stress fracture

A few years ago, I had a similar situation.  I had just run three miles or so, at a pretty good clip.  Once i got home and cooled off, I developed some substantial pain in my left foot.  The pain was not constant, only when I walked on it.  After several days of waiting the pain never subsided, it only got worse.  I saw an orthopedist=stress fracture=6 weeks in a walking boot. 

Hope your luck is better than mine.

Ohhh. I've had stress fractures, one in the right tibia, then when that healed, got one in my left foot (third metatarsal), then that healed after wearing the pretty (NOT!) boot, then one in the right foot!

For me, the foot stress fracture only hurt when I was standing/walking.  I could definitely pinpoint a tender spot on the metatarsal (although to begin with the pain was more general and once I started resting it I could pinpoint exactly where it was). Hopefully you won't have one, the first stress fracture in the foot, I went to the dr. and they xrayed it and could see it (which isn't usually the case, often the stress fracture won't be visible on an xray until a few weeks later as it starts to heal).

Good luck!

xrays negative at ortho, but apparently that doesnt mean much for a stress fracture as xrays may only show when healing.  Ortho thinks its juts a strain, but then again, he seemed to treat me as if i was some old man and told me to stay off it.  I mention I'm training for ironman and he just looks at me.  Bringing the images to a sports podiatrist who is also a marathoner and triathlete tomorrow AM.  Iced all night and today and swelling is pretty severe in 2nd and 3rd metatarsal area just below toes.  I cannot bear weight on the foot.  Sound familar?

Coach thinks i may be able to cycle and swim, but all rests on opinion of podiatrist tomorrow.

saw the podiatrist today.  they confirmed with 90% certianty from the x-ray that i have stress fractures of 2nd and 3rd metatarsals.  6-8 weeks in the boot.  getting an MRI tuesday and one of the drs. at the practiice is a triathlete who will take over case and recommend training adaptations.  Obviously, I wont be running, but likely swimming more with no wall pushoff, and they expect i can begin cycling sooner rather than later (but no word yet on when).

That said, does anyone recommend how to keep some cardio fitness (in addition to swimming) in the meantime?  i was thinking of getting a heavy bag and do some stationary boxing...how did you manage this once your injury was confirmed?

i forgot to mention I have also been using an elptical type trainer that is anti gravity like, hard to describe.... this makes it less borign that a running pool workout because they have tv's set up in front at my 24 hour fitness club

Get yourself an aqua jogger belt and get to running in the pool.  I had to do this in college when I had stress fractures in my foot.  I think the rule is you can maintain fitness for 5-6 weeks in the pool.  Good tips:

1) Heart rate when aqua jogging can be 10bpm less then when running, but your RPE is going to be much higher in the pool than on land.  Its best to do intervals in the pool rather than just running for time to keep your heart rate up and maintain fitness. 

2) Be careful as you get to the shallow end to not let your feet hit the bottom (not good for the bad leg/foot)

3) Work on turnover and make sure you stretch your hamstrings.  Your stride in the pool is going to be a little shorter.

Good luck, hope you heal fast.  When you do get the Ok to run again, make sure you transition easy from water to land so you dont injure it again.