Since August 22nd, I haven't been able to run. I've tried a few times, but always with bad results and feeling guilty for doing so. In my attempt to figure out what went wrong -- I was running really well with no pain or problems and then suddenly one day there was an intense pain shooting up into my butt/lower back on the right side -- I saw many, random doctors. It seems a bit funny - or maybe crazy - in retrospect!
First, I went to urgent care. I was in Janesville, WI visiting my stepmom the day after the pain initially started and I was certain I had some sort of fracture. The urgent care docs were worthless -- they didn't really listen to what I was telling them -- and sent me home with 30 days worth of 800mg Ibuprofen. Thanks.
That same afternoon, I went to a chiropractor. This was at the suggestion of a couple of running friends who said it sounded like I could use an adjustment. I got a local reference (in Janesville) and saw the doc. He took x-rays and couldn't see anything wrong there. We did do an adjustment but there wasn't a lot more he could do since I was going to be coming back to follow up. The next day I flew to DC to start my last year of law school.
It took me a while to figure out what to do once I got to DC. I really thought I'd just rest for a week and hope it calmed down. It didn't. So I went to another urgent care. Why? I don't know. I was in severe, constant pain with every step I took and the clinic at school hadn't opened yet. Getting into a specialist was going to take a few weeks. So I got an oral steroid from the urgent care doctor with the hopes of combating the inflammation and bringing down the pain level. It didn't.
So, next, I decided to see my pain doctor. I decided to skip the orthopedist because every time I go to an orthopedist they tell me my options are pain injections, physical therapy, or surgery. I figured I'd cut out the middle man and go straight to my pain doctor. I say "my" pain doctor because he treated me previously for a herniated disc in my neck. So I was a returning patient. He didn't want to do anything until he knew what we were dealing with, so he had me start physical therapy and get an MRI. I made an appointment to see him again in a week.
In the meantime, I started with a physical therapist. I wrote about that here. I have been seeing the physical therapist - and doing at home exercises - ever since. In the meantime, I have also gotten 2 pain injections into my SI joint. The injections decreased the pain significantly, which tells us that we are likely targeting the right spot. My physical therapist has spent time adjusting my sacrum - which she found to be out of whack - to get me centered again and to take the stress off my SI. It seems to be working.
Is my pain completely gone? No. But I'm not "in pain." And I rarely feel it. It is hard to know if what I do feel, when purposefully stressing the area, is just residual pain from the injections and all of the exercises I have been doing, or whether the injury is not quite healed. Whatever the case, it's time to move forward.
We did a lot more intense stuff in PT this week (plyometric type stuff) to test the area. It all went really well and today I was cleared to run! She said I should go for 20 minutes and run/walk. 2 minutes running, 30 seconds walking, etc. This is going to be torture for me. I don't run/walk. Ever. What I love about running -- and the thing about it that feels so amazing for me -- is getting into a rhythm; getting my HR up and going and having it stay there. But I'll follow the rules. I want to get back to high mileage as soon as possible and I know that that will take patience at this point in the game.
Thanks to all of my friends and family for their support and patience with my whining over the past month and a half. I have learned a lot about myself - and my love of running - through this process. It has really been eye-opening on levels I could have never predicted. I need to run. More than that, I truly love to run. It is a healing activity for me on so many levels: emotional, mental, and physical. If I have to come up with a reason for suffering from this quirky injury, I can definitely point to the soul-searching I've done and realizations I've come to about how important it is for me to run, to run consistently, to stay fit, and do everything I can to make sure I can do that for a long time. This will mean much more attention to my core and my body as a whole. More strength work, more stretching/foam-rolling, smart training, and, most importantly, a consistent effort.
Anyway, I see today as the beginning of a new journey. Soon, I hope, I will begin a new training cycle. I don't see this as the end of anything. I will still be in PT for at least another week - we will see how I progress and if all is well, next week will be my last week! And I hope to take all of the stuff I have learned with me and to not take my running, or my health overall, for granted. I've done that all too much in the past and it's too precious, for too many reasons, to lost sight of its importance.
And, as always, I am fundraising and would love your support! Click here! And thank you in advance for your generosity.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Difficult Decisions, Dreams Deferred
Well, unfortunately, my injury has not been healing as fast as I dared to hope. As such, today I made the very difficult decision to postpone my "50 for 35" challenge. I will now take part in a 50-miler this spring instead of at JFK this fall. To say I am bummed is an understatement. This challenge and all that it stands for - the hope it gives me and the passion I feel about why I am doing it - is so incredibly important to me.
I know, I know - it's not over, as my close friends and family keep telling me. It's just postponed. But I was really excited about hitting that Appalachian Trail with some of my favorite running friends in November. But if I've learned anything in the past couple of years - during which time life has thrown me a lot to handle - it is that life is not easy and it is most definitely not fair. That said: life gives you additional opportunities to fulfill your dreams and complete your goals, as long as you are open to seeing those new opportunities, owning them, and, well...rocking the sh*t out of them.
