Can't Feel My Legs

Through the miracle of insurance I am able to visit a chiropractor multiple times a year for adjustments and therapeutic massages. Not being one to pass up a good massage, I decided to visit a local bone-cracker and get setup. The Chiropractor used what I can only describe as a torture table to crack my spine and other bones. If you’ve ever visited a Chiropractor, you are familiar with the gut-wrenching sound your neck makes as they do the adjustment. Let’s be serious though – my primary reason for the visit was for the massage… and boy did it hurt so good! I was also able to get some good advice as to how I can help with the healing process. Nothing new, but it’s comforting to know that there are some things I can do to speed the recovery. Some things I could do include:

1. Epson Salt Bath
2. Hot/Ice bath
3. Massage (roller/golf ball)
4. Tape
5. Continue to visit massage therapist

When I got back to work I went to a Yoga Class. I have never done Yoga before, and didn’t know what to expect. I thought it’d be a stretching session. I was wrong. Yoga, for those that don’t know, is a slow motion-muscle exerting-taking your body to the limit and back-journey. It was an experience, and I was sweating a lot more than I had anticipated. I felt wildly out of place, as those around me were much more experienced and flexible. I’m debating if I want to continue with it or not – if so, I need appropriate attire that’s for sure!

Why do I have the feeling that between the massage and yoga, I’m going to be hurting tomorrow!?

Tonight’s exercise consisted of me watching exercise bike video’s on YouTube and trying to keep pace. I did a solid session of stretching beforehand, and put the pedal to the metal-literally. It was a good workout. Got the blood moving. It’s no substitute for running and building endurance, but I figure it’s better than nothing.

I’ve been watching my food intake as well. I hit a big milestone when today my coworkers and I went to a pizza joint and I didn’t order a pizza. This was the same place that I had competed in a 24″pizza competition a few months ago. Self control got me through it. Both times.

I also went to a Chiropractor today. I got an adjustment and scheduled a a therapeutic massages for my legs. They still hurt, and shins are sore to the touch. Hopefully with the massages, Epson salts, and stretching, I’ll be able to continue my training for next month’s race!

I took an Epson salt bath. I’m not proud of this. I don’t like baths. I feel like I’m marinating in my own pool of liquid. It’s gross and have never seen the appeal. To make it acceptable, I need to shower, then bathe, then shower again – and by that point I’m all pruney and it’s just not a pretty picture.

I drew the bath, poured in the salt, and then sat there for 20 minutes. Voila. Did it feel good – meh. Did it help my muscles – I sure hope so. I took a couple few ibuprofen’s and had stretched beforehand. Hard to say if the bath itself has done any healing. I certainly didn’t feel like a man afterwards… Maybe I need to dim the lights and get some candle’s burning next time.

As far as exercising goes, like I mentioned, I stretched a good amount today. I also rode an exercise bike for 40 minutes…. Maybe spa music would be nice too.

I kept the exercising to a minimum today. I spent a half hour stretching my legs/rolling – and then another half hour on an exercise bike. So far so good.

I talked to someone whose had shin-splints before. He recommended that I tape my leg and provided a YouTube video for reference. He also said that prior to taping I should shave my legs, and apply alcohol to the area – that I should expect to keep the tape on for a few days at a time. I suppose I’m OK with all of this. I’d be lying if I said that I’ve never shaved my legs before – it was kinda nice when I did. Maybe with less leg hair, it’ll help increase my speed. Aerodynamics. Science.

I love Sundays! I don’t work. I don’t exercise. I hardly go out. I can take naps. It’s a day of rest – and I am grateful for all 24 hours of it!

In addition to resting, I was able to talk to some people about my ailment while at Church. They diagnosed me: Shin Splints. Strained muscles. Something Something Achilles. They also gave their recommendations; such as: Wrap it. Massage it. Epson salt bath. Certain exercises.

For now I’m going to say it’s Shin Splints. But no matter what it is, it hurts like crazy and I’m not ready to run on them again. This definitely makes things more difficult – with the race now less than 6 weeks away. I plan on still walking a mile or two tomorrow and trying to do additional cardio work.

 

No run today. After the disaster that was yesterday, I took the day off. I managed to do some yard work, and by the end my calf muscles were aching. I am hoping that with rest I’ll be able to start up again next week.

Here’s where the pain is:

 

I did it. It happened sooner than I expected, but it’s here. I injured myself.

Tonight’s run was supposed to only be 3 miles. 3 simple short miles. But it turned into a death march after a few steps. The pain started strong – between my lower calf and heel. The Achilles tendon. It shot deep and fast. Felt like it was in my bones. I struggled to make it to the 1 mile mark. I contemplated turning back and only doing 2, but for some stupid unknown reason I kept on going. My pace was slow, slightly faster than a speed-walk. I powered through. I would set a visual marker and tell myself, I’ll go to the corner then stop and die. Each time I arrived I went a little further. To the park, and then die. To Sonic, and then die.

Why didn’t I just stop and hobble home?! Because the pain intensified when I stopped. Stinging daggers of fire and sorrow coursed through my legs when I wasn’t moving. My legs would shake uncontrollably, there was no relief. When I did stop, for traffic lights or to contemplate the vastness of the universe and my place therein, I would hobble to get my pace going again.

Once home, I limped into the bathroom and sat in the shower as tears filled my eyes. Showers are good for hiding tears. The pain was real. I knew eventually it would dissipate, so I didn’t seek medical attention. My wife got some lidocaine cream and I popped some ibuprofen.

Is this the end? Doubtful, but I probably won’t be running this weekend.