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Ok, so 3 weeks ago, I was doing some (deep) lunges in my combat class and because of my over-flexibility, I overstretched. I pulled a groin muscle. Not a surface muscle, but one of the smaller deep groin muscles underneath all those surface muscles.
I am now 4 and a half weeks out from trekking and it still hasn't healed *cries* Yes, done the heat packs, the Voltaren, the Elmore Oil and little stretches like the 'butterfly stretch'.
I haven't been able to train properly lately because of it and I was planning to use the next to weeks to really up the ante on my training so that I could have the last 2 weeks completely off before I trek Kokoda.
I am now in panic mode stressing out that I am back to square one with my training and worried that all my previous training has now just gone to waste
If anyone has any ideas or advice or even just a kind word to help make me feel better (ice-cream & chocolate don't always do the trick), it would be much appreciated.
fluppy
Oh Fluppy what can I say.
I think you are doing the right thing winding down your training as your trek looms nearer. I personally had a scare about 8 weeks before mine when I felt a twinge in my hamstring whilst playing touch football. I then stopped playing in the lead up and concentrated more on the trekking training. Going out with my trekking partner for hours each Sunday in my full gear including boots, back pack (packed as close as I could to what I was carrying on the Track) and water. This allowed me to fine tune this gear although I still needed to change some things during my trek. As you know from my Trekkers Guide DVD I still suffered with a lot of leg pain on the track (thank goodness for Deep Heat)
We built up our training time and distance each week in an effort to gain stamina and endurance and had the last week off before we flew to New Guinea.On my trek one blokes training buddy did not arrive after damaging a knee at netball 3 weeks out, and a mate of mine ( who walked a year before me) twisted his knee in training 6 weeks out and could not train at all during this time. He made it but said it was a struggle at times!!! So it is a fine line between getting fit and injuring your self.
The training you have done should hold you in good stead, just remember it is not a race and there is plenty of time to finish each day, walk at your pace the porters are brilliant and will help you every step of the way.
For your confidence and piece of mind I hope your injury soon feels better.
Regards MikeIf it was me, I'd be doing longer but less intensive training in the mean time. So go for a long walk as opposed to doing a run. Those little muscles will fix themselves, and so long as you haven't done yourself any lasting damage it will heal up on its own. With regards to pulled muscles, you should ease off on the stretching of the affected muscle and continue with the heat therapy. Go to a physio if you can and get them to massage the damage out (although this is not always possible).
You will be fine! It takes alot longer than 4.5 weeks to lose significant levels of fitness. Keep eating well, maintain a high level of protein intake (this will help repair the muscle if it is damaged) and keep it relaxed but mobile.
In time it will heal, and you will be thankful that you let it!
I would'nt panic.Its not like you'll lose all your fitness overnight.
On the last few weeks before our trek we just did some long slow walks to avoid injury.
You'll be ok.Hi Fluppy,
I agree with both Peter13 and MTV, get yourself to a physio and get your injury properly checked out…you may be putting undue stress and strain on other parts of your body to protect your injury.
Also, I wouldn't worry too much about losing your fitness….especially if you are staying active, even if it isn't as much as what you were doing before, it does take longer than a week or two to lose all of your hard work.
Lou
Thanks everyone. I went to my GP today who also specialises in sports-related injuries as well as alternative therapies.
He did an ultrasound on my thigh and will continue to do some ultrasound therapy for a few sessions (next session again in two days) to help speed up the recovery process.
Also he suggested something that had me a bit confused for a bit. Ice. Now usually for any injury, it is ice within the first 48 hours of the injury and anytime thereafter (3 weeks after initial injury in my case), heat packs.
When I asked why the ice so long after my initial injury, he said because it is a torn/pulled muscle, it still has quite a bit of swelling underneath, so ice is the go in this case.
Meanwhile, hubby has done something to his back picking up his 2 year old nephew and we have an all day walk at Mt Barney this weekend. Fine injured pair we make. Doing well aren't we?!
you'll be able to lean against each other the whole way.
It could be worse,,,,umm,,err,,no,maybe it could'nt.
Still working on this – groin injury has almost healed (albeit moving further up into my hip *groans* )
Anyway, 3 weeks out from trekking and guess who has developed a corn on her little toe (looks like a pus-filled blister, but it's not – had it checked).
[attachment=8626:Corn.jpg]
So what to do now and what to do if I get another one whilst trekking?
I am tempted to just cut the darn thing off myself (as I did as a child), but have been since told that this will not fix the problem.
fluppy
Corn.jpgI'd be seeing a chiropodist and getting a specialists opinion on your corn. My dad used to slice them off with a razor blade (oh god) .
Ask him for a quick fix that will get you out of trouble for a short time while you are in PNG.
Maybe my dad could come over with his razor blade !!!!!I still have nightmares about my old man hacking at his corns with his razor blades.
Ive never had a corn, but if I did I think I'd see a Dr rather than self mutilate,haha.Haha! I will never look at a razor blade in the same way again!
Oh, and thanks for the PM. Your encouragement comes at impeccable timing
Hi Fluppy,
My first post – so please excuse any technical glitches (user error!).My hubby and I returned to Adelaide from a successful Kokoda Trek on the day of your Injury Freak Out post and our own story may provide some encouragement.
We're mature aged experienced trekkers and have walked extensively within Australia as well as overseas, usually do all our own research and planning and are self-supported. Hubby had walked Kokoda in 1996 and was keen to return and very keen to have me come along. I wilt in heat and humidity but we spent a week in Cairns walking and acclimatising and this really helped. THANKS to all the posts on places to walk in Cairns!
Anyway, here is a list of the 'hiccups' during the last 5 weeks of our preparation leading up to our trip:
- twisted ankle and flare-up of knee problem (Me)
- metatarsalgia (Hubby)
- sinusitis x 2 and 3 courses of antibiotics (Me)
- mystery 4 week virus that caused total fatigue and night sweats (Hubby)
- car accident (seconds after I had heard the news on the radio of the PNG plane crash)
- re-occurrence of chronic back problem (Hubby)
- having to organise finances for my retirement due 6 days after our return (ME!!
)
plus several other minor issues too trivial to mention….
We went, we walked – successfully but perhaps not as easily or elegantly as we usually do. I put that down to walking with a group and being conscious of not holding anyone up so not always walking at our own pace, not to mention the heat and humidity.
Hang in there Fluppy – you DO keep your fitness and, like us, your main challenge for Kokoda will have been just getting there in the first place.
Stay focused and have the time of your life!
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