Thursday, October 22, 2009
Injury slows down Marsico
The Roanoke Times
File 2008 Due to injury, Megan Marsico isn't running cross country.
varsity.roanoke.com
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There will be no sequel to the biggest blockbuster of the 2008 cross country season.
Glenvar star Megan Marsico, who wrecked records and blew away all challengers on her way to a state title last fall, won't be able to run this season.
Marsico confirmed last week that a fractured bone in her foot still hasn't healed.
For the past couple of months Marsico has held out hope that the injury would heal and she'd be able to return in time for the Three Rivers District championship.
"Now I'm just looking forward to track," said Marsico, a senior who recently verbally committed to run for Virginia Tech.
Marsico was diagnosed over the summer with a fractured sesamoid bone in her foot.
Sesamoids are tiny, pea-sized floating bones embedded in tendons. Sesamoid injuries are common in runners, and also dancers.
Marsico's injury is to a bone at the base of her big toe.
"That thing causes so much pain it's unbelievable," she said.
Marsico had just gotten medical clearance to resume running after healing from a stress fracture in her other foot -- an injury that caused her to miss the end of last year's outdoor track season -- when she noticed the pain.
With the injury not healing despite rest, Marsico said her doctor plans to try another approach. She said she will wear a special boot that will electrically stimulate the area in an effort to enhance the healing process.
She said the next evaluation will come on Nov. 18.
"If it's not better they will do surgery to remove the loose bone fragments," said Marsico, who added that even with surgery she would "probably be able to start running gently in February."
Despite being unable to run, Marsico has tried to keep fit through low-impact exercise, including cycling and swimming.
The layoff has had its benefits, she admitted.
"I really pounded my body into the ground," Marsico said. "It's been a good break, but it's been too long.
"Cross-training gets old really quick. But since I've kept myself in shape it shouldn't be too hard getting back in running shape."
Change suits PH
Months ago, when the VHSL released the schedule for postseason meets, a collective "Ugh" arose from Western Valley District coaches. The district meet was scheduled for this week, two weeks ahead of the Northwest Region meet.
With runners still building toward an ideal peak at the Nov. 14 state meet, the coaches weren't too excited about that long, two-week gap between races.
It was an easy fix, though, and the meet in Danville was moved to Wednesday.
Patrick Henry coach Chad Cox said his team is not racing this week, preferring to rest now.
At the district race, the Patriots boys team is well positioned to climb up from the runner-up spot it's been stuck in for several years.
It helps that the team is running pretty well. What also helps is that perennial district leader E.C. Glass departed for the AA Seminole District.
Cox said he actually will miss running against the Hilltoppers.
"We were hoping to get another shot at them this year," Cox said. "Building toward regions it's always good to have Glass pushing us."
River Ridge rivalries
As usual, the River Ridge District meet should produce some excitement, and not just on the girls side where Blacksburg and Hidden Valley will continue their epic rivalry.
Blacksburg's boys are heavily favored to win the team title at the Wednesday race at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County, but the battle for second could be close.
According to times and rankings compiled on the Milestat.com Web site, Cave Spring ranks second in the district, with an average 5K time of 17:25 for its top five scorers.
But lurking close is Christiansburg, whose top five average is 17:32.
On the girls side, the speedy Bruins and Titans girls are way in front of the rest of the pack.
The Milestat.com rankings have established Blacksburg as the favorite, with the team's five scorers' average time of 18:36.8 about a half-minute faster than the Titans average.
The Bruins girls' average is also faster than 30 boys teams in Group AA.
