Broken my leg - gutted!

[MelsieJay]

I broke my leg at 5pm today. Apart from the pain I’m so gutted. I’ve worked so so hard to learn to run and complete the programme and keep running since. It doesn’t come naturally but I did a good 30 min one this morning ! To a cafe for breakfast! And now - 6 to 8 weeks in a boot to recover and heaven knows how I will even begin them to get to this level of fitness again. I can’t believe that’s what I’m worrying about but it is. I’m so proud of the hard won achievement and massively sad I can’t keep running to keep being fit. I know I will sit and eat out of boredom and it will be a fitness slog all over again. Sorry to moan I’m just so upset ...

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Oh what rotten luck! Don’t despair though: you know you can run and you’ll run again when you’re fully recovered. It must be really frustrating all the same

[Myrar Graduate]

Aww I'm so sorry to hear that ...It feels awful being on the IC I sympathise with you ...Hope you heal quickly and be strong again ...Take care

[Goforitmama Graduate]

What can I say? Well that sucks! Big time!

I sympathise and wish you a good recovery.

[Hidden]

Awww Im soo sorry to hear about your leg. I know you must be feeling devastated right now but look at it this way... everything happens for a reason. I know right now it won't feel like it but I truly believe that.

I wish you a speedy recovery though and you will get back out there in the future to come.x

[Pencoed18 Graduate]

Ahh bless you I would feel the same we work so hard and go through so many different emotions on this journey. Hope you recovery well and get back to it ASAP.

[Gran4z Graduate]

You moan as much as you like MelsieJay, you have every right. I'm so sorry, life can be so mean sometimes. However, by the sounds of it, you will get back to running because you sound so determined.

I think too that because you're already fit from the running you've done you will recover much quicker than if you'd been sitting around these last 7 weeks.

Hope the pain is bearable , rest, and us lot here will be watching and waiting to hear how you're doing.

Wishing you well for a speedy healthy recovery.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Ack, poor you, how annoying (and painful... the pain matters and can have a depressant effect)

But hang on hang on... once upon a time you probably 'knew' you couldn't run continuously for 30 minutes but you did something about that. So you only know that there is a *risk* you might just sit and eat out of boredom, and because you are aware of the risk you can do things to prevent or minimise that. There will be some upper body stuff you can do, and maybe you could start a structured programme of meditation or whatever to complete during the time you can't run. Or read some absorbing books about running or nature or anything that takes your fancy.

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Excellent constructive advice thank you x At least I can’t stand up and move around to bake so less cake for me for a while!!!

[WalkingWithLabradors Graduate]

💐Chin up, my lovely, I’m guessing you’ve done the best groundwork to reparation already by keeping fit pre injury. Keep logging in here and before you know it you’ll be telling us about your first ‘post IC’ run. X

[Agelesslass]

Know how you feel, I had two operations on my foot last year which put me out of running for eight months, but now I’m on week 9 of the programme, so don’t disparity, you can recover and get back to running again.

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Agelesslass]

How’s it going? Last run yet? X

[Saartjie Graduate]

Oh no! What a shame 😕 I hope it heals quickly. At least when you get back out there you know you can do it. And as GoogleMe says...maybe there's other things you can do without your leg - weights, abs? In the meantime take care of yourself x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Oh noooooo 😩 What a shame. Wishing you a speedy recuperation, and hopefully you’ll be back to running again before too long.

[spscollins]

Oh no. Take rest. Look at it like this - itsy be cooler when you resume and less pollen - which all in all better for running or jogging. Look for positives.

[Hidden]

😢😢😢 So sad to hear that! You moan away as much as you like .....

Hope the time goes quick for you.x

[cheryl_couch_tatty Graduate]

So sorry to hear that. Try and stay positive in your recovery, I know it will be frustrating but you will be running again one day. Start looking at plans to get back, you probably will have to do some other form of exercise to get back to running. I hope you have a good recovery x

[Anneontherun21 Graduate]

So sorry that happened, Melsiejay. You will have a bit of a way back to come in terms of fitness once you get the all-clear. Can you look at this next stage as a maintenance and recovery phase. As others have suggested, there will be some exercises you can do before you can walk and run. But the main thing has got to be nutritional optimisation. Don't think of it as a diet, but do try to learn what aids healing (protein, fresh food, vitamins and minerals), and what you need to do to balance your energy output - which means eat less energy input while you're sedentary. I know two lucky men (not lucky that they broke their legs) whose wives joined in the project and partnered them in their nutritional planning. Okay, yes, put them on a diet. And since those with the broken legs weren't actually out doing the shopping, it was possible to stick to the plan. By the time they were back to fitness they had not put on weight, felt healthy, and had adopted their improved eating habits for good. I also know someone (okay, me) who broke ribs and sat in the kitchen within reach of the biscuit tin until they healed. The choice is yours, but you can see it as an opportunity. Good luck anyway. I hope you have something you like doing that you can increase your interest in in the meantime. Other than eating biscuits!

