A runner training for the Chicago Marathon suffered multiple breaks in her leg after several weeks of worsening shin pain that she initially believed was a recurrence of shin splints.
After completing the London Marathon, she took several weeks off before beginning preparations for another race. She gradually rebuilt her mileage and initially felt strong, but developed shin pain after a pair of four-mile runs. Although the discomfort became severe, she continued monitoring it before reducing her training.
After a month of persistent pain, she visited a doctor. X-rays suggested shin splints, and she was advised to return to running gradually. She had asked whether the injury could instead be a stress fracture because the pain felt unusually intense, but was told her leg appeared to be fine.
Three days later, while attending a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, she turned to greet a friend and felt her leg snap. She was subsequently treated with a rod, a plate and seven screws, and expects to be unable to run for months or possibly longer.
In retrospect, she believes the injury was probably a stress fracture. These injuries can be difficult to identify through X-rays, and she says she experienced several warning signs, including discomfort during activity and pain that became worse as her runs continued.
Her main takeaway is to seek another expert opinion when pain persists or feels different from a familiar running injury. She also plans to include more mobility and strength training in future training cycles as part of a more cautious approach to reducing injury risk.
Sources: Runner's World.