I broke my foot in early April - no running at all for 10 weeks or so - then 2 weeks of limited running. Kept the swimming and biking up during this time so no great loss of overall fitness.
Have been trying to build the running back over the past 5 weeks. Has been hard, actually very hard - though I am no great runner to begin with. My race runs (an Oly and HIM) have been dreadful - though I think I saw some improvement from the Oly to the 1/2.
How long to get the running back to some descent (sp?) form/speed. Should I be worried?
Seeing that the season is almost over, you have all fall/winter to work slowly up again. I would not be worried. Just get the foot better and ramp back up slowly and maybe do some running races in the spring to work your confidence back up.
I agree with Neo. I had a crummy injury about a year and a half ago (8 months with a stress fracture that wouldn’t heal and then finally surgery, therapy and the aftermath, with which I still struggle). It does not pay to test the limits of your foot. Give it the winter to gradually work on your running - remember that you want to participate for the rest of your life, not just for this short time because your body screamed and you did not listen.
I apologize if I sound like I’m scolding you like your mother…it really is not my intention. I just have been in that dark hole we know as “injury”, where you watch the rest of the world enjoy being active and you sit stewing. It will pass if you allow it my friend!! Listen to your doc…hopefully he understands the athlete mentality.
Take heart, Rob, you’ll come back sooner than you might think.
I also broke my foot this spring, in late March (fractured tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal— the bony protrusion on the outside of the foot).
I swam a ton and weightlifted for 6-7 weeks, then was able to gradually begin riding again. Also did some “speed crutch walking” in the walking cast (oh, the amused looks I got from the folks out on the trails) and a bit of water running. Anyway, I took my first tentative running steps at about 9 weeks out, starting with a mile of walk-jogging. Within 3 weeks I had worked back up to 5 miles (no walking) and was starting to regain my speed.
Four months after breaking the foot I raced at the Vineman Half and succeeded in keeping the run under 2 hours. My split was 8.5 minutes slower than my previous best run at VM, so I still have a ways to go, but I think you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can get the majority of your speed back. I know I was! Part of the challenge is just getting rid of the weight you put on when you can’t run. Ugh.
Anyway, you have my complete sympathy, but you WILL come back. I’ve really been shocked by how quickly I’ve recovered. There’s a lot to be said for years of endurance base. Now if I can just get rid of the extra 7 pounds…
Listen to your doc…hopefully he understands the athlete mentality.