That's what I plan to do this spring.
I have a race picked out but I want to wait until I am fully cleared to start training hard again before I officially register and announce which race I'll be doing. For those of you supporting me in this challenge, rest assured that I won't let you down. I cannot say enough how important it is for me to accomplish this goal and finish this journey.
And, as always, when things feel unfair and crappy, a little perspective is always good. My dear friend Kara Goucher had to make a similar decision recently. You may have read about it here. Talking to Kara about my struggles in running and, well, in life in general, always gives me great perspective. And not just because she's a pro and running is her job -- the implications for her are far greater when she finds herself injured and unable to perform. It's more about who she is. I've known Kara since Jr. High and through all of her struggles and triumphs she has remained, from my perspective, so level-headed and able to joke about and accept even the saddest and most frustrating disappointments and she always looks to find a silver lining. Always. I am so thankful I have her in my life for constant pep talks, support, and as an amazing role model.
So that's what I'll do with my disappointment. Let it go and focus on what I have to look forward to. I am already excited about the race I hope to run in March. And, well, when I get back to running I am going to work my darnedest not to take it for granted! I love running. I absolutely love being a runner. I miss it terribly. When I get it back, I am going to treasure it like never before.
My fundraising page will be updated soon to reflect the postponed race date. In the meantime, I would still be grateful for your continued support! I am still so incredibly grateful to the people at Jacob's Ladder and the smiles they put on my nephew Henry's face every single day. I am also grateful that I was able to support such an amazing place as I undertake this challenge. Henry and I are both lucky to be paired with them as we pursue our goals!
I know, I know - it's not over, as my close friends and family keep telling me. It's just postponed. But I was really excited about hitting that Appalachian Trail with some of my favorite running friends in November. But if I've learned anything in the past couple of years - during which time life has thrown me a lot to handle - it is that life is not easy and it is most definitely not fair. That said: life gives you additional opportunities to fulfill your dreams and complete your goals, as long as you are open to seeing those new opportunities, owning them, and, well...rocking the sh*t out of them.
That's what I plan to do this spring.
I have a race picked out but I want to wait until I am fully cleared to start training hard again before I officially register and announce which race I'll be doing. For those of you supporting me in this challenge, rest assured that I won't let you down. I cannot say enough how important it is for me to accomplish this goal and finish this journey.
And, as always, when things feel unfair and crappy, a little perspective is always good. My dear friend Kara Goucher had to make a similar decision recently. You may have read about it here. Talking to Kara about my struggles in running and, well, in life in general, always gives me great perspective. And not just because she's a pro and running is her job -- the implications for her are far greater when she finds herself injured and unable to perform. It's more about who she is. I've known Kara since Jr. High and through all of her struggles and triumphs she has remained, from my perspective, so level-headed and able to joke about and accept even the saddest and most frustrating disappointments and she always looks to find a silver lining. Always. I am so thankful I have her in my life for constant pep talks, support, and as an amazing role model.
So that's what I'll do with my disappointment. Let it go and focus on what I have to look forward to. I am already excited about the race I hope to run in March. And, well, when I get back to running I am going to work my darnedest not to take it for granted! I love running. I absolutely love being a runner. I miss it terribly. When I get it back, I am going to treasure it like never before.
My fundraising page will be updated soon to reflect the postponed race date. In the meantime, I would still be grateful for your continued support! I am still so incredibly grateful to the people at Jacob's Ladder and the smiles they put on my nephew Henry's face every single day. I am also grateful that I was able to support such an amazing place as I undertake this challenge. Henry and I are both lucky to be paired with them as we pursue our goals!
Friday, September 13, 2013
Week 20: Some Results
Well after not so patiently waiting, I finally got in to see my doctor. I saw him last week Thursday and he ordered an MRI. My problem was not presenting as sciatica, because that shoots pain down the leg. (I have pain shooting up from my butt into my lower back). So he guessed it was probably a disc bulge of some kind, which is what I assumed as well. It took me a week to get in for the MRI, which I had this past Wednesday and yesterday, Thursday, I saw my doctor for the results.
Before I got my results, though, I met with a physical therapist yesterday morning. I am always skeptical about physical therapy. I had it a lot as kid with all of my sports injuries. It usually resulted in me being the proud owner of an array of different colored therabands and not much else. But, as I am pretty desperate here, and my doctor recommended it as an option, I thought I'd give it a shot. Fortunately I really liked the place I chose (randomly from my insurance website) and really liked the therapist. After examining me, so did not think the symptoms were presenting as a disc problem. She was able to deduce that that I have a slight tilt in my sacrum...and her assumption/guess is that I tweaked it at some point and it just hadn't gotten itself back into place. So we did not exercises, etc. to work on that. (Knowing I would get my MRI results later that same day.) And, yes, she sent me home with some exercises and a theraband. Which I am proud to say I have already used! Nothing like a little motivation and a time crunch to get me to follow the rules.
