Asphalt Junkies Spring 2013 - Closed (Page 11)

michgirlsk - 2012-12-27 9:34 PM Okay, I really cringe to type this out because it emotionally pains me (I'm kidding... kind of...) but I officially have an issue with my elbow which will affect my swim volume.  I don't understand, but it's getting worse!  I know it initially was caused by the swim because I felt it now and then with a stroke here and there, and when I would be conscious of my stroke and keep my arm a certain way I didn't feel the elbow.  Last time I swam was Saturday.  Today, it is the worst it's ever been.  I think I made it worse with my self-treatment.  It literally is at the point of severe discomfort now, approaching pain.  And I can feel it with each letter I type, assuming because I'm using the extensors/flexors of the forearm or something. (I should know anatomy better than I do.)  I type a lot during the day, so I wonder if this has something to do with it getting worse. (Hey maybe it's not just from my poor self-treatment!)  And from googling, this is precisely what I think happened: "Swimmers who try to pick up speed by powering their arm through the water can also strain the flexor tendon at the elbow."  Oh, and Warren, from further googling, I think it's golfer's elbow I have, not tennis elbow which I mentioned to you.  Either way, elbow irritation!  This seriously upsets me...

I had golfers elbow last year and for me it came from trying to do too much too fast...too fast (if that makes sense). I didn't let it heal and just tried to swim through it and it ended up really messing my swimming up for the year.  I would HIGHLY recommend letting it heal compeltely.  Its still offseason, theres no need to create a chronic season long injury.  When you get back to swimming start slow and lower yardage.  I spent a good part of my swim training this year with short workouts and tons of drills, actually made me a much better swimmer in the long run.

michgirlsk - 2012-12-27 10:34 PM Okay, I really cringe to type this out because it emotionally pains me (I'm kidding... kind of...) but I officially have an issue with my elbow which will affect my swim volume.  I don't understand, but it's getting worse!  I know it initially was caused by the swim because I felt it now and then with a stroke here and there, and when I would be conscious of my stroke and keep my arm a certain way I didn't feel the elbow.  Last time I swam was Saturday.  Today, it is the worst it's ever been.  I think I made it worse with my self-treatment.  It literally is at the point of severe discomfort now, approaching pain.  And I can feel it with each letter I type, assuming because I'm using the extensors/flexors of the forearm or something. (I should know anatomy better than I do.)  I type a lot during the day, so I wonder if this has something to do with it getting worse. (Hey maybe it's not just from my poor self-treatment!)  And from googling, this is precisely what I think happened: "Swimmers who try to pick up speed by powering their arm through the water can also strain the flexor tendon at the elbow."  Oh, and Warren, from further googling, I think it's golfer's elbow I have, not tennis elbow which I mentioned to you.  Either way, elbow irritation!  This seriously upsets me...

Samantha I'm sorry to hear about the problem with your elbow. I'm no expert but I agree with David I don't think I would be swimming through it at this point. I would probably rest it and see if it gets better if not then I'd go get it checked out. No reason to push it now.

Need some training advice over the next two weeks-

I am flying out to California on 12.30.12 - 1.9.2013. I am supposed to run a HM on 1.1.2013. Other than that, I am not sure if I will be able to get much training in, except for the hand to mouth kind as I eat my way through  the 9 days that I am there. I hate the idea of not being able to swim/bike or hit the gym for those 9 days. Here's how the next 2 weeks looks:

Fri (12.28) - 3 or 4 mile run

Sat (12.29) - 1500 yd easy swim + 70 min. bike

Sun (12.30) - No workout, unless you count trying to clean and pack while a 2 yr old and 4 yr old are bouncing off the walls.

Mon (12.31) - Travel Day

Tues (1.1) - Half Marathon (13.1 mile run)

Wed (1.2) -

Thurs (1.3) - Snowboarding (maybe) 

Fri (1.4) -

Sat (1.5) -

Sun (1.6) -

Mon (1.7) -

Tues (1.8) -

Wed (1.9) - Travel Day

Thurs (1.10) -

Anyone have any ideas on how to fill the gaps in my schedule? I will not have a bike and there is a slight possibility I will find a pool (maybe get 1 or 2 workouts in). My 2 year old and 4 year old will be with me most of the time I am in Cali.

