Thursday, June 6, 2013

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**

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


28 comments:

  1. I have followed your journey from there to here and am so proud of you for your dedication and hard work. I think you were smart to go the conservative route. I have seen fasciotomies done and would have done the same thing you did. You have some serious drive and talent, so glad you are almost back to where you were before. It feels like forever at the time, but in the big picture is really just a blip on the radar. Not being able to run this last month has taught me to just relax and know that it sucks taking time off but in the long run it will be better and I will come back stronger if I just give my body the rest it needs right now. Running has taught me I am strong, determined and not to set limits.

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    1. I am so glad to hear that you have seen a fasciotomy before and that you agree with my decision. The surgery pictures I found online looked awful. My doctor told me after the fact that IF I had chosen that route he wasn't sure how well I would run after the recovery process. I still don't feel 100%, but I know that my injury was pretty serious, even though I felt like I was sugar coating it to myself. I just want to be healthy and run pain free. Taking the time to get better is really nothing now compared to the years of running that I have left.

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  2. Not being able to run has made me so much more grateful when I DO get to run!!!

    How has using your Adrenalines been with continuing withe your midfoot strike? I keep wondering if switching back might reduce some of my pain, but I don't want to go right back to overpronating either!

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    1. So far the Adrenalines have been good to me. Although I didn't wear them to my half on Saturday, I stuck to my pure flows. I ordered the new model of Adrenalines which I will start to run in 100%. I will let you know what I think.

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  3. Wow, it has been a year already! You have come a LONG way and I think you did the best thing for your body by just letting it naturally heel and not getting surgery. I think the biggest thing running has taught me is that if I can mentally prepare myself I can do anything really...it really is amazing how much of it is a mental sport (if you aren't injured of course).

    Can't wait to see what the next year brings for you!

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    1. Isn't it crazy that a year has already passed? I think that running is pretty amazing. The things that we can learn from it are stuff that we can apply to our everyday lives.

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  4. all I can do is smile Tasha. It is so wonderful to see the process of a year's worth of heartache, dedication, work and pain have done for you physically and mentally.
    *hugs*

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    1. Thanks Marnee. I still can't believe that it has been a year. Thank you for all of your sweet comments and words of inspiration. You have been such a great friend to me over the last year.

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  5. You've done SO much and work SO hard! I'd be conservative like you. My husband did 2 ankle surgeries and has been out of [full] commission for almost 2 years so I'd want to take baby steps vs all out surgery

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    1. Thanks Kat! I definitely really feel like I made a really good decision. At the time I didn't think it was good, but looking back I am so glad I toughed it out.

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  6. You deserve everything you have now! You worked SO hard!!!! Congrats!!!!!!

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  7. I would have absolutely taken the same route you did. You were more than anything - patient with your body and brought it back full strength if not stronger! You deserve all the happy moments that running brings you this year :)
    Running has taught me a lot of things about myself -truly treating myself properly - setting goals and actually accomplishing them- not just fleeing around between what fits in the moment. long road.

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    1. Running has taught me so many things. I love how a lot of what I have learned I can apply to situations in my everyday life. Definitely has made me a stronger person both physically and mentally.

      Glad to know that you, as well as other people, would have taken the same route as I did. It wasn't an easy decision. At first I almost met with the surgeon just to hear him out. I am so glad that I didn't.

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  8. Wow what a year!! I believe your journey had been inspiring and I think I would of taken the same approach. Even though it took patience, endurance and self-control to restoring your leg, you stuck to it and are back running strong. I don't like surgery, of any sort, it takes longer to recover and your body is not the same. After intestinal exploratory surgery from my motorcycle accident my stomach has not been the same and they didn't even have to stitch anything up. Running has helped me build confidence and stick to something for the enjoyment of it :) when I don't run it has taught me that life goes on and there are other forms of exercise(even if I don't prefer them...ha!)

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    1. Surgery to me is just scary. I had knee surgery because I had too, but without it I really wouldn't be running. I just think that too many people jump the gun without exploring ALL of their options. I wanted to make the best decision for me. Might not be the best for everyone, but for me it was. I definitely prefer running, but I almost love crossfit just as much now. Crazy!

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  9. Just found your blog! Wow!! What a story!! Sounds like you've been on quite the journey, and now it's only going to get better :) How inspirational! I'm excited to keep reading :)

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    1. Thanks Sarah! I just went and checked out your blog too. LOVE it!!!! I am definitely looking forward to this next year. It really only can get better. :-)

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  10. It has been so awesome to see you push yourself to fully recover! I am so glad I was able to watch your progress and see how amazing and inspirational you are! A (not so) little injury is NOTHING! You are awesome :)

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    1. Thanks Nikki! I appreciate all of your kind comments. I am glad that I can inspire you. Your swimming sure inspires me! I am always in awe of your workouts.

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  11. I would say you've had a killer year. You have come back so strong--I'm really happy for you. I think moving forward things will only get better, too.

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    1. Thank you Amanda. I am really looking forward to the next year. After this summer I plan on finding a race to train for. Probably won't be a marathon, but I would like to get a PR before this time next year in some distance.

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  12. I am a new reader, but WOW, what a year you've had! Your story is very inspiring!

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  13. You have had an amazing, and inspiring, year Tasha. I am sure you're glad it is behind you but I suspect you are also much stronger for it. Here's to no more trials like the last year brought but many more good things head :)

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    1. It has been a wild ride that is for sure, but I learned so much about myself. That is the most important thing. I am glad that it is behind me (knock on wood) and I am looking forward to this next year. I have so many fun races lined up. I can't wait!

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  14. Thank you for posting this,
    I also decided to not have surgery and go the PT route
    This post is giving hope

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    1. The conservative route can help in some cases, but not in every instance. I always think that it is best to error on the side of caution. Surgery is scary and expensive! Good luck!

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