Better Safe then Sorry

This is my first blog post of 2013, so for all you regular blog readers checking in, I wish you a happy new year.  2012 was a great year for me in my triathlon racing, and now that it is over, it is time to plan for a even better 2013.  As of my last blog post, I was still waiting for the results from my MRI.  I met with the doctor this past tuesday to discuss the results.  Our discussion started out with her giving me a funny look, asking me how I had gotten to school, and if I had crutches with me (not the best signs of a healthy leg).  Then she broke the news.  After originally being diagnosed and treated for a tibialis posterior tear (which was taking an unusually long time to get better), the MRI revealed a large stress fracture in the lower part of my left tibia, which was accompanied with a lot of swelling and inflammation of the soft tissue and bone.  This is one of those classic good news bad news situations.  Good news: Your going to get really good at swimming, not to mention water running, and even have time left to catch up on your knitting!
Bad news: Here is a nice set of crutches, I don't want to see you weight bearing or on a bike for at least the next two weeks!
Oddly enough, I was not too upset about the results.  Now, for the first time after my injury, I know exactly what is wrong, and what I can do (or in this case not do) to help it properly heal.
Although it would be nice to set some goals for my racing in the summer of 2013, my first and only goal right now is to get better.  Yes this means my fitness will decrease and my leg will atrophy from the time spent off of it, but in the long run, this is the only way to do it.  It sucks not being able to do stuff now, but it would suck even more not being able to race in the summer or re-injure myself down the road.
But don't think I am going to turn into an unmotivated couch potato.  I will be maintaining my fitness with water running and swimming (all pulling and no push offs) and I am also going to spend more time building core strength.  Biking and running will be incorporated back into the mix only when it is safe to do so, and I will carefully re-introduce them so I don't hurt something else by rushing their return .  As for the extra time off, it will be a good chance to take a chill, have a coffee if you know what I mean... 
Sorry for the lack of pictures on this one, I will try and get some good ones for my next post (I wasn't joking about catching up on my knitting, so look for a picture of my almost completed scarf, or the new sweater project I am contemplating about making).  Hope you other triathletes reading this are staying healthy, and if you do get injured, really take the time to get back to full health.