I am a high school cross country runner. I've had pain in my outer fibula for quite a while and when I went to the doctors, he said that I had a stress reaction in my fibula and that rest would be the best option. However, I've been doing workouts and it doesn't hurt too much when I do them, and it only hurts when I'm doing slow jogging or if I have to start and stop workouts. I have three races left (each on a Saturday). Can I continue racing and then rest for a long time?
Have you told your coach about your pain and, more importantly, the diagnosis? You must keep your coach apprised. Your coach will tell you what we will tell you -- don't run, you need to heal.
If your coach doesn't say not to run, btw, that's a coach who either doesn't understand the injury (and needs to be educated) or doesn't prioritize your long-term health (which is worrisome).
No you can not run on this injury. Your season is over. If you run you will prolong the healing time.
Here's what a race would look like. Mile one, dam that mile was only the speed I'd run for a typical easy pace run, but I can pick it up now. Mile 2, I'm over a minute below easy pace, I don't know if I can even finish, I'm dead last on my team, but at least I'm ahead of the fat girls and the girls with not enough endurance to not walk. Mile 3, the walkers are passing me, if I give a good effort I can probably finish the last mile in under 10 minutes, not scoring for the team, and setting my healing back for over a month.
It won't help your team, its not worth it. Be responsible and tell your coach you're injured. Missing the end of xc isn't the end of he world. Focus on xtraining in the pool or something and come back and have a stellar end to indoor.
Stop running now.
I ran a world champs on a relatively minor tibia stress fracture and it hurt. I had to cross train for the weeks leading up to it and hope for the best. I ran like shit, and I was still injured months after.
Who cares about a high school race. Sit out and let it heal, then you will be ready to let it rip next season. If your coaches truly care about your development, they would pull the plug on your season ASAP.
wow, everyone here is over reacting.
yes, you can finish the season. if you are smart.
cross training only through the rest of the season. at least 100% cross training this week. the next two, you can run workout days only, warmup/cooldown on the bike or elliptical. then rip it your last few races. the fibula is only 10% weight bearing. a few more weeks of minimal running is not going to make it worse.
after the season is over, you need to take 4 weeks off. no running, no cross training. wear supportive shoes around all day every day these upcoming weeks too, no heels or flats. wear your running shoes. no, a walking boot won't help for this particular bone and crutches are unnecessary since its only 10% weight bearing.
don't foam roll on it, but you can use the stick. ice and ibuprofen.
when you are cross training, cross train your little butt off. get your HR up high. don't lose all the fitness you worked so hard for. you just need to bike or elliptical or swim. cross training should "feel like a workout" every day and should not be taken lightly. do at least 60 minutes, and try to get 90 minutes about twice a week.
literally just got told i have a fibular stress fracture but my sports doc recommended the above to finish the last two weeks of my season. good luck.
NO ONE IS OVERREACTING!
youareoverreacting's DOCTOR TOLD THEM WHAT THEY COULD DO WITH THEIR INJURY, HER DOCTOR SAID REST. LISTENING TO PEOPLE ON WEB SITES WHO TELL YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR IS DANGEROUS!
THAT MEANS CALL UP YOUR DOCTOR and see what they say about youareoverreacting's suggestion.
I had a stress fracture in my tibia. I didn't want to rest until after my season and thought a couple more weeks wouldn't hurt. My tibia ended up fracturing during a race. If I would have listened to my doctor that wouldn't have happened. Don't keep running unless you want to potentially get a full fracture.