As a 56 year old runner, my body isn’t quite what it used to be. But recently, the cosmos wanted to remind me of that
In one of the last days of November, I was dreaming (yes, while sleeping) that I was on a public bus and the driver passed out, so I started driving the bus. It was an old style bus with the big steering wheel that is parallel with the floor. I was driving through the hills of the Northside of Pittsburgh. With all the tight turns and no power steering, I was really working to drive the bus. The alarm went off and woke me before I could finish my “route”. When I went to get out of bed, I realized that I pulled a muscle in my right shoulder and my upper back. It hurt so bad that I could not turn my head and when I ran, I could barely use my right arm. Yes, you read correctly, I pulled muscles in my back from driving a bus in my dream!
A few days later, and a chiropractor adjustment, I was feeling a bit better. With an ultra (8 hour) coming up January 8th, I needed to run miles. It was Saturday, the 4th, I already had 90 in for the week and Melissa and I were going to run an easy 10 in a 1.25 mile trail loop. Three miles in, I stopped to tie my shoe, as soon as I started running, my peroneal tendon shot pain through my foot. Being an idiot and wanting to get 100 in, limped for a mile and a half before the pain subsided. I got 10 in for another 100 mile week and thought ‘okay, crisis averted’. Sunday morning was not a pleasant time for me or my right foot. My plan was to take three days off and come back on Wednesday. There was no way I could run on Wednesday, so a call was placed to Chatham Orthopedic to schedule my first cortisone shot. Monday, the 13th, Dr. John Prather gave me the shot and explained the parameters of training…”pain management”, which means cut back or stop training if there is pain. “Okay, Doc” (sarcasm).
The “final nail” took place last week. It was 45 degrees and raining with rain in the forecast all day. I texted the Athletic Director at Hilton Head Prep (where I coach) and asked him if I could get into the gym to use the treadmill. He said the girls basketball team would be there from 11:00-1:00. I arrived at the field house at 10:45, the basketball coach (whom I have never met) asked if he could help me. I introduced myself and told him that I would be in the weight room using the treadmill. He responded, “Have a nice walk”.
WTF!?!
N of 1 Running 