I"m looking for some advice from either the experienced or the clumsy members (or both) in the Club. My foot had an unfortunate meeting with an imaginary root while I was out on a training run the weekend before last.
In the week following, my 2 skinned knees are mostly healed, my left shoulder scrape is gone, as is the one on my hip. The only thing that is giving me grief is my rib which I bashed quite nicely on the ground - wedging my HRM into my rib cage. I know it's either cracked or bruised or whatever and that very little can be done - my question is - do you think it's ok to pop a few Ibuprofen and still race? (I'm signed up for a 25km trail race on Saturday). I've done a few runs since the tumble, and have experienced varying levels of discomfort - bordering on pain once i get my lungs/heart rate up.
So, should I just suck it up and do it or do you think it's a bad idea? (Breathing doesn't cause any discomfort, but DEEP breathing is uncomfortable).
clumsy
"Everybody's gotta run sometime" - A3
Comments
Ibuprofen
Hey, sorry I did not see this to reply in time. It is an interesting topic for sure so I decided to post anyway.
For future reference my 2 cents worth on that subject is that if your injury is not one that could cause serious damage by running on it there is nothing wrong to take a couple ibuprofen to get through a race. Especially from the sounds of it what you have is nothing too serious. You are likely to cause more damage 'sucking it up' and running funny because you are in pain than if you could mask the discomfort and run with good regular posture. I would not do this for training however, and would not do this if I thought the injury could seriously worsen as a result of this. I typically do not use ibuprofen aside from in the above mentioned scenario I usually do an ice bath after training instead. But when I have used 'vitamin I' to get through a race for overuse muscular injuries I tend to have not only have I not experienced negative side effects but often have released the tightness in the muscle by doing that. I know most doctors would prescribe rest but I usually find that in the case of my own injuries they just reoccur with rest and the best answer for me is strengthening, but your injury is different. I would have it checked out though by a doctor and make sure it is not seriously cracked and risk tearing up something else from bouncing and friction before running on it, then when you know exactly what is up you would be in a better position to make that judgement call. But I would personally keep running on a bruised rib as long as I could do it without running with my back crooked or overcompensating in some way as that could lead to a lot more pain and further injuries and take a while to recover from. You also will find that adrenaline is an even better pain killer and while a couple of ibuprofen will help you get to the start line adrenaline can often make you forget about it all together.
This part is not any kind of advice just so you know how I approach it so you can make your own decision on what I have said in case you are way at odds from what I believe - but when I do see a doctor I always let them make a diagnosis, then I use that to help myself know more about the situation and rarely do what they prescribe. Basically keep in mind I have no medical training and am generally skeptical of what western medicine has to offer before taking any medical advice from me. Not for everyone for sure.
Ryan
Thanks!
Cheers
"Everybody's gotta run sometime" - A3
Hi A... uh..Runzalot (love that UN)
There'll be other 25km races. If you feel well enough go volunteer on Saturday. Sometimes it's better to be called a whimp and miss a race, but have a faster comeback in the end.
Take care,
Sibylle