[Kazbar10 Graduate]

So sorry to hear about your leg, I feel gutted for you that you can't finish after all your hard work.

You can pick it back up when healed x

[Ceebies]

I did exactly the same last Saturday! It’s driving me nuts. I keep watching my husband go out and come back from his runs and it is so frustrating! I was ahead of him in the programme and now he’s past the point I was at when I did this.

At the moment I’m just trying to focus on my leg and what I can do to help it heal. Do some reading on healing broken bones, you’d be surprised what the body is doing to get you right again. I felt that I’d lost control when I did it, but being aware of the stages I am going through to recover and what I can do to aid that has given me some back. There are lots of things your body needs to heal the bone so I’ve changed my diet to help that.

When you feel up to it, have a look at Caroline Jordan on You Tube For some non weight bearing exercises that can be done to help maintain fitness. She’s really positive. I was given that advice by another runner on this forum last week. I haven’t started it yet and it feels a bit too soon (physically and emotionally), but I’m working up to it.

Also, you’ll probably find that today and tomorrow you are still running on adrenaline and thinking that you’ll still do this and that! Day 3 hit me like a train. I tried to take my wee boy to nursery (only walk from the car to the nursery) and I couldn’t do it. By the time I was half way down the path, my dad was coming back from dropping him off 🤣🤣 I went home and cried as I realised just how much I was going to not be able to do. But that feeling has passed and I’m much more used to getting around now.

Take good care of yourself and keep your chin up xxx

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Ceebies]

Thank you for all that help and positive stuff. I’m sorry you are going through it too. Let’s stay in touch and support each other! X

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Ceebies]

Thanks for the heads up re crashing after a few days. You’re right I did mentally/emotionally. Just the thought of being right back at the rubbish point and all the work ahead to do again plus the sheer frustration of every little thing being so much more complicated or long or painful. I sit down after a trek to the loo and realise I didn’t get the ice pack on the way. Etc etc!! My husband just went out for a run a few mins ago and I’m jealous!

Are you more mobile now? Any easier yet?!x

[Ceebies in reply to MelsieJay]

It does get easier after that crash. I am much more mobile everyday. I am managing really well in the house without crutches most of the time. I’ve even been out to a friends BBq without them (only from the car to a seat in her garden and everybody waited on me which was fab😉)

I am still frightened of going over and making it worse but in the house I feel more stable without anything now as my crutches keep tripping me up with the kids toys etc. There’s a huge difference between last week and this week, don’t get disheartened, it does take time but you will notice a difference soon I’m sure xx

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Oh, so sorry to hear that MelsieJay! That’s a real bummer! The journey isn’t over. You have all of the joy and determination of completing this programme, so you know that you call the shots. Your leg is broken, but you won’t be. It’s an unwelcome interruption in your fantastic new experiences, but they’ll be more. Eat well, be gentle on yourself and you will be ready to get back out on the run! Big hugs!!❤️❤️

[maureenohara]

Many commiserations to you. Of course you are really upset. Could you have osteoporosis? I am injured after only a few weeks running and I know how disappointing and frustrating it is. Wishing you speedy recovery.

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to maureenohara]

How is your injury now? Did you get sorted?

[Jell6 Graduate]

That is bad luck, and you know it's not got a quick fix.

On the other hand, you know, once healed, you can build this up again.

I am sure there are some core, and upper body exercises that you can do. Also agree with others, this is a good time to have a look at diet and nutrition, and if possible, get into a good eating regime, then when you are able to resume you will be in the best nutritional health.

I intend to give my diet a workout, and my cupboards a clear out!

It will still be there waiting for you, once healed 🤗

[Fiona_B Graduate]

So sorry to hear... I have been thinking about adding other exercises to support my running and avoid injury, e.g.hip strengthening, core muscles and upper body...not sure how much you will be able to do, but maybe now is the perfect time for you? I wish you all the best, and as others have said, you know you can do it! You will do it again! X

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Oh no! 😕 so sorry to hear this.

Look after yourself.

I know it will be hard not to comfort eat, but knowing that you will feel tempted to is half the battle.

Are you allowed to be mobile in your boot? I’m thinking maybe a gentle walk outside when you are allowed might help keep you from going totally crazy.

