First Steps

Today, I covered a total of 1.5 miles alternating walking with running. It was hard to tell if everything was totally better, but I ran really slow so as not to do any damage. Yesterday, I did 2.5 miles, mostly walking. I'm "listening" for pain, and not hearing it. On Saturday, I'll do three. Between now and then, it'll be more of the same - walk/run/walk/run.

No gain, more pain

The past two days have been a frustrating return to the pain level of a month ago. Maybe this is a good thing as it prompted me to do some web-surfing on rehab from stress fractures. Most of what I found proscribed a very gradual build-up. I probably would have rushed it. Right now, I'm making deals with myself. I don't think God answers these types of prayers. Until something changes, I'm retiring the blog. Talk to you when I'm on the trail.

Progress

I woke up yesterday, the first day of 2009, with no pain. I had trouble putting my right sock on and had to sit down. But I'm used to this. At this point, it may just be stiffness. The gym was crowded on New Year's Day, but the pool wasn't, so I paddled around and generally worked on motion. All good news. This morning, I felt even better and actually managed to get both socks on while balancing on alternate legs. Another big plus is that when I sneeze, my lower abs don't hurt - It's been a while since I could last claim that. I expect to be sneezing much more in the coming weeks. If I don't have any more setbacks, I'll run next Saturday. The trick will be to start easy and build strength over several months. I'm in terrible shape. But I'm encouraged.

Not sure where my motivation is these days. I went to the gym on Sunday. Rode the stationary bike easy and spent about 20 minutes in the pool doing a combination of kick-boarding and swimming. On Monday, I intended to go to the gym, but the best I could manage was 20 minutes on my mountain bike. Tuesday was a complete washout. The best I can claim is that I'm eating better. Hopefully, on January 1, 2009, I'll be able to get some momentum going that lasts more than a couple of days.

I keep dreaming about racing. I don't usually remember dreams. It must have something to do with all the sleep I'm getting lately.

It's been 9 weeks since my last run

I have stress fractures in my left and right pubic ramus bones (they are smaller bones in the pelvis area). The problem started in the midst of heavy mileage training during the summer, and probably got worse at the Tahoe Triple. But at least I was running ...until I made the stupid mistake of trying to come back too early. I know better. Three weeks after Tahoe, I was doing 800's on the Austin High track, frustrated that I couldn't run sub-2:50 comfortably. This was a Wednesday. On Friday, I couldn't run a step without feeling pain. That was October 24th. I haven't run a step since then. And I'm getting heavy - 10 lbs despite eating pretty well during the holidays.

Unfortunately, the inability to run has pushed my stress level to the roof. I manage operating and bond money for local governments and with the Fed cutting short-term rates to near zero, we have little value to offer our clients. This makes the job situation a bit shaky.

Anway, I've been trying to cross-train, but there isn't much I can do that doesn't aggrevate the injury. The target date for return to running had been January 1st, but I've been waking up really sore this week. It hurts to put on my socks and pants because I have to balance on one leg.

One thing a blog does is keep you honest. I haven't really exercised at all since October. Just knowing that I was going to start blogging today got me out to the gym. I've promised myself that I'll get in at least 30 minutes a day ...of something. With luck, I'll start running a week or two into January.

I have modest expectations. I'd like to run the 7 mile Town Lake loop below 50 minutes. I probably won't race again until I can get through my hilly 5.3 neighborhood "Point Run" in 34 minutes. My PR is 33:12.

I miss my running friends. I'm a runner.