For the week, I got in between 12-13 miles. I only ran Mon & Tue. Mon I ran easy, Tue I did a set of 200s in preparation for the 10k I had signed up for on Saturday. Wednesday it snowed and was a planned rest day. Thu-Fri were going to be easy runs with a few strides added on Friday.
Unfortunately, when I got home from work Thrusday night, I bent over and once again had a back episode. I had a huge spasm (and what I perceived to be disc related pain). That pretty much killed the rest of the week. I was forced to DNS (Did Not Start) the race. I am back on oral steriods for the problem and I have not run since.
Monday of this week I had a physical therapy appointment, during which time a neurological assessment was completed. Luckily, the results were negative, so it is comforting knowing my pain is muscular. I am taking the conservative route and not running. I am unsure of when I will run. My doctor gave me the go ahead, however I do not yet feel comfortable trying to run (as much as I would like to). I am hoping by taking more time off I will recovery fully and reduce the chances and timeframe of experiencing another episode.
Right now I am concentrating on strengthening my core - abs, obliques & back. Just another chapter in a series of disappointments over the last two years.