so what does all this mean???

In my last post, I explained the various physical ailments I had.  I wanted to try and explain the consequences,. or effects, these ailments were having on me, both running and in daily life.

I had constant back pain most of the time.  It seemed to be the worst in the morning.  I couldn't stand up straight.  I was leaned over to the right significantly and hunched forward at the same time.  When I went from a laying or sitting position, I would have to lean to the right, stand up, then slowly rise to an upright position (if possible).  My misalignment and posture were causing difficulties digesting as well as reduced lung capacity.  I was holding about 20% more body weight on my left side.  My doctor wasn't sure, but my lower left leg problems (soleus) may be an effect of my physical ailments as well.  The jury is still out on this one though.  It was a pretty miserable existence the last few months.

Things appear to be significantly improving.  I have now been seeing my doctor for about three and a half weeks.  I have been running every other day and I do not feel any discomfort in my back while running.  Also, I am completing those activities and projects I had put off for fear it would extend or increase the pain.  I can't wait for my reassessment exam to actually have the factual data to support my improvement.

Now, on to specifics of running.  Actually, I should call it jogging :)  I ran 3 miles on Mon, Wed & Fri.  Sunday I did 5 miles...14 miles for the week!!!  For me, that is exciting.  Baby steps, right?

I am having some lower left leg tightness when I run.  It appears to feel the same as all the problems I've had before with the leg.  My doctor wants me to continue to run in the cushioned-type shoe I have for the last couple years.  I am foam rolling it everyday for 5-10 minutes and I am wearing kinesio type on the calf.  I am going to continue to treat the problem/injury this way until told otherwise.

I have another appointment with my doctor today.  I am going to ask if I can run more...hopefully, he says yes!

My situation

They say its not if, its when.  I am referring to a runner getting injured while training.  For the better part of three years, I was able to avoid injury for the most part (I did have two bouts of time I took a short amount of time off due to injury).  Little did I appreciate my durability and resiliency at the time.  I had no idea what was to come.

At the beginning of November, I finally admitted that I was not going to get better on my own.  This conclusion came about when for two days I was unable to stand upright.  I had been dealing with two major injuries over the last year+: chronic lower back pain & lower left leg pain in the calf/achilles area.  I kept thinking taking time off would get me healthy.  But, the truth was my back pain kept flaring up with less and less activity each time.

So, I decided at that moment I was going to do whatever it took to finally get healthy.  After I did some research and found what I thought would be a good doctor for my situation, I made an appointment and went to see him.  I believe I made a good choice.  After performing a series of tests, here is what my situation was:

1) collapsed left arch
2) pelvis tilted back on right side, tilted forward on left side
3) L1-L4 discs shifted to the right
4) discs in upper back shifted to the left
5) spine curved to the left in my upper back
6) reduced curvature of neck
7) head sitting too far forward
8) right shoulder sitting higher than left shoulder

The important thing: he said he could help.  Knowing I wanted to get back to training and racing and the high level I want to attain, he stated that we needed to get my body in a state of perfection.  He explained for the opportunity to shoot for my goals, it would require 100-mile weeks.  At this volume, even a small imperfection/problem could be exposed and cause injury and an extended disruption to training.  Those statements may not seem like much, but it provided a glimmer of hope that my current situation was correctable.  Plus, it gave me confidence he understood where I was coming from and he believed enough in his ability that he could get me to where I wanted and needed to be.

It's not easy.  Even though I have made great strides and feel infinitely better, it is still a challenge.  An example is yesterday...Thanksgiving.  Everyone knows this is the most popular racing day of the year.  I was no where near any of these races...not by choice.  I can't stand to be near racing, its too difficult knowing I can't participate.  The difficulty was compounded by the fact I had hoped (back this summer during one of my short-lived periods of feeling healthy) it would be my first race back.

Also, there is the fact I have lost much, if not all, of my fitness.  My running pace is glacial.  I am forced to consider and question whether I will ever be able to regain the fitness and ability I once had.  Hope and desire only get you so far.  And, what will I do if I can't recapture that form?  I try not to think about it too much because to be honest, it scares the sh*t out of me.  That may sound ridiculous to most people, but that fire has become a part of who I am.

Don't get me wrong, I don't have this grand idea and goal to be something that I am not and I could never hope to achieve.  But, I also understand to reach the running goals I have is going to require a little luck.  Here's to hoping luck is on my side.  I still have quite a ways to go before I find out...quite a ways to go.

Nov 8 - Nov 21

Baby steps.  That's what I keep telling myself.  I have been able to run every other day for the past two weeks.  I have to start somewhere.  Three miles, every other day increasing one run per week (11/20 was 4 miles).  Time is inconsequential.

It is nice just to be outside and running.  For some reason, I enjoy running in Denver in the winter.  It's dark and cold.  It feels so calm and quiet, comforting and relaxing.  Peaceful.

It has not been easy getting here.  At the beginning of October, my body seemed to finally succumb to the stress it was under.  I couldn't stand up straight.  I don't know how long it had been since I woke up without any back pain.

I thought I would get better on my own.  I figured if I gave it time, my body would heal itself.  The only problem is every time I felt better, I would try and run.  Eventually, the pain would return.  Even more concerning, each time I returned to running, the pain returned sooner.

Well, I found a doctor who believes he can help.  He got me back up and running within a few days.  I am sticking with his advice and his plan to get me healthy.  We defined health as waking up without back pain and being able to run 10 miles a day without pain.

I trust in the rehabilitation plan he has laid out for me.  I am hopeful for things to come.  But, I am also trying to enjoy the journey.  And, maybe I'll even learn a little more about myself.

Nov 8 - Nov 14: 4 runs, 3 miles each
Nov 15 - Nov 21: 3 runs, 2 x 3 miles & 1 x 4 miles