I am training right now and hoping to join in November but just found out i have a stress fracture. has anyone else experienced one of these, and will i be able to get my self up to the level i need to be at for CCT within the next two monts? i cant do any running for fifteen more days! Thanks.

Follow the Doctors advice and take the time off. When you begin training again, increase your running gradually. Several factors influence stress fractures so look at the following:
1) Your shoes-are they worn out? (300-500miles or 6 months old, worn on the bottoms along the heel or where ever your foot strikes)
2) Running Surface-Do you run on roads, concrete or other hard surfaces? Running on roads and unforgiving surfaces greatly increases your chances of stress fractures. If possible, perform half or more of your runs on grass, dirt roads, trails, and other softer surfaces.
3) Mileage- Are your running too much for your body to accept? Depending on your body weight, bone structure, shoes, running surface, shoes and a host of other factors, you may have to limit your mileage. Keep a running log and note how you feel each day. This will help you figure out how much mileage to run each week for max performance while avoiding injury. For most people, 30-50 miles per week is enough but begin much lower.
4) Rapid increase in Milage-The bones in your lower legs need time to adapt to the added stress of running. If you suddenly begin running or rapidly increase how much you run, your body may not have enough time to adapt.
5) A Rule of Thumb: Gradually increase your mileage each week but run VERY LITTLE in the
THIRD WEEK of training as this is when your bones will have the hardest time catching up with the added strain. After the third week, continue to gradually increase your mileage.

The medical minded folks can add more but that's what I know as a runner and coach. MC

Guard MC: Thank you for your advice. I was just cleared by my Doc. to start running again today! I think im going to follow your recommendations with the running on hard surfaces. I was following "The Work Out" posted on this site. Everything besides the running has been going great. Thanks again. Phil

I can vouch for #4 of Guard MC's list. I currently have a tibia fracture from increasing my long runs too drastically training for the AF marathon. As a friend told me, "lots of guts, no brains."

How did you guys know you had stress fractures and how long do they generally side line you from running?

It felt like a typical shin splint, but it started to increase in pain. It got to the point where it was causing me to limp. If you have Galloway's book on running he runs through a list of symptoms of stress fractures. One of the most telling to my doc was that it was a VERY localized pain (no pain with pressure +/- an inch either way). Bone scan confirmed. No running for 6 weeks.

Started running again yesterday. For those that have been through this already... Should I expect some pain in the same area as I start to train again? Thanks.

If you are going to run....Ice massage!!!!
water run, if possible, instead of some road running to maintain correct motion.

You will always have to worry about doing this again. Please be careful and don't get over-zealous. You will probably feel pain there, but also from surrounding muscle and connective tissue as well, as it will try to stabilize the tibia.

Some things that helped me:

1. Increase calcium intake...I take Citri-cal like candy.
2. Ice Massage any twinge of pain asap after a run.
3. Run to get better at running, but use other activities to get/stay in shape as well.
4. Have patience.
5. Strengthen tibia stabilizer muscles. I posted a method in the running forum.

OK... let me clarify. I waited the six weeks per doc's orders. Thanks for the advice JB.

I wanted to say that I am by no means an expert on how to be a good runner. I am a hack at best. I am however, a BTDT in the realm of applying stupididty to motivation...hence Stress Fractures came home to roost a number of years back.

They have been the bain of my existance since then. I can not stress enough to the young ones in here: Don't be Tommy Toughnuts and run in pain.

Legit pain. If it feels like someone just took a ball-peen hammer to your shin or if you can barely walk up or down stairs or you wake up from sleeping because you thought the "Boogie Man" just cracked you across the shin with a 2X4, then you are on your way to real problems. Getting one more run in before XXXXX will not help.

Sorry if you are leaving for INDOC in 2 weeks or BMT in a month or where ever. Benning, Lackland, Jackson, Knox, Parris Island, Bragg etc. have thier aids stations littered with Tommys. They will give you Motrine and maybe a profile. You will become a number. The stats have gone up every year for over 10 years. That is why the Army does not run in boots. That is why the Marines changed combat boots a few years ago. That is why BUD/S went to the Bates Lites and they keep changing the timing of hell week. Tommys mean well, but they may not be physically up to the task. However, more and more kids have been raised in soft cushioned, athletic shoes and in front of the idiot box. When the training gets rigorous lower leg injuries run amuck.

The military is trying many different things from just not running as much in some cases. Applying better sports science in others. Still, altering footwear in others. These injuries cost lots of money to the services and many well intentioned recruits end up back on the street.

The only sure-fire way to get around this if you are one those 1 in 5 people who will suffer from this is to be informed and pay attention. Luckly you have this forum to look to and you have tons of resources on the net to look into. Use your head. By nature if you are interested in Special Tactics you will push yourself without much coaxing...on the flip side you probably not back off without extreme pain to force the issue. That is to late. This is worth doing right, so if you can take your time and be persistant, consistant, and patient. In the long-run you will be a much better runner on a day-in/day-out basis.

Not trying to be negative <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

I would suggest for the shoe part to check out a running store like a Fleet Feet or equivalent. These places can run you on a treadmill while videoing your stride and play it back in slow mo. This is to check if you pronate. Then they can fit you with a proper pair of shoes. I found out that i overpronated (on the video my ankle would roll in everytime my foot hit like it was about to break)and needed a shoe with good support instead of my previous cushioned shoes. That seemed to help alot.