Game over...

The MRI confirmed the obvious, I have a proximal tibial stress fracture. The bottom line is that it has to heal like a regular fracture and it usually takes a minimum of 6 weeks:

- 2 weeks no weight on leg. Using crutches.
- 2 weeks partial weight bearing. Gradually increase weight on leg very slowly and let pain dictate whether to cut back or continue. Might start swimming progressively without kicking.
- 2 weeks progressing to full weight bearing. Might start very easy bike trainer session.
After 6 weeks very easy running if no pain, but more likely water running only for a while...

So, 6 weeks means essentially no training until mid-may, ie. a month before Ironman Coeur d'Alene. Of course it also means a huge loss of fitness. There is no way I can be ready for the race. The IM season is over for me. It is clearly a bummer, I invested a lot this year in training and my fitness was very good. It is tough to get over it right now...

Partial race report:

Oceanside started pretty well. I was in the transition area at 5.40am, saw Paulo, Kevin, Danny and Brian. Everything went fine and I was in the water at 6.57am with the 40-45 wave. The water was much warmer than anticipated and it was a relief. The swim went pretty well, few kicks in the head at the beginning but then I was able to find my rythm and felt good despite some pretty good waves in the mid section of the swim course. I was comfortable the whole time and was a little disapointed by my time (34 minutes) only one minute faster than last year. The bike was great and very controlled thanks to the SRM. It was the first time I raced with a power meter and it was a great tool for me as I usually tend to push to much on the bike. My plan was to stay around 245 Watts with some short periods at treshold (285 Watts) during climbs. The wind was much stronger than last year and everybody was slower. I finished the bike in 2h37 and felt very fresh. I compared my heart rate monitor files and my average HR was 10bps slower than last year. The run started pretty well with few miles at 6'40 pace. Then the pain started to flare up and it was difficult to push with my right leg. I was at the mile 7 marker in 47'30" but had to stop at mile 8. I could barely walk at that point.

Well you know the rest.