. It was definitely a challenge, just read the posts. Since you don’t feel confident about your “abilities” to race a bike, do some events like this. They require the same dedication in training and will challenge you a great deal, and you don’t have to feel pressure to race. Also, what about relay triathlons–where you focus on the bike? perhaps you could do an iron distance this way–again, giving you challenge in distance, and also giving you competitive fullfillment.

you were on a swim team–you probably did a relay, right? think back to that. relays are great fun, and in some ways are even more rewarding because you share the experience and the win (whatever the win may be, it’s personal).

the point is–think big. quit thinking like an insect. come up with some ways to have fullfillment and do it now. don’t drag on and on about “how you can’t run”. you’ve got legs, can ride a bike, and have alot to be thankful for. so, don’t mope. get out there and figure out what to do, before alot of time passes you by. get back into the pool and do some swim meets. get out and find a new challenge on your bike. it’s about living life the way you can, not the way you can’t.

so, i’ll make a deal with you (and this is what I tell my candidates if they don’t get the “job of their dreams”, or experience a let down in someway). you can be sad today. i’ll give you one day to mope and that’s today. but tomorrow, get off your ass, think positively, and be ready–because you’ll have to get back on the train to enjoy the ride.

kittycat

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Thanks Kitty!

You know, last night I went and swam (strongly against my wifes wishes) I was pissed to say the least. I banged out 20 100’s on the 1:10 holding 1:05s. That was my anger management/depression cure. If think my post was bad you should have heard me yesterday afternoon.

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Sorry to hear your bad news. Don’t give up yet. There are lots of stories from people who were told they’d “never be able to…” again and they do. You might want to check with another doctor. God luck.

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Ever consider long distance mtb racing? It’s more of a long time trial where you control the intensity. Covering breaks isn’t important so it’s not like road racing with big power/speed requirements. Also seems a bit safer than road racing.

Best of luck with the non-union fracture. Get lots of opinions because no doctor has seen/done everything…

Lehmkuhler

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There are some “aquabikes” out there this year… ironman distance swim and bike, no run.

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If you must compete but don’t want to go the traditional masters swimming route you can try your hand a open water swimming. I’ve done a few races and it is enough of a challenge and enough different than racing in the pool to get the old swimmer in me motivated. Races are a little hard to find depending on where you live but they do have masters divisions and a national championship to shoot for. (Also, its nice for a change to swim with people who can go straight and who don’t wear wetsuits in 75 degree water.)

Joining a rowing club, if one is available, might also be a fun way to take care of your competetive juices.

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shit…you’re a fish. you should check out www.usms.org and look into some grand scale meets. you would go to nationals for sure. this would keep you pretty busy–add in some decent distance bike challenges and you’re set. and who knows, maybe you can come back to running later on. but don’t get hung up on it. you’ve got plenty of other things to do. with those swim times you could podium in an iron distance if you had the right team mates. that’s what I’d be working on anyway–finding some fast teammates. it’s a no brainer!!

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We completely understand that you are demoralized, but keep thinking that there is still hope of another surgery or other workout options. Also remember that docs are always skeptical and tell you the worst case.

Don’t give up yet!

Maybe try another opinion if you have not already. In particular, the advice of running right away sounds like bad advice - I am not a doc, but if one told me to run right away I’d lose confidence real fast. Sounds like you were smart in tapering it back.

Stay positive!

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With good care, who knows how strong that leg will be in a couple of years. How old are you? I took 20+ years off from tri not from injury but all the other things you mention-young family, career etc. Coming back now in my 40’s is a bitch, but has been fun. For some reason it is more satisfying now than in my 20’s. You have two legs of the tri you can improve on during your off time. Hang in there man and GET GOOD MEDICAL ADVICE INCLUDING 2ND AND 3RD OPINIONS.

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If you like riding enough, you might be surprised how you much you improve at riding without running and swimming getting in the way. I have a friend who quit the multisport thing and just started bike racing and he does quite well. He’s even won a few races. find some local bike races and a team and start bike racing.

