Return to running

Well, I finished my first run since 11/22. It felt really good to be out moving again. The elliptical is fine and I may use it as a way to phase the running back into my routine. I ran 30 laps on the indoor track at the Meyer Center. 9 laps make a mile, so I ran about 3.3 miles. I ran a respectable time too. Not too bad for being out of it for so long. I guess I was getting more good out of the cardio I was allowed to do since my last follow-up.

Swim class is going really well. I hope I'm building some good habits. I know it's terribly easy to revert to the old ways. I found that out tonight during a swim workout that didn't include drills. I may miss class this Sunday. I should be able to get in a technical swim regardless. The drills are hard, but helpful. I don't know if I'm getting any faster, but I think I'm becoming more efficient. I also know that I'm way ahead of where I was this time last year.

PT is going well. I decided that PT is going to have to be my strength training for the time being. Doing some of the things I was doing was causing me some shoulder pain, so I decided to lay off of it until I'm stronger. My therapist challenges me more each time I go, so I'm making progress. Sometimes it doesn't seem like it though. It's little things that help me to tell that I'm getting better though. Things like palming the wheel when I drive, putting away dishes or laundry, and drying my butt with a towel. I couldn't do any of this stuff a month ago without shrugging my shoulder.

Follow-up & Therapy II

I go for another follow up today. I've been going to therapy three times a week and making progress. It feels good to get stronger, but it's happening at a pretty slow rate. I've managed a few workouts lately, abbreviated as they are. Doing the trainer and walking gets pretty boring. My wife and I joined a health club through her employer that I plan to take advantage of this year. They have a nice six lane lap pool and I've been there to swim a few times. I start a swim class there this coming Sunday. I'm really looking forward to that. My friend Zach said it helped him get faster. I'm hoping to do the same. I'm ahead of the swim game based on where I was last year at this time. My season my be salvaged after all. Even if I don't get to do all the sprints I did last year again, I may get an Olympic distance event under my belt after all. Joining the Meyer center will allow me more opportunities to swim without having to be concerned with conserving gym visits. Hopefully after my follow up appointment, I'll be released to run and do some more aggressive strength training. All this sedentary living coupled with the holidays has caused me to pack on a few unwanted pounds. I'm ready to get back after some real training.

Kind of back in it

Cleared to swim, I went to the pool for the first time since August. In my mind I was pretty sure I could knock out 600y in 100y increments. I figured I'd do 100's until I was tired or sore and see what that got me. I was apprehensive as I jumped in the pool and not exactly sure I would remember what I was doing. I also wanted to try some of the techniques I'd been reading about and watching on YouTube. The first hundred went pretty well. I had forgotten a lot of the good habits I had learned, but still did it without much trouble. I did a better job of not crossing mid-line with my hands, but my body rotation still needs work. I also need to work on my core and tighten up so my hips won't dip. I rode the trainer for 30 min. at the middle setting the other day as well. It felt good to sweat. All may not be lost for this season, even if I can't meet the goals I set before my injury.

Follow-up & Therapy

I had my post-surgical follow up Monday and started therapy on Tuesday. I'll be going three times a week and I have a home program to follow as well. The exercises are challenging. Form is the most important thing to follow. The doctor has cleared me to bike at 50% and I can swim or even run in the pool. It doesn't look like I'll be doing the Resolution Run, unless it's just to run it and not worry about a time. I go for my next appointment on Jan. 6th. I'm off work so I can concentrate on getting better. I've been working in the modeling studio quite a bit and I have a couple of commissions to keep me busy. I hate to think how far my fitness level has fallen in two months. I hope I can gain it back quickly. I think my season will have to start much later than I had hoped, but I think I may salvage a couple of races this year. We shall see.

Surgery

Well, this blog has turned into more of a injury blog than a training and racing blog. I got a surgical consult this morning and the neuro-surgeon wanted to move pretty quickly. He and my spine center doctor are concerned that if I don't act, I risk permanent nerve damage to the C5 nerve root. I was looking in the mirror and feeling my scapula and I already have noticeable atrophy in my shoulder. I was hopeful that with the absence of pain and some strength returning that I could escape surgery. My doctors agree that I still have nerve root impingement and all the healing that I have so far is the absence of inflammation. I'm very hopeful for a good recovery. I think I'm in good hands for the surgery. Being off work for a few weeks is something I'm looking at with some trepidation. Sitting around and watching TV sounds like a dream come true. I enjoy that kind of thing, but I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy being forced into it. I think I'll be back at training by the first of the year. I'm hoping that I've built enough of a base that I can get back the times and distances quickly. I'll miss the Turkey Trot, but I think I can be back at it in time for the Resolution Run 5k. I hope so.

Tests and off-season training

I get an EMG on Wednesday. After I saw the Spine Center specialist he said that my condition didn't indicate any need for epidural injections. I was happy to hear that. Unhappy to remain ignorant of my condition and what kind of recovery time I'm looking at. I expect a couple of things; a nerve entrapment caused by a lifetime of sports, or some nerve damage caused by some other weird problem. I've been getting better more rapidly after a few days of remaining at a plateau gaining back strength. I'm off medication for the most part including Tylenol and Advil. I still take some Tylenol PM at bed time.

I had intended to have a half marathon and the training that went with it to carry me into the off-season. Injury has precluded that. I also intended to be well into a strength program that would have me in better condition overall. Now, with the injury, it's just run and ride the trainer. I wish I could get out on the road and I also wish I could do a little single track riding. For the time being, it's 4 on Monday, 5 on Wednesday, and 3 on Friday. A return to 10k for a long run is surely in the near future. I ride the trainer on Tuesday and Thursday for an hour. Hopefully after diagnosis and treatment I can get back to strength training. If I can get back to swimming by February, I'll be on track to meet my goals. If not, I may have to skip a couple of races early in the season.

Results and referral

I got my MRI results the other day and with the help of a good friend who is a Radiology Tech, I was able to see some of the things that I read about in the report. I have a couple of bulging discs and narrowing in the channels where the nerve roots exit the spine. I got referred to The St. John's Spine Center. I was a little apprehensive about this based on the initial call. After a little research, I think this will be the best place for me to get treatment. I only hope they won't get their heads too wrapped around my discs and ignore what I think could be a peripheral nerve problem. Meanwhile, most of my pain has subsided. The numbness has reduced to about one square inch in the center of my deltoid. I can live with all this. The weakness is about intolerable to my mind. Working over my head is nearly impossible, I fatigue easily and I just can't do some stuff. I'll continue to train. My distances are going to change a little, and I'll still be stuck inside for cycling on the trainer. I was pretty lazy today. I'll get back on the horse tomorrow. I think I'll be doing M/W/F thing and 3,4,5 miles. I'll probably do the Turkey Trot, but I don't know if I'll make my goal of sub 24 minute finish time. All that is provided they don't sideline me after my Dr. appointment.