My Sacral Stress Fracture [1 Year Later]
December 18, 2011 § 16 Comments
A few weeks ago I had to write a paper for my Religion class on various past experiences I’ve had that have made an impact on my life. I wrote about different things ranging from my First Holy Communion to family vacations, but one experience really stuck out in my mind…
This time, last year, it was the first week of the Winter Track season. I did a good job of staying in shape after Cross Country so the practices weren’t that hard, yet everyday I would come home and have a sharp pain in my lower back. It was my first real injury so I didn’t know what to do. So I just pushed through it. 
Eventually the pain became too much. Saturday morning, five days into the season, I was on a road run with the team and it got to the point where I, literally, couldn’t take another step. It sucked.
My coach had to find me and take me back to school where I met with the athletic trainer. This might sound a little dramatic, but I consider that “the beginning of the end.” The trainer realized that something obviously wasn’t right with my back and suggested that I go to an orthopedic doctor. 
My parents wasted no time and after 2 x-rays, an MRI, and a bone density test it was official. I had a sacral stress fracture. And for the first time since I started running, 6 months earlier, I had to take a break from running. 
I didn’t think taking 3 months off from running would be that difficult. Less than a week prior to the diagnosis I was complaining about running 800 meter sprints and now there was nothing I wanted to do more. It was weird. I had become so attached to running in such a short period of time. It had become a part of my life that I just wasn’t willing to give up.
Ultimately, I knew that I had to take the time off in order to heal. But once I was fully healed I took the first chance I got to run. Obviously.
Although it was terrible at the time, in hindsight I look at my stress fracture as a blessing in disguise. It made me realize that my love for running isn’t just a “phase” or something I do because I have to. It made me realize that running is one of my true passions and that I really can’t live without it. 
I love this post!! I know exactly how it feels! Especially with the sacral stress fracture… ugh. Weirdest place ever. I have to explain to people what that is! While I only had to take a little over a month off, that month was extremely difficult. The passion only intensifies! That’s how I know I’m meant to be a runner. I’m glad you’re back in action now!! I can totally see how it can be viewed as a blessing in disguise. I feel the same way! I wouldn’t wish being injured upon anyone, but there are definitely some great lessons you can take from it.
It’s pretty awesome that you are able to look at the situation with a positive attitude–most adults aren’t even able to do that! Like Tara said, it’s a great lesson to learn in a less-than-desirable way.
Sorry you had to deal with that- that would be so tough. Thankfully, I’ve never dealt with a serious injury… I can only imagine how tough it would be!
Lovely written post. How is your stress fracture now? Are you back to running? Take Care
Thank you, Bam. Yes, I have been running without problem (knock on wood) since the stress fracture.
Great to hear that your back is better. I can’t even imagine. Though it wasn’t a fun way to discover your passion for running, I’m glad you did!
Such an honest and well written post. Glad that your back is so much more better
I love how you tied this into a paper for your class
I am so glad that your fracture healed! Mine has been bothering me for the past 7 years. But mine was a fracture from falling. I hope it does not bother you much anymore!
I’m sorry to hear that your fracture still bothers you! Thankfully, mine is fine 95% of the time and only acts up when my mileage increases.
How did you deal with it? Were you on medications or anything? I have been on so many medications and they are now thinking about getting me the spinal cord stimulator. But I also have a large deformity.
It wasn’t bad enough that I needed meds and it only really acted up while running and after running. So I had to stop running (and exercising altogether) for a few months. Hope the pain goes away for you!
[...] function goOffer(myForm, offerid) { myForm.elements["OfferListingId.1"].value = offerid; myForm.action = "http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html"; } function goCJ(offerid) { window.open(offerid); } Q&A: Should I start running again as my stress fracture doesnt hurt anymoreHealth Tip: Let a Stress Fracture Heal Health Care AnalyticsMetatarsal Stress Fracture*anything I can do to begin healing a stress fracture on my foot before my doctor appointment a week from nowOvercoming stress fracturesStress FractureMy Sacral Stress Fracture [1 Year Later] [...]
[...] intensifies. That’s how I know I’m meant to be a runner. I’m glad you’re Back in action now.. I can totally see how it can be viewed as a blessing in disguise. I feel the same [...]
I had a stress fracture in the same place 4 months ago! i know exactly how you felt! i would watch my cross country team run and envy them. it was horrible! I am slowly coming back hopefully it will not act up again!
p.s I love your blog!
-Meredith McClani
How does running fracture your back?? so strange and sounds awful!!