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LOOK AT YOUR OWN POST FOR THE ANSWER!!! Seriously, it’s a bone break (albiet in a tricky spot). It will heal if given time and good medical help, but look at your post, you haven’t done it!! I’m hardly one to give advice on this since I’ve never been good at letting things heal, but for goodness sakes find a doc willing to give it another try, and let it FULLY heal. It may take a year or more for something like that. Do you want to run when you are older? Are you willing to sacrifice a year of running for the possibility of doing it in the future, or would you rather roll the dice and risk never running again? Give it time. You have time.

Get away from the sport for a while. Stop going to races, stop reading slowtwitch. Don’t put gas on the fire. Learn to play the piano this year. Let it heal.

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Doctor are always pesimists…

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So now I am back to the beginning with this and basically no hope since the only and best option has already failed.

did anyone investigate why the bone broke in the first place ? different shoes, different training surface, different workouts ? There’s something wrong when you break bones just by running, and the first step is to figure out what. Find yourself a running doctor and a running PT and get some new opinions… It sounds like your current docs didn’t do significant rehab, or causation research…

How ‘failed’ ? if it’s broken in the same place, it’s just the same problem again. Google reveals there are five or six different surgical techniques for stabilizing this particular fracture. So one of them has failed in your case - that still leaves a few options, surely ?

Next time give it a season to heal, don’t run on it. It’s very strange advice the surgeon gave, to go right back into it. Even with soft tissue injuries, I usually figure a good 2 months off actual running for rehab, with broken bones I would expect an even longer healing time. Goodness.

Definitely get a couple of 2nd opinions, and after the next surgery/whatever let Doctor Time have a chance. Pool running will maintain run fitness well without stressing the bone. Good luck and don’t give up…

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There are some “aquabikes” out there this year… ironman distance swim and bike, no run.

Aquabike???

is this swim bike swim? Do you know where?

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shit…you’re a fish. you should check out www.usms.org and look into some grand scale meets. you would go to nationals for sure. this would keep you pretty busy–add in some decent distance bike challenges and you’re set. and who knows, maybe you can come back to running later on. but don’t get hung up on it. you’ve got plenty of other things to do. with those swim times you could podium in an iron distance if you had the right team mates. that’s what I’d be working on anyway–finding some fast teammates. it’s a no brainer!!

I did USMS nationals in the late 90’s when I was just starting to get back into athletics and competition after a 5 or so year lay off from swimming. It was fun and I made finals in every event I entered, even though I was out of shape and fat. But it never really stirred my competitive juices like Tri does. To me swimming is old hat, where as tri is a nice blend of doing something I am great at (swimming) something I OK at (cycling) and something I suck at (running). It gives me that thrill of being competitive and finishing near the top put also the thrill of knowing that I have a lot of improvements to make. Swimming on the other hand for me is only down hill (not to me to be too negative) but I have accepted that I will never go a 1:38 200 fr again in my life for example. But with running and cycling I still have/had a lot to achieve, and that is what made me go in Tri.

I do have to admit that last summer after i found out for the first time my ankle was broken I did a team relay at the Steelhead half iron and we won the thing. I did really enjoy that.

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Agreed.

I “retired” in 1997 from serious triathlon racing/training. My “training” since then has been sporadic at best. The situation has been further complicated by a herniated disc in my lower back which has meant no swimming and almost no running. A good week will see me on the bike three times, but that’s about it. What I have found remarkable, is how much my fitness has been maintained despite the limited amount of time that I have put in. Mind you when I did, cut back dramatically starting in 1997, I had a pretty deep base with 15+ years of triathlon training and 5 years of high end running before that.

Fleck

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I feel for you, man. I am trying to get back into racing myself as it is what get me out the door to train. My bad back is what is keeping me from being competitive.

I have no other advice, as I am trying to fix myself. Just hope you can figure out how to cope with all of this bad news.

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**I do have to admit that last summer after i found out for the first time my ankle was broken I did a team relay at the Steelhead half iron and we won the thing. I did really enjoy that. **

The Steelhead is offering an Aqua Bike this year. I thnk it consists of the full swim and bike legs.