Have to criticize Dathan for having her overtrain to the extent that happened.
However, have to give credit to Dathan for bringing Alicia back cautiously, yet with enough intensity to get her in 15-flat shape. Delicate balancing act; worked well so far.
Is it clear this was an overuse injury? she had torn her ACL in the same knee in high school, according to Ritz's IG post today.
Honestly I don’t see how any knee ligament injury could be due to overuse for a distance runner unless their gait was all kinds of messed up, which Monson’s wasn’t. The amount of lateral motion in the knee that a pro runner experiences while training has got to be pretty minimal, which leads me to believe this was, like most knee injuries across sports, more of a freak occurrence than anything else.
Honestly I don’t see how any knee ligament injury could be due to overuse for a distance runner unless their gait was all kinds of messed up, which Monson’s wasn’t.
I wouldn't describe her gait as "all kinds of messed up" but it is awkward. She has excessive inward rotation of her femur, similar to, but not nearly as pronounced, as Connor Mantz. I don't know the details of where the tear was, but that inward rotation certainly could have caused unusual stress and damage over time.
Your world implies everyone is guilty of doping or can be accused it it. This was one of the Key advantages of the Track&Field News' Discussion board - speculation that invades most LR threads was simply banned. Actual cases were not.
Honestly I don’t see how any knee ligament injury could be due to overuse for a distance runner unless their gait was all kinds of messed up, which Monson’s wasn’t.
I wouldn't describe her gait as "all kinds of messed up" but it is awkward. She has excessive inward rotation of her femur, similar to, but not nearly as pronounced, as Connor Mantz. I don't know the details of where the tear was, but that inward rotation certainly could have caused unusual stress and damage over time.
Following below is Alicia's account of what happened last year -- soon after The TEN where she had to drop out due to a stomach ailment.
Per what she wrote, there was no stepping in a hole or landing awkwardly. The "pop" just happened while out on a run. And tore her meniscus completely away from the bone -- which is why Ritz mentioned this was the worst injury possible for a runner.
Overtraining? Weak knee from prior ACL surgery? Excessive inward rotation? All of the above?
We can't know.
However, at this point it doesn't matter.
Presuming now, that knee is stronger than ever.
And, upon further reflection of her 15:01, a fantastic return.
Very much expecting Alicia to go right to the front and chase her 14:50 Q on Aug 3rd, hoping she'll have enough fitness to burn off almost everyone else and make the podium.
Instagram story that Dathan posted seems to suggest she’s preparing to race in Rabat. I don’t see anything on the meet program longer than 1500. Anybody know what she’s racing?
Instagram story that Dathan posted seems to suggest she’s preparing to race in Rabat. I don’t see anything on the meet program longer than 1500. Anybody know what she’s racing?
Ah nvm it’s Sage running in Rabat
Rooting for Alicia’s comeback
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It would be a shame if she isn’t able to return to her previous fitness level. Kind of reminds me of Lisa Uhl (Koll) who had a relatively short pro career that was sidelined by injuries. Alicia has faster times and came close to winning a Diamond League event.