I am nursing a tightened IT Band, so I do need to be careful to not overdo the running. Any input and ideas are appreciated! And, if anyone says just enjoy the 9 days off and relax... I must reply to you that getting in my workout will be the relaxing part of the vacation.

Jo, so glad you updated us.  When I was in a similar role for my family, I found it very useful to bring a notebook with prepared questions since we always seemed to forget something important.  It was also nice to have notes and comments and such from the doctor.  It is true that what is "normal" for someone who sees this everyday is not at all for the rest of us.  The comfort comes in knowing they have a handle on what is going on and have dealt with it enough times to understand the options.  Docs are often reticent to give advice, preferring to present options and letting you decide.  This is probably a fine tack, but I would sometimes ask the doctor "What would you do if this was YOUR father?".  Stay strong and prayers are with you.

I'd say if you are actually hungry so shortly after eating, you are definitely not taking in enough calories for breakfast.  Experiment a little and see what works for you.

Sorry to hear about the car, hopefully just car injuries and nothing human related.

Great goals, and though I broke this one myself, sometimes time goals can be tricky.  Let's say on the day of your HIM the wind is howling or it's really hot.  A 7:45 on that kind of day is very different than a 7:45 under perfect conditions.  I'm not trying to dissuade you from hitting these goals, but be realistic in assessing yourself based on race day conditions and good luck!

michgirlsk - 2012-12-27 10:34 PM And from googling, this is precisely what I think happened: "Swimmers who try to pick up speed by powering their arm through the water can also strain the flexor tendon at the elbow."  Oh, and Warren, from further googling, I think it's golfer's elbow I have, not tennis elbow which I mentioned to you.  Either way, elbow irritation!  This seriously upsets me...

You probably got this from the google search, but if the pain is on the inside it's called golfer's elbow, on outside it's tennis elbow.  Either way, it's elbow tendinopathy and the treatments are similar.  The strengthening exercises are a little different since you want to strengthen the inside rotation as opposed to the outside rotation, but only do those after the acute injury is gone and it doesn't hurt anymore.

I couldn't agree more with David as I told you in the IM - this is one injury you can't "battle" through the pain.  I'm not saying to stop all activity, but if it hurts that tendon, don't do it.  And you're right about the swimming technique issue.  Pulling down and through with lots of force, especially without a high elbow, is a big cause for elbow/tendon issues.  I would still like to see you go see a sports specialist just to have a professional look at it.

As far as typing, I wore a wrist brace similar to the ones used for carpal tunnel.  It helped typing, and I think it also reminded me not to use the twisting motion which enabled faster recovery since I wasn't constantly tweaking it.

Morning Junkies! Hope everybody is doing well. I got to take the day off work and finally got around to doing all my household chores. Running has been progressing smoothly and the knee seems to be holding up. Swimming not so much - I'm taking lessons starting next week and I should have more concrete feedback and a video to share. And I just signed up for trainerroad which makes me excited and nervous at the same time

JoAnne - Hope everything goes well for Margie. My prayers are with her and your family.

Samantha - I will also reiterate what has already been said. Please don't put too much stress on that elbow right now. I went through a similar issue playing tennis and I learnt it the hard way. Took me 2-3 weeks to get back to being pain free and I used a brace.

Tony - Regarding your post on weight training, I would think you should be back to normal in 3-4 weeks? The first week or two would easily be the toughest even if you are out for 2 months and then you should start "feeling the pump". Had to throw in the pumping iron reference! 

One other thing that has worked for me even when doing mostly upper body is to throw in a few sets of body weight squats. May be this was just a case of me coming back from surgery and feeling a big impact - but it really helped me on the bike.

David, I am totally leaning towards taking a break from swimming altogether. I see the bright side as being it will give me time to work on my weak biking...   You may have mentioned this before, but is your elbow completely healed now?  My worry is that I will still be feeling after effects months from now (or forever!) So in that sense, Bhargav, 2-3 weeks sounds very good to me!

