Category: The Journey

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.

Sorry about yesterday. Beginning a running program can be an emotional rollercoaster. There are highs, and lows… Mostly lows. Yesterday was a low. Today was a low. I expect tomorrow to be the same. But hey, when you hit the bottom you only have up to go.

Today I ran for a few miles and cycled for 30min on an exercise bike. It only hurt when I moved. I’ll post my plan for this “6 weeks to sexy” tomorrow so you can see what I’m putting myself through. Suffice it to say, running will need to happen 6 times a week. I figure that if I let myself go, got unhealthy and gained weight in a matter of a few months, I should be able to reverse the damage in a few months as well… Right?

Maybe surgery is the hero I need.

Why oh why did I ever think I could do this?!

I just finished a 5 mile run. I was on average, 30 seconds slower per mile than I was 2 days ago. Everything hurts. I don’t like running. It only brings pain and disappointment. I’m going to shower, and then sleep and for a brief moment forget about the rapidly approaching marathon.

Last night I, being overly ambitious, decided to start my 2 month “from not to hot” journey! That’s right – the fear of failure was (and continues to be) greater than the fear of pain… or in my case the gut wrenching lung-bursting wheezing exhaustion that can only be achieved from running.

Let me tell you a story.
A few months ago I decided I would participate in a Sprint-Triathlon. Swim/Bike/Run. Being somewhat experienced in the running aspect of the event, I went into the competition with no training in the other two fields. I couldn’t remember the last time I actually swam, and I hadn’t biked in over 10 years. Over-Confident, I made the decision to “wing-it”. It wasn’t until I was standing in line, getting ready to jump into the pool that I felt completely and utterly unprepared. I looked back deep to the Summer Olympics to conjure up a form of Michael Phelps… but it was futile. As I got closer to the front of the line I began to panic, and I did the only thing I could think of – I did a cannonball to start the race. Not my proudest moment, but the fear of failure overpowered the fear of pain and in this case, possible death.

I began swimming – or what I like to think swimming looks like- I was flailing my arms and head back and forth, kicking vigorously. I completed the first lap, then the second. By the time I got to the third (out of 8) my body began to give out. My swimming technique had evolved and I was now trying to ride the wake of the swimmers that were passing by. Occasionally I would bump into them, and grab their ankles for an extra boost. I started floating on my back as I worked the lane-rails along the pool. Like a pinball I would bump from side to side. Lap 4. Lap 5. When I’d get to each side I’d stop, pray, try to catch my breath and then start again. I didn’t know if swimming had a “mercy” rule where the refs would determine that if someone was unfit for the pool, they’d ask them to be removed, but with each stop on the side I felt as though it was my last. Maybe they felt sorry for me, maybe they didn’t want to get wet… but I kept going. Lap 6. I could now see my family closer, I could hear their cheering, though it sounded more like prayers to God that I wouldn’t die. Lap 7. Home stretch. My kids were there. My wife was there. My sister, and nephews were there. What was supposed to be a 8 min swim had passed 20. I was no longer swimming, but pulling myself along the side. I rolled out of the pool. Exhausted. Shaking. I had completed the death swim.

I went on to finish the sprint. I came in close to last for my age group. I felt bad. I felt ashamed. I felt as though that by having not practiced and nearly drowned, I had failed. I didn’t want my family to have seen me like that. Dishonor. But hey, I got a medal – so that’s cool.

And so I started running again last night – because the fear of failure is greater than the fear of certain unrelenting pain. I will not give up on this race. Though I have less than 2 months, I will prepare and I will finish what I started. I will succeed!