Devastated...

redhead1910
redhead1910 Posts: 304 Member
in Motivation and Support
I trained for 8 months to run a half marathon for team in training last september and hurt my knee a week before the race. I tore the IT band in my leg and my doctor says without surgery I will not be able to run long distances for a long time, if ever again. I feel so ashamed. I used to be able to run 10-15 miles at a time and now I can't do more then 4 without my knee killing me. Just feeling like a failiure and need some hugs. :(
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Replies

  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Well BIG HUG red. Nothing to be ashamed of, but I understand you feel set back. Don't see it as an end to anything though. Today's medicine is pretty impressive and I've seen more and more people coming back after surgery only to better themselves and be more fit than before.

    I feel ya darlin'. But don't let it stop your goals!
  • Andreagay60
    Andreagay60 Posts: 50
    Bless your heart...what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. :flowerforyou:
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    I understand your disappointment, but why are you ashamed and feel like a failure?????
    Get the surgery, get well and treat your body with respect - which means get back into it gradually, otherwise you might NEVER run anywhere again....
    Good luck!
  • VictoriaFitness2010
    VictoriaFitness2010 Posts: 175 Member
    Great BIG ((((((((((((((((( HUG ))))))))))))))))))! I am so sorry you sustained an injury. The best thing you can do is take care of your body. If you are able to have surgery to repair your knee, perhaps that's the best course of action. On the bright side, at least you can still run, even for short distances. Keep your head up and take time to heal. You shouldn't feel ashamed!

    HUGS!
  • xaMErica
    xaMErica Posts: 284 Member
    I'll send a HUG! =) Don't feel ashamed! *kitten* happens.. and everything happens for a reason. :heart:
  • elleloch
    elleloch Posts: 739 Member
    You're not a failure and please don't feel ashamed! So sorry sweets! ::hugs::
  • Cyclink
    Cyclink Posts: 517 Member
    Almost every competitive athlete I've ever known has hurt themselves and had their athletic future threatened at some point in their lives.

    There's nothing to be ashamed of and you are not a failure. You got injured.

    Do what it takes to fix it, do the rehab, and do everything you can to stop it from happening again. You can do it.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Oh no! that would be so awful why are you ashamed you couldn't help it! I know it makes you sad but look at people who have lost a leg they get back in there! this might put you back at square one but eventually you can do anything you set your mind to. BIG HUG
  • jdelot
    jdelot Posts: 397 Member
    I understand your disappointment, but why are you ashemed and feel like a failure?????
    Get the surgery, get well and treat your body with respect - which means get back into it gradually, otherwise you might NEVER run anywhere again....
    Good luck!

    Definitely agree with this. Injuries happen.
    Sorry you're feeling down, though.
  • supermodelchic
    supermodelchic Posts: 550 Member
    Aww consider yourself hugged. I would get the surgery, recover from it and try something new. Mountain biking, Spinning, there are lot of different things you can do. I use to be a very strong powerlifter, now that I am older , i can't lift as much or even close to what I use to be able to do, sigh I had to let that go and just be happy that I am healthy and can still weightlift..:flowerforyou:
  • Justkeepswimmin
    Justkeepswimmin Posts: 777 Member
    You are not a failure!! Geaush how many of us didn't even get off the couch for years (hence being here). You trained hard, crap happens. Get yourself fixed up!

    You can do it! My hubby had both his legs cut open about 5 months before our first half marathon. It was rough going but you can get through this and be you again :)
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    Get done with surgery, work hard in PT and then get back out there. Know how many people defy the odds and prove the doctors' wrong? Most of the time I think they say the bad things to use as reverse pyschology.

    Just get healed up, and return to running when you can. In the meantime focus on non-impact things you can do that can help keep your aerobic fitness. This isn't the end, just a bump in the road. Remember, doctors are required to give you all out comes, and as humans we always focus on the worst. Just focus on getting better and back out there.
  • riccoismydog
    riccoismydog Posts: 319 Member
    Hugs!!!!

    Don't give up. Running doesn't define you. You define you. Replace it with something you can do without pain. Swim, bike whatever....find a competition that includes something you can do and get out there and do it! Set new goals. Good Luck!
  • pamelak5
    pamelak5 Posts: 327 Member
    You're not a failure and no need to be ashamed. I broke my foot and developed arthritis; the doctor told me I probably wouldn't be able to run or do squats again. I cried in his office. At that point I couldn't even walk without pain and I thought my life had changed forever.

