Well it's now been 3months since I sustained a stress fracture in my pelvis. So many races missed, so many days where I've felt rock bottom, so many times I've questioned myself whether or not giving up my job has been the right decision. On good days, I know it has been......
So really all I can blog about, training wise, is that I've been swimming a LOT and after 5 weeks got back on the bike and have been doing some rather big kms. The enforced swimming block has been a blessing in disguise as this has always been my Achilles heel. The biggest thing that has happened though is my return to running. However so slow, I have been building it up over the last 3 weeks and cannot believe how hard it is to start from scratch. Although I'm trying to see the positives; like this being the perfect time to work on my some-what unusual running technique (I’ve seen the photos and footage and it's not pretty!).
This is my second stress fracture I’ve had since starting triathlon in 2007- in 2008 I had the same pelvic stress fracture but on the other side (at time a physio told me it WASN’T as stress fracture and that I’d be ok to race on it, so I did…. Not smart!). My recommendation as an athlete AND a physio is no-one knows your body better than you so if in doubt just go and get a bone scan (CT won’t show it, MRI might not even show it either, bone scan will!), the sooner the better to know what you are dealing with.
Putting this aside I feel it's important to touch on the reason why I broke so easily. I recently read Terenzo Bozzone's blog about his Achilles injury and knowing when to stop, which we are all guilty of NOT doing. However if we stopped every time we felt a niggle, we'd never finish a session! Prevention is far better than recovery or cure. For young women competing at an elite level the female triad can be a triage of symptoms that can manifest into multiple much more serious conditions and/or complications. The 3 conditions that make up the triad can differ in severity. These are:
- Eating disorder/ low energy available (energy imbalances of those consumed and expended; can include calorie restriction, abnormal body image, high drive for thinness)
- Menstrual disturbances/ Amenorrhea (no menstrual period for more than 3 months)
- Low Bone density/ Osteoporosis (weakened bones increasing susceptibility to fractures)
Amenorrhea can seem somewhat beneficial to an athlete’s life- not dealing with PMS and 'that time of the month' during travelling/ racing and training but this is one of the reasons leading to the low bone density/ osteoporosis. Oestrogen is one of the most important hormones required to take up calcium and vitamin D in order to lay done bones. So if it's not there in the adequate amounts, then this won't happen- so is it really worth having recurrent stress fractures or more frightening 75 year old bones at 40, falling over and fracturing a hip?
It’s a hard one though…. My recommendation to any osteoporotic patient is always to partake in weight bearing activity as this stimulates bone lay down, such as walking. As a triathlete we run, this is weight bearing activity…..damned if you do, damned if you don’t!!!
All triad symptoms are cause by an energy deficient or dietary problem. This issue needs to be addressed first in order to improve your energy balance. If this isn’t the issue, amenorrhea can also be caused by other issues such as a tumour, polycystic ovarian syndrome or even a thyroid problem. Being told by a doctor- “your cycle will return to normal when you stop training/ exercising” is not good enough nor do I think just putting a young female athlete on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the answer either (knowing its effect on the liver leading to unavoidable weight gain and the long term risks of cancer after prolonged use). You need to find a doctor that will investigate your symptoms fully. Run full bloods: hormone investigation, cortisol levels and check your thyroid function and then individually treat YOUR symptoms and imbalances. And if it is due to a hormone imbalance. there are other options out there rather than HRT or being prescribed the pill (these are all synthetic!), such as bio-identical hormones. These are made from natural substances (such as soy bean or wild yam) and have a molecular structure identical to the body’s own hormones.
Want to know more: http://www.custommedicine.com.au/womens-health/
I have never had a problem with food. Those who know me best are full aware of my detrimental sweet tooth and if you’ve ever seen me at a buffet breakfast at a race there are no signs of an eating disorder! In saying this, I am careful about what I eat. I do love my fresh fruit and vegies and having grown up on a beef production property, love my red meat. Food is all about balance. However if you can’t enjoy the small things like the occasional McFlurry ice-cream, Cadbury bar (whilst training of course!) or cheesecake, life isn’t worth living!
And back to me and my beloved triathlon. When something you love is taken away from you, you realise just how much it means to you. I am more determined than ever to come back to the sport fitter, stronger, faster and more focused to achieve my goals. Unfortunately it might just take a little longer to get there than first anticipated.
Be safe, look after your bodies and eat some yummy food J
Rachie xo
