So me being the worst klutz in the world… I fell over train tracks going VERY slow like 5mph while riding around Chattanooga this past Saturday. I was scheduled to race Ironman Maryland this weekend. But the storm came and now is possibly postponed till October 17.
That makes it 3 weeks from the day I broke it. I went to my ortho doctor BEFORE i knew that the race was moved/cancelled. So did not even discuss this with him. Now that is may be the 17th I am think there is a CHANCE I can do it!!! I have read in some places people say “oh i raced in 21 day and it was fine.” to “it was a solid 10 weeks”.
I know it wont be the same race. But I can run right now and get on trainer.
I am an decent swimmer and that doesn’t scare me as much i think i can do it one handed and stroke some with my bad arm as much as putting weight on it during the bike. Being able to grab handle bars and steer.
Does anyone have any experience racing this fast after it. I would go in know the risk I would take in getting some hardware or damaging it more. Any encouraging stories about it healing fast or tips appreciated
I appreciate the amount of work you probably put in for this race. However, risking further damage to your arm to me is just…stupid. What’s the point? It’s just a race. There will be many, many more. Ask your ortho. But methinks you should wait. (Frankly, I’d be shocked if they can pull it off in two weeks anyway.)
I did ironman Canada in 2005 with a fractured radial head. The swim hurt, of course, but the bigger issue was reaching for my bottles on the bike. I don’t want to suggest that you race against medical advice, but you should know that it can be done.
Thanks! This is my second one. Already registered for choo 2016 as well. I Just one a year person. No Kona dreams but I did work REALLY hard this year and I have a friend who we do EVERY race toghether and I wouldn’t care if now it takes me 15 hours due to a slow swim and taking it easy on bike. As long as I do it.
we can try to get together the night before the race and i can tape it up and stabilize it a little better. the most painful part may be getting in and out of the wetsuit.
You are doing Maryland too??? Awesome! I am going to cheer on my friend no matter what. If they give a deferment to a 2016 race I’ll take it and do Texas. Enough to recover and recover enough for Choo.
But if it’s just do the 17th in going to try!!! I am on hour 2 of 4 hour trainer today and running 13-15 tomorrow.
I would love to meet you and wrap it! It is on my “dominant” left hand but I’ve always been pretty strong on ride side for sports.
I have a sleevelss wetsuit because I can’t wear sleeves due to collar bone Injury. I think I’ll order one of those sleeves for no injured hand and and some booties to keep me warm so I don’t have to do sleeves.
In 2005 I did Kona with two RHF. I was in a crash 20 days before the race and the doctor said I can’t do it, so I did.
Like CEO said it can be done, swim will hurt I taped my wrists and elbow to prevent torque during the swim this helped with pain but I swam slow of course.
Bike was hard to handle in crosswinds on the hoods and water bottle but if you can ride aero I had no pain.
Run was fine.
Side note the day after I swam without an pain what so ever in my elbows.
Leading in get lots of strength movements over the joints and be smart with your body overall.
You might be able to race. in 2003 I fractured my radial head (non-displaced) during a race and was able to race exactly 3-weeks later - albeit an olympic distance and was still fairly young at 29. Just working through the pain with some light swimming aided my recovery. Cycling will be the hardest. Its one of those injuries where you’re a reck until its fixed and then you are good to go.
Thanks guys! I’m pretty hard head and I understand the risk. I going to try the pool after Tuesday when they make decision. I think it might be okay if wrapped. Not my usual swim but I’m a strong swimmer I think I can just get the job done.
I did a 4 hour trainer brick this morning. Felt fine. Bikng is my strongest sport. I think I can bike pretty hard and I have a huge aero bottle. When I need more I’ll just physically stop and refill. I’m obviously not getting my goal time but strong enough on bike to keep from getting pulled even wth stops.
I’ll be 5 weeks out from clavicle surgery (not fixing… I crashed back in May… now removing this little present from my shoulder: http://bonepit.com/...0plate%2041F%201.jpg )
Surgeon says not to ride for a few months after removal. I’m racing anyway. Yes it may be a dumb thing to attempt. Or not. It is hard to say ahead of time. I intend to abandon on the bike if it hurts. Or walk the run if it hurts on the run.
Edit:
I’m pretty hard head
Yeah me too. Stubborn, determined, with a high pain threshold. I’m pretty sure those traits make us predisposed to injuries.
You are like me!!! Lol I am very hard headed. I did a 70.3 about 7 weeks from a collar bone accident where they put a plate in it. About 2 years ago. I was fine! I have never had issues with it after except I cant wear a long sleeve wetsuit the range of motion is too hard on it!
Wishing you best of luck!!! Hopefully we can do this!!!
Yes. I raced 2 weeks after fracturing mine. FWIW, Alberto Contador also raced the day after fracturing his, too… But he didn’t have to swim.
The swim is by far the worst part, pain-wise. I highly highly HIGHLY recommend you don’t use it swimming until the day of the race. As I was preparing, it would feel a bit better and I would test it in the water, just setting healing back a little. Practice one-armed swimming. You’ll probably rely on that during the race.
The fact that you’d be racing IMMD is excellent because it’s pan-flat and you wouldn’t need to take your hand off the aerobars much. I found that I didn’t have much pain in that position–putting weight on the elbow–if I wasn’t squeezing the aerobar too hard. Ascending with hands on the “hoods” and putting pressure on the palm was what hurt. As long as you don’t crash, you’ll be just fine on the bike. Do most of the “hanging on” with the right hand, and just use the left arm resting on the pad for balance.
My arm healed surprisingly fast after I stopped testing it to see if it was any better. Don’t fall for that temptation. Good luck, and keep us posted. You’ll be surprised how much better it feels by the 17th.
if you can, get in for some treatment asap. it will help it heal a wee bit faster, but the important part is that it’ll keep everything around it structurally sound.
your pcp shouldn’t have any problems getting you a script for PT. they should be able to give you taping advice. the sooner the better. get in 3x a week etc.
pm me for e-mail contact and we can touch base when we (if we) get to maryland.
Awesome! I will! I am fortunate to have really nice insurance at my job. I just have a $15 copay each time. Mo deductible. I will call my ortho Monday and discuss it.
I am an Ortho surgeon and IM finisher. If it was me and I had already done an IM and had another next year, I Would pass. You probably will be ok, but you could make a non-displaced fracture turn into a displaced fracture which may need surgery and will increase your risk of post-traumatic arthritis at a premature age. I recommend to look at the big picture, this is just one race of likely many.
I had a similar experience this year in which I dislocated my shoulder in a cycling incident 6 weeks before ITU Chicago WC. I was qualified for Oly AG for team USA. I could have done it, but wouldn’t have been at my best and clearly would have been at risk for re-dislocation so I cancelled the trip. Sucked, but now I will be 100% for next season. And if I re dislocated, I would have needed surgery and probably wouldn’t be fully recovered for next year, let alone the affect it would have on my life & job.
