So much can change in 1 year...

Today is a big day. It marks exactly 1 year since I was diagnosed with anterior compartment syndrome. Last year this day fell on "National Running Day". So much has happened in the last year. It has been a wild ride, but so worth it! You can read about my diagnosis here if you are a new reader. 

A year ago, I was scared, depressed and so incredibly mad. Why did this happen to me? I had never had a running injury before in my life so why did I get compartment syndrome just as my training was falling into place? I will be honest and tell you that I really felt sorry for myself. I cried a lot and I was a real bear to be around. Reading running blogs killed me, but also gave me hope and inspiration. I wouldn’t have survived the recovery phase without all of your words of encouragement. So, thank you.

Some people have asked why I didn’t just have the fasciotomy procedure. There are many, many, many reasons why I selected to not have the surgery. The main reason being I don’t think surgery is the best option in some situations. Given my case, it wasn’t the best option. Dr. Anderson was very up front with me and said I was a prime candidate for a fasciotomoy and if I wanted to proceed he could refer me to a surgeon. However, he also said that I had a really good chance of avoiding the procedure by taking a more conservative route. This approach would be time consuming- Chiropractor 2-3 days a week on top of physical therapy 2-3 days a week. My compartment syndrome was caused by a break down in form that over time caused some over compensating in my left hip. Dr. Anderson felt that if I focused my recovery efforts on fixing the root cause of my injury then surgery wouldn’t be necessary. It was a huge risk to take, but I am so glad that I did!

I give Matt a lot of credit in helping me transition my running gait. He must have felt like I was a lost cause during our first couple of sessions. It wasn’t easy to make a transition to a midfoot strike. Heck, I still struggle with it! He was willing to spend a majority of his summer break helping me and answering my zillions of silly questions. If it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t even be close to the same fitness level I was last year. I am still not there, but I am thisclose.

In the last year:

I couldn’t run for close to 6 months.

I learned how to run all over again.

I set my sights on a spring marathon and trained for said marathon.

I ran four 5ks and almost bested my 5k PR.

I learned that cycling is a great cardio substitute.

I ran two half marathons.

I ran two full marathons.

I fell in love with crossfit.

I learned that what knocks you down only makes you stronger.

I am looking forward to this next year. I am excited about my upcoming races and have even set some “A” race goals where I hope to get some PRs. I am okay if I don’t PR because I am just happy that I can run. That really IS the most important thing.  If you asked me last year while I was sitting in Dr. Anderson’s office what I thought I would be running a year later, I wouldn’t have dreamt I would be running at all.

Yesterday had a whole new meaning for me. Sure it was "National Running Day", but for me to had a deeper meaning that is really hard to describe. I made sure that I laced up my shoes and ran an easy 3 miles and then I capped the night off by registering for THIS. 

**Here are some other posts related to my diagnosis**

http://healthydivaontherun.blogspot.com/2012/03/wonky-stride-update-and-shiny-new-pr.html

http://healthydivaontherun.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-is-wrong-with-me.html

Let’s chat!

What has running and/or not being able to run taught you?

Would you have had the fasciotomoy surgery or take the more conservative route like I did?

--Tasha