Can You Run with a Hematoma?

In just 2 short weeks my sister and I will be headed to Disney to participate in the Wine and Dine half marathon. This is the last race on my Run Disney bucket list!

If you've been reading our blog for long, you may remember me mentioning that EVERY Half Marathon I've ever run at Disney I have been injured for. No kidding! I was starting to think that maybe Disney was just not the place for me to be running. It didn't bother me that much though because Disney races are run for fun and entertainment anyway.

Even though I've had a few niggles here and there throughout 2016, there wasn't anything real serious that had me sitting on the sideline for long. I've been feeling pretty strong during my Wine and Dine training. Although I didn't get as many miles in as I wanted to this summer (because of the heat), I still felt good and was in good shape ( no injuries).  I thought FOR SURE Wine and Dine would be the ONE Disney half marathon that I could pull off without injury.

However, as you know I've been struggling with that bruise on my calf. I bought some Arnicare and started seeing the bruise start to fade so I thought perhaps I was on my way to recovery. I felt a knot in the back of my calf the other day and had my PT take a look at it. He confirmed that it was indeed a hematoma and it looked pretty bad.

This is how my PT used Rock Tape to tape my Hematoma to see if it would help during my running.  Take two pieces of tape, cut in the shape of a jelly fish and then criss cross them over the hematoma.


For those of you who don't know what a hematoma is, it is when a blood vessel breaks and blood seeps outside the vessel and pools in one area.  Generally a hematoma isn't cause for concern, but mine is in the worst place possible for a runners.

Of course every time I extend my leg to run, it is painful. What's even worse is that my PT said it could take over a month for it to heal.  SO, in an effort to prevent further damage and promote healing I am taking rest days until race day. I know this isn't ideal seeing that at I've only had 3 long-ish runs. I had one really awesome 8 mile run, a 12 mile walk-run, and most recently a pretty crappy 10 mile run.   Needless to say, I feel like I could just sit down and cry.   So, I'll be off my legs till race day and then I guess I'm just gonna wing it!  -M



We will be linking up with the gals from TOTR.

36 comments:

  1. Oh no!!! You have had the worst luck!!!! I'm so sorry. However, I think you are doing the right thing. You've gotten a few long runs in and your body will remember. You can do it!

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  2. Yikes! I hope the rest pays off. It definitely seems smarter to rest and hopefully let the injury heal up before the race, especially considering you've already gotten in a 12 mile and 10 mile training run.

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  3. It's really a giant bruise! Ouch! You could try a heating pad to speed up the healing.

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  4. Sorry to hear that you're still dealing with the pain. I hope the rest pays off, and that you can PR in fun at Disney!

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    1. It's just a bummer cus I wanted to actually run Disney feeling good!

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  5. I'm sure you'll arrive at the starting line well-rested and healed. And you'll have an excellent race! There, I have spoken. ;)

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  6. wow!! that sounds painful, and awful! I'm sorry you are going through that!

    I think you will be fine, you have done all the training, and taking some time off to heal your calf is better than pushing and making the injury worst.

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  7. i hope you feel fast! ill be at wine and dine as well maybe ill see you there :D

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  8. Good luck! That's how my therapist taped my hip to deal with the bruise he gave me. I wasn't running, but I hope it clears up so you can enjoy your race.

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  9. That's kinda crazy that you've always had an injury for Disney races. This is supposed to be the happiest place on earth... maybe that's always the medicine you need ;)

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    1. I know right! Even if my race doesn't go well at least I know i'll have a good time cus I'm at Disney!

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  10. I developed one after abdominal surgery years ago (I was violently ill due to an allergic reaction to post surgery medication -- which caused a LOT of strain in that area and thus the resulting hematoma). Anyway, I was instructed to keep a heating pad on it 24/7. It's worth a try!

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    1. My PT said it was too late to put a heating pad on it (it's been 2 weeks now), but I actually wrapped one around my calf last night. Hey, I figured it can't hurt.

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  11. I hope it goes ok!!!!! Try some heat and soaking in Epsom salt baths too!

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  12. I hope it heals faster than expected. At least you'll be at Disney and can take advantage of the character stops. Wine and Dine sounds really fun, so I hope the rest of your time there makes up for it. ;) I think you'll be ok since you're doing the smart thing and resting your leg.

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  13. I would totally rest it and hey Disney is a fun race and not for time so just getting to the starting line is your goal! I think I'd even do more research on helping it heal quick. Maybe you body will absorb it at an alarming rate! I'm going to cross my fingers!

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  14. Oh wow. I'm so sorry this has happened. It's crazy how something so seemingly simple as a bruise can be something much worse. Glad you had it looked at and are monitoring it. I hope it's no issue at all for you at Disney.

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  15. Wow! I can't imagine a bruise that's so bad you have to tape it up. Hopefully your body can absorb the blood in time for the race. I've heard so many good things about the Disney Wine & Dine half marathon--- good luck!

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  16. So sorry you're still being affected by it. I can't remember what you did to wack it so badly, but definitely don't do that again, okay:)
    Positive thoughts my friend that you heal quick!
    That's probably the fanciest rock tape job I've ever seen, but hey if it works and lets run then it's worth it! Good luck!

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  17. oh no! hopefully the time off will be just what you need and wine and dine will be great! :)

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  18. Oh no!! Your body will know what to do come race day. Take the time you need to rest and heal and you will be as good as new in no time!

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  19. I am SO sorry; praying it doesn't effect your race. I've been there, done that with different injuries & it sucks.

    Just think food -- food gets me through races!

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  20. I'm so sorry to hear that your bruise turned out to be hematoma. I hope you recover quickly!!

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  21. I can't believe it is the last race on your bucket list! I had a hematoma on my hip and knee after a bad fall while running (I saw that you are using arnica, and I'm a big fan). I was ok, and I hope that the same goes for you!

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  22. Oh Meranda!! I'm so sorry that injury type things keep happening to you before your Disney races! :( I know you'll be fine with resting it up until the race and I hope all goes well! It's interesting how the Rock Tape is used!

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  23. oh no Meranda! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

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  24. oh no Meranda! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

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  25. Oh no! I don't know how I missed this post. I hope you heal up quickly. Sending healing vibes your way.

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  26. ACK! Heal quickly- and have a great race. That's such a bad place for a runner to have this. :(

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