Last night was the worst it's been at. My left elbow was literally throbbing even though I was doing absolutely nothing. (as in, laying in bed!)  Today my left elbow is better, but now my right elbow is getting worse..... (wasn't having major problems with the right elbow yesterday.)  I honestly cannot help but laugh.... I think perhaps it can be atrributed to using my right arm for everything to avoid using my left arm.  I did purchase an elbow support thing.

To make matters, um, more funny.... I have pretty much lost my voice!!!  Several times today I have literally been talking to someone and no sound comes out!

I found a good elbow brace to use all the time and that helped.  Initially after i tried to swim with it, my opposite shoulder started having issues.  I think it was because i was altering my form which can stress other parts of your body and present in other places. This could be your issue.  I literally took a month or two off from swimming and eased myself back into it before my ironman pain free.

Bhargav thanks and I think the approriate term for me would be "bending rods" since all my ST has been on the bowflex but I do like it! Funny thing was after the workout I wasn't really sore so I though wow maybe I didn't workout out with enough resistance but when I woke up this morning I was glad I didn't use more resistance! Man I was sore. Good luck with your swimming lessons they will definitely help and get you going in the right direction.

Jen since you are going out to do the HM you may actually want to take a few days off to rest and recovery from that. I would say if you can scope out the area before hand maybe you can find a gym or a pool where you can swim and/or ride the exercise bike some. They would both be good for the recovery from the HM. I'm sure you can get a little running in if you feel up to it as well but make sure you take a few days to recover. Good luck with the HM and have safe trip and let us know if we can track you for the race.

You have no idea how happy I am to read that you did your ironman pain free!  I was seriously starting to think this may be it for me!

You'll be back in the game before you know it if you let it heal.  The key is to let it heal completely. I am also able to tri completely pain free at this point.

When I say hockey is a no-go, that's a VERY wrist intensive sport, and I could probably play for fun but it's hard to turn off years of being too competitive on the ice.

Samantha, good luck with that elbow. A couple of things I've learned is keep a positive attitude during injury and be patient. I have never regretted taking a little extra time to rest an injury but I have definitely regretted trying to rush the healing process.

Thanks for all the cooking suggestions! 3 eggs compared to the one I eat - no wonder I am starving in an hour.

Jenn good luck at your HM and finding a way to fit in some exercise on your trip. I've had my share of days where I have to try to juggle the kids and my workouts. This spring I packed up the jogging stroller and headed to the nature trail with the kids(mine are 4 & 6). I wound up pushing both of them, my daughter sat on my sons lap, and I still tried to run a little. Run or not, that was a tough workout!

I was on the trainer today and I realized that I had to get around to buying a fan asap. I'm not a profuse sweater but today left me all hot and light headed. Not sure why I have been postponing this for a while now. Are there any specific brands that are popular and work well for you or will I be just fine finding a floor/pedestal fan on amazon?

Tony & Warren-

Thanks for the input. I have been looking for a local YMCA as well as a lcal gym - I might even try to use my uncle's membership and be a guest. We will see. We are staying with family and it looks like my dad has a list of chores for my husband and I to do - so we may be getting in workouts anyway.

The race is very small and I will let the Junkies know how I do.

Good luck Jen, and definitely waiting for the results.  Also, do a race report.  They can be very valuable for checking later and evaluating how things went, as well as letting us really experience the race with you.

As far as a fan on the trainer, it's very important.  Even though it can feel like you're working harder since you're sweating so much, it's actually detrimental from a training standpoint.  Since your core temperature is so high, you are not able to push your legs as hard as they should be pushed to get the maximum benefit.

Jeff posted some info a while back that mentioned cooling your head is actually all you really need to do, so even a small fan on your head goes a long way to keeping you cool enough to work harder.  I have a cheap air mover floor fan that does a good job at home, and I bring a clip on battery fan when I ride at work on the stationary or spin bikes.  Yeah, people look at me funny, but when you're 50 and wear spandex in public nothing bothers you anymore!