A Runner Again

A little over a year ago, after reading Born to Run and finding Eric's site, I changed my whole running style and began to enjoy running even more than I ever had. I found that I was faster on the trails, more nimble and grinning wickedly through even my longest runs. Then on April 1, two days after my 38th birthday where I wished for "good knees", I was playing indoor soccer and went up for a header. Another player hit me in the side of the head with his head and the collision sent me down all on my right leg which was completely straight. When I hit the ground, my femur drove down into my tibia, shattering the top and splitting it like a piece of wood. The pain was immense, and I knew I was in trouble.

What followed was of course surgery, with several screws, and a lot of reconstruction. My doctor told me I wouldn't be putting any weight on my leg for at least 3 months. But he wanted me to go to physical therapy starting 2 weeks after surgery to work on keeping as much muscle as I could. I crutched into the PT's office and for the first time knew I was going to be OK. My PT walks up wearing her VFF's and we started talking about running, mid-foot strike, etc. She knew where I wanted to be and how difficult it is to go from an active life to barely moving.

PT has been tough and she has constantly thrown new things at me (many straight out of Eric's exercises) but I could always see where she was trying to get me. Last week she put me on the treadmill and told me the only reason I can start running is because I use a mid-foot strike which delivers less shock to my bones. It wasn't pretty, or fast, or long, but I ran for the first time in almost 4 months. It was an amazing feeling. I have such a long way to go to fully recover, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. I am a runner again.

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Comments

martin klein October 22, 2010 at 1:04pm

Jonathan
Just read your unfortunate story. How are you getting along? I really empathize - the first line of your post could have been written by me as well. Reading 'Born to Run' has given my running new meaning and direction after many years, as I am sure to many of us (on this site).
I hope you are making a good recovery - wishing you well.
Martin
Mark Lofquist July 26, 2010 at 2:39pm

oh my god ,what a terrible accident. sorry 'bout that dude. sounds like you're rapidly down the road to recovery though!

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