The news from my doctor was good. There is a slight disc bulge but no more than is to be expected from anyone else my age. So while it's possible it's causing the pain, it's not particularly likely. My doctor is still not convinced of a diagnosis (he is a pain doctor, so he is less focused on specific or particular diagnosis - or having some precise "answer" or "cause" and more on pain management, which is why I am coupling with PT). He had the records from my PT and together we decided that I would get a pain injection in my SI joint. Not only might this reduce my pain (that has been debilitating and severe since the day it started, August 22) but it will also give us some answers. If it works, and the pain goes away (even if temporarily) we know it's an SI thing. So I got the injection. So far so good - it seems like it may have worked. You never know for a couple of days...it takes the medicine 2-4 days to start working, and you always have soreness from the injection for the first day or so afterwards. But I am walking without severe pain for the first time in three weeks. So I am happy and hopeful.
I may not be as fit and prepared as I would have preferred to be come time for JFK, but I am feeling more and more confident that I definitely will be there. (If, for any reason, I am unable to be I will pick a 50-miler in the Spring at which I will complete my challenge.) Who knows, maybe this was a fortuitously forced rest for some reason I'll never know.
Whatever the case, I feel like I might finally be on the other side of this thing and am feeling good and relieved. Still a lot I don't know, but finally getting some answers. And some relief! Hopefully I will be running again soon. In the meantime, I am owning the bike and pool. 10 weeks until the race!
Fundraising has gone well, but still a long way to go! I appreciate support in any amount. To donate, click here.
Training Mileage Summary
Week 1: 30
Week 2: 31
Week 3: 36
Week 4: 36
Week 5: 27
Week 6: 32
Week 7: 40
Week 8: 34
Week 9: 43
Week 10: 44
Week 11: 40
Week 12: 33
Week 13: 49
Week 14: 50
Week 15: 38
Week 16: 50
Week 17: 14, Injured, cross training
Week 18: Injured, cross training
Week 19: Injured, cross training
Week 20: Inured, cross training
Before I got my results, though, I met with a physical therapist yesterday morning. I am always skeptical about physical therapy. I had it a lot as kid with all of my sports injuries. It usually resulted in me being the proud owner of an array of different colored therabands and not much else. But, as I am pretty desperate here, and my doctor recommended it as an option, I thought I'd give it a shot. Fortunately I really liked the place I chose (randomly from my insurance website) and really liked the therapist. After examining me, so did not think the symptoms were presenting as a disc problem. She was able to deduce that that I have a slight tilt in my sacrum...and her assumption/guess is that I tweaked it at some point and it just hadn't gotten itself back into place. So we did not exercises, etc. to work on that. (Knowing I would get my MRI results later that same day.) And, yes, she sent me home with some exercises and a theraband. Which I am proud to say I have already used! Nothing like a little motivation and a time crunch to get me to follow the rules.
The news from my doctor was good. There is a slight disc bulge but no more than is to be expected from anyone else my age. So while it's possible it's causing the pain, it's not particularly likely. My doctor is still not convinced of a diagnosis (he is a pain doctor, so he is less focused on specific or particular diagnosis - or having some precise "answer" or "cause" and more on pain management, which is why I am coupling with PT). He had the records from my PT and together we decided that I would get a pain injection in my SI joint. Not only might this reduce my pain (that has been debilitating and severe since the day it started, August 22) but it will also give us some answers. If it works, and the pain goes away (even if temporarily) we know it's an SI thing. So I got the injection. So far so good - it seems like it may have worked. You never know for a couple of days...it takes the medicine 2-4 days to start working, and you always have soreness from the injection for the first day or so afterwards. But I am walking without severe pain for the first time in three weeks. So I am happy and hopeful.
I may not be as fit and prepared as I would have preferred to be come time for JFK, but I am feeling more and more confident that I definitely will be there. (If, for any reason, I am unable to be I will pick a 50-miler in the Spring at which I will complete my challenge.) Who knows, maybe this was a fortuitously forced rest for some reason I'll never know.
Whatever the case, I feel like I might finally be on the other side of this thing and am feeling good and relieved. Still a lot I don't know, but finally getting some answers. And some relief! Hopefully I will be running again soon. In the meantime, I am owning the bike and pool. 10 weeks until the race!
Fundraising has gone well, but still a long way to go! I appreciate support in any amount. To donate, click here.
Training Mileage Summary
Week 1: 30
Week 2: 31
Week 3: 36
Week 4: 36
Week 5: 27
Week 6: 32
Week 7: 40
Week 8: 34
Week 9: 43
Week 10: 44
Week 11: 40
Week 12: 33
Week 13: 49
Week 14: 50
Week 15: 38
Week 16: 50
Week 17: 14, Injured, cross training
Week 18: Injured, cross training
Week 19: Injured, cross training
Week 20: Inured, cross training
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