Of all the crazy thoughts leading up to an Ironman Louisville, bruised ribs was the last thing on my mind. But, last week I had a fluke injury and it has thrown a completely new wrench into my taper.
I am the king of self-diagnosis/remedy, so I have combed the internet looking for a quick fix to this problem. Hours and hours of reading in bed with an ice pack have revealed . . . there is no quick fix.
I have, however tried the following:
– Apple Vinegar Compress
– Epsom Salt baths with Lavender
– Ice
– Heating pad
– Drinking Tumeric powder mixed with water and black pepper
– Light stretching
– Advil
– Hemlock
– Witch Doctors
– Incense
– Tons of juicing with a lot of garlic
– Heavy doses of vitamins
– Pizza
– Lots of protein shakes
By all accounts bruised ribs are a 3-6 week heal and I just don’t have that kind of time. So, what’s a guy to do? Get steeped in “House of Cards” episodes (I watched 8 in a row) or stay active and get used to the pain?
I’ve opted for both, but mainly the latter. I’ve determined that laying around doesn’t seem to make enough difference and my thought with any kind of illness (which is how I’m viewing this) is to work it out.
That doesn’t mean I am killing myself, but I am riding and swimming a little to keep the blood moving. What I’ve noticed is it usually hurts more when I’m done, which should be a great incentive to keep me moving during this race.
And having bruised ribs will likely help me with one other major factor: patience.
Ironman is a long day and I simulated the start of my swim today by staying way under control. Purposely going slow and making sure I didn’t over-extend my reach, catch, or pull. The result was fairly encouraging. I swam an easy 1,000 meters and it was right around my expected time. The question is, can I hold that for 2,800 more?
The bad news was, as soon as I got out of the pool is when it felt like I was the subject of a Voodoo Doll experiment. Tantalizing pain through my chest, especially with deep breathing. So, if you see me taking my time up the swim exit ramp in Louisville, you’ll know someone in a remote village of Africa is playing a sadistic trick.
The bottom line here is, I’m going to have to deal with pain and that’s where my energy will go the next 11 days or so. I must be mentally prepared to move pain around my body.
It is what it is.
I thought about possibly deferring to Maryland, but Louisville is the race I want, and frankly, sometimes you’re just ready to race. Another month isn’t going to make the difference.
I have decided to look at this injury as a positive. It adds to the challenge and frankly eases my nerves because it pisses me off. I’m going to tackle this race one way or another, and hopefully all that pain in my ribs will make me forget about my planter fasciitis, tender Achilles tendon and all the real suffering in the world.
In the meantime I’ll be working on my base tan with Mattie.
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I’m entering taper for IMWI with a new injury. Doesn’t it suck? Peak week of training this week and I have 0 miles in. This weekends training brough a strained hip flexor. Each day it is getting better. hope to try to swim tomorrow. It will be a miracle for me to finish this thing. Its frustrating watching others as they are peaking and training is going great – seeing their volume. I just see me as a failure. But I keep trucking along and trying to stay positive.
Hey Laura… yes, it does suck… but since I have really tried to spin it into a positive… ie… it forces me to rest and recover… I’m just doing little strength and balance things now with a little swim and bike… Don’t get caught up in other people’s mileage… it will drive you crazy… stay patient… take it one stroke, pedal, and stride at a time and you’ll be fine. I’ll be up there looking for you!