Ouch! When to rest/push through injury.
All of us have experienced that moment during training. The moment where you are pushing as hard as you can, and something pops, cracks, rolls, twists, etc. For most of us there is a quick moment of "oh sh*t" followed by a thorough examination of the area. After that there is usually about 24 hours of debate; to go to the doctor, or to ice and give it rest, that is the question.
For most people it is easy to decide if they need to take some time off from training. Something hurts, makes it so they can't move effectively, and they proceed to rest. The "off days" are usually welcomed with open arms. I however, am part of the small group of masochists that refuse to do things like rest. I have a goal, I have a plan to accomplish that goal, and nothing is going to stop me... except maybe injury.
In recent months I have been experiencing some rib/back/lat pain. It was about 8 months ago that the pain made its first appearance. It started as chronic soreness. At least 5 days a week I would be tender in the same spot. That carried on for about 7 months. Then, roughly 3 weeks ago, it became a lot worse. I woke up one morning after a strongman workout, and could not twist to check my alarm clock. The pain felt like someone was digging a knife in between my ribs. Surely, I must do something to correct this right? wrong.
For the average person this would be a major red flag. That much pain means everything needs to stop. That is the advice that I would give to anyone of my clients. Once your movement pattern is being altered, time to shut it down. Do I take my own advice though? Of course not. I told myself that the race coming up was too important. I would have to find a way to continue training, without continuing to aggravate the area. How silly of me.
Well here I am now, 2 days post-race, sitting in the doctor's office, awaiting x-rays. Currently the pain is bad. Man, I should have taken my own advice. I simply do not like to be told I can't train. Even though that is probably what I need, and what I will be told.
Drum roll please....
Intercostal strain, and surprise surprise, the doctor told me 2 weeks no training. After pleading with her for a few minutes we got it changed to no upper body, or torso twisting. That's not so bad. At least I can continue doing something. To be completely honest, I am not 100% confident with the diagnoses. That being said, it is still nice to have a timeline to work with.
All in all, lesson learned. When it doesn't go away after an adequate amount of recovery, go see someone. Yes, I got to race the event I wanted, but at what cost. I was unable to push as hard as I would have liked, and now my training for my next event is going to suffer. So when injured, take the time to heal. Regardless of what event you have coming up. Now, time to take some of my own advice.