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Yes walking is encouraged to stop the muscles wasting but at the moment just a few steps to the toilet and I’m standing crying! But it will get easier and hopefully ditch the crutches in time x

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to MelsieJay]

A few years ago I had a bad back, some nights it took me 20 minutes to get up 3 stairs, so I know how that feels. Plus, it’s totally exhausting.

Don’t try and ditch the crutches too soon though.

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thanks for the kind encouragement x

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Im so so sorry for you. Hope you recover well🤕🤕🤕

[Dexy5 Graduate]

So sorry to hear about your leg. I do hope you have a speedy recovery. Just follow medical advice and start physio as soon as you are able. You will return.

[FormulaRun]

Don’t despair - you did it before you will do it again. Meanwhile find something that you can do while you mend to keep fit, and plan your come back. Could you help out at a local park run as a marshal, or a mentor here? Good luck, stay strong & stay positive.

[Hidden]

That's awful. Poor you. Keep that chin up, and keep checking in with us - I know it'll be hard as you'll feel so cheated, but you want to keep that motivation up and be ready to re-engage very slowly when the time comes. So what happened? 😢

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Hidden]

We were out for a walk up in Cumbria and almost back to the car. A nice grassy path to finish on but it had a gully along the edge by the stone wall and it was covered by overgrown grass. I stepped on it and went over on my ankle - awful crack - and crashed into the dry stone wall. It’s damaged my wedding ring and that finger is sore so the rings impacted hard into it and wedding ring has split. The pain in my leg was incredible and had to limp back to the nearest farm for help! Not the best fun on a Saturday night!

[Hidden in reply to MelsieJay]

My goodness, that sounds about add sore as it probably was. Isn't it typical right when you were headed home. One of my snowboarding injuries was the same, all I had to do was skate to the car park. Cue speed-skier and a frantic attempt to get out of the way. Knee went down and an audible pop sounded. I knew before the pain hit that it was gonna be bad.

I wish you a speedy recovery and will be looking out for your return. 😀

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes that distinctive snap crack and pop. Just before the pain hits. Sorry you had that too. I promise to try and stay positive x

[Hidden in reply to MelsieJay]

Good, because as with all thing this too will pass. 😉😘

[Gemylou Graduate]

I feel for you. 15 weeks ago I slipped and broke my shoulder in 4 places and ended up having surgery. Last week I was given the all clear to run again. I’ve given it some thought and this time I’m going to join a running club as I’m not sure I’ve got the motivation to do it all again by myself. However I do believe I’ll manage it again. Don’t despair in time you will be able to run again just don’t rush. Once I was able to I’ve started doing lots of walking and swimming to try and build up my level of fitness so it’s not too much of a shock. I wish you well with your recovery, stay positive.

,

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Gemylou]

Thank you that’s encouraging. I’m so sorry about your shoulder. My husband wrecked his AC joint skiing a few years ago and it is a horrible debilitating injury. They all are some way or another. My lovely neighbour is an ex physio and came in this evening to show us how to do the boot cos they didn’t at the hospital and I was too shocked to realise. It’s made it slightly less painful to walk a few paces now and she helped us ice it for a while and loads of good advice for stairs and steps so I’m trying to feel positive. I hope your rehabilitation goes well x

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Gemylou]

How’s it going? Have you joined the running club? I can’t wait to swim again but with the boot at the moment there’s no point wishing!!

[Gemylou Graduate in reply to MelsieJay]

Had the welcome meeting last week lots of lovely people and running starts Tuesday so fingers crossed it all goes well. Unfortunately pulled my back by overstretching I am so weak on one side and still working hard to get the full range of movement back in my arm but should be ok. I think the exercise might help. Be patient (easier said than done) you’ll be up and about in a few weeks and maybe use the time to plan new routes. Good luck!

[BossLadyTinaK]

Get well soon and please don’t despair. Take one day at a time and don’t worry about running again at the moment as your recovery is more important.

[Flowell Graduate]

I broke my ankle last August. That’s why I needed to do this, to get back fitness and also to start loosing the weight I put on. Couple things I did - read about diet as it helps you heal. Chair dance to keep the rest of you fit. Use weights. You have a lot more muscles that help you run than your leg, work on them. Have massages as help the circulation which helps with swelling and healing and stop you getting sore from being lop sided. Plan your come back runs! But seriously you will heal so much quicker as you are fitter! So thank goodness you got so far in the program!

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Flowell]

Serious question - How do I chair dance? (Btw I can’t dance standing up anyway. Uncoordinated!)

[Flowell Graduate in reply to MelsieJay]

Oh chair dancing. Mainly to be done alone. With tunes from your teen years and no shame! 🤣

[MelsieJay Graduate in reply to Flowell]

Aha. All is clear now. Bit like dancing round the kitchen with the dog. Alone! But on a chair!’Thank you