    Fast forward two years, and I ran 3 times last week. At a faster pace than I did pre-injury. I did a lot of physical therapy and worked with a trainer. It's been a lot of work but it's worth it. I'm now gradually increasing my mileage, but also enjoying the shorter runs - more opportunities to improve my speed. I also do squats no problem and am pain free.
  • sozisraw
    sozisraw Posts: 418 Member
    Bad luck to get an injury not a failure! There are hardly any athletes or fitness people who haven't got or had an injury! Get better soon! Look after yourself well, lots of luck for the future!
  • wannabpiper
    wannabpiper Posts: 402 Member
    Big hug to you, Red. Like they're all saying - get the surgery, do the rehab, and get back to what you love. It could be waaay worse - at least there's a fix to it all.
  • redhead1910
    redhead1910 Posts: 304 Member
    Thanks for all the support. Unfortunately with working and going to school full time I can't afford a surgery like that for a few more years at best. :(
  • Jaytee79
    Jaytee79 Posts: 237 Member
    So sorry to hear about this. But you still have your legs and can use them- so you run the shorter distances that you can tolerate and you find another activity that you love and you master it!
  • shawnmaire74
    shawnmaire74 Posts: 66 Member
    (((HUGS))) From one redhead to another. Similar situation happened to my son's girlfriend. She jumps out of airplanes (crazy girl) and hurt her knee with a bad landing. Through physical therapy she is back in shape and running like a star. If there is something keeping you from surgery or PT you can contact a Physical Therapy clinic, explain your situation and a lot of times they will give hand outs of exercices and stretches to do that will help rehabiliate the body part. Good luck and hang in there. Your are definitley not a failure.
  • k8wizzo
    k8wizzo Posts: 33
    Thanks for all the support. Unfortunately with working and going to school full time I can't afford a surgery like that for a few more years at best. :(

    ((hugs)) Do what you can for now. Run the miles that you can to stay fit and work on another sport in between now and when you can afford to do the surgery. If you decide never to do it, know that 4 miles is more than most people can run, ever.
  • KLCZETA
    KLCZETA Posts: 6
    (((Hugs))) Oh wow, so sorry to hear about your injury. No need to be ashamed you set a goal for yourself and trained hard for it. Ashamed, please, I applaud your dedication and sheer perseverance!
  • dorthymcconnel
    dorthymcconnel Posts: 237 Member
    (((hugs)))) You are definitely not a failure! You've done so well. And with the surgery you can run again. Now is the time to take care of yourself in a different way. I know it's disappointing right now, but good will come of this.
  • Carol_
    Carol_ Posts: 469 Member
    I am so sorry. Don't give up..The 'time to run'..will wait.
  • Alison12121
    Alison12121 Posts: 198 Member
    Aww, I'm so sorry. *Hugs* Keeping hanging in there, and just do whatever exercise you can. I know it's hard. (I'm dealing with some knee trouble myself). I hope things work out, and that you can get the surgery sooner than you expect.
  • marcia724
    marcia724 Posts: 180 Member
    It happens to a lot of us. I was trying to simply do a 10k and ended up getting plantar fasciitis after only running about 5 miles regularly. Talk about wimpy! I've had that since last July and am still struggling with it. Who knows if I'll ever run again. There are other things we can do that will kick butt!
  • dogo187
    dogo187 Posts: 376
    hugs to you!

    let me tell you I know just how you feel right now...im sitting here with my ankle taped and braced and waiting for my MRI results...

    broken, torn, sprained or strained something will have to change since this is not the first time this has happened...

    i plan to make swimming my new thing once i get the all clear...

    best of luck and i hope that you can heal quickly...
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    Almost every competitive athlete I've ever known has hurt themselves and had their athletic future threatened at some point in their lives.

    There's nothing to be ashamed of and you are not a failure. You got injured.

    Do what it takes to fix it, do the rehab, and do everything you can to stop it from happening again. You can do it.

    This. You are not a failure.

    And everyone I know who has had surgery on a knee has rehabed and come back stronger than ever. This is just a bump in the road. New goal = full recovery and an ultra :bigsmile:
  • blackcloud13
    blackcloud13 Posts: 654 Member
    I just checked your profile - you're only 19!!

    I understand the disappointment - but you have great spirit and I reckon you have a great future ahead.

    Get the surgery or what ever it takes to help you recover, and work your way back. Not sure if you're a basketball fan, but I've spent the last few days watching Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose (these names will mean nothing to you if you're not an NBA fan) working on getting back from serious injuries (neither back yet - but on their way). I'm sure you can do it too!

    Good Luck!!

    And no, you are not a failure by ANY measure
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    1160497ejeizkzxos.gif

    But...there is no reason for you to feel ashamed; even the greatest athletes get injured. While it doesn't quite compare...I was trained and ready to run a half and hurt myself also (a kitten injury...yes, it's when a kitten zips a 1000 mph between your legs and you almost get knocked off you feet by a 7lb pile of fluff). Anyway, the doctor thought I had a hernia and I missed my race and was "benched" for 3 weeks while waiting to see a surgeon...it turned out to be a pulled groin so I am back to running but you'd be surprised what 3 weeks of rest does to your cardio.

    Can you do the surgery so that you can start training again for a half or full? I would consider it, especially if running is something you love (and I know I seriously do).
  • longtimeterp
    longtimeterp Posts: 614 Member
    i ran my 2nd hm 3 months after knee surgery (which was caused by running my first without slowly increasing my distance)

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