Thursday, March 13, 2008

Still here

I've started to post a couple of times, but didn't really know what to say. I'm still here and working on getting back into running. Actually my main focus is on being pain-free and healthy. Then I'll work on the running part again.

A few weeks back I was making steady progress and was even able to run a bit on the treadmill, with minimal pain. But once I took it to the streets, the pain spiked again. Unfortunately, even low-impact cross-training was painful so I decided to take a week or two off to let the pain subside and then start building again. So I'm in the waiting period and plan to start up the cross-training again next week.

What's wrong with me? The pain spike really concerned me so I decided to get checked out for a stress fracture. Had the x-ray last week and I still haven't received the report. Ahhh....the joys of having a bureaucratic HMO for your health provider. Fortunately, my chiropractor (not part of my HMO) is fairly certain it isn't a stress fracture. He thinks I strained some pelvic muscles, primarily my obturator internus muscle and, secondarily, my piriformis muscle. When I ramp up the running, the pudendal nerve gets irritated. That's what causes the pain spike. I'm sure there are more technical ways of describing this, but that's essentially it. He's been doing trigger point and active release work. I'm also receiving ultrasound. But the jury's still out until the next few weeks and I see if I can get back into cross-training and running without major pain.

My race schedule is still on my sidebar but I really have no idea how much of it I'll be able to run. Waldo is certainly out since it will probably fill soon. But don't be sad for me. I'm actually at peace with it. There's nothing I can do about the missed races. And its actually exciting to think about rebuilding my schedule with new ones when the time comes. And I'm certain my time will come again.

Ps. I made some blueberry lemon cupcakes for a friend's birthday. But I forgot to take pictures. So you will have to take my word for it....they were awesome!

9 comments:

Backofpack said...

Sarah,
You have a great attitude, and I'll be looking for your come-back! Am I remembering right that this is a result of a slip on the ice a while back? One of our friends is still walking around with a cast on his arm from a fall on ice. Dang! If you're still going to Pac Rim, I'll see you Saturday.

Olga said...

Sarah - that is a lot of good words and a great place to be at. Everybody could learn a thing or few - and it's much better than the other options easily available.
It's people like you make living better:)

Catherine said...

Sarah, thanks for the update. I, too, am wondering if this is a result of that slip on the ice awhile back. You have a wonderful attitude and outlook about it (much smarter than mine). I truly hope you can get back to running soon, your passion for it is palpable and I love reading your race reports. Until then.....take care.

Darrell said...

Thanks for the positive attitude towards this injury thing. It is helpful.

(a good blueberry lemon cupcake wouldn't hurt either, ;-))

Bret said...

Sorry about the injury Sarah. Not much we can do when it doesn't get better quick. Sometimes time is what it takes.
Why not sign up for Waldo anyway? I think it has a June refund date? You can get back all but 30$ or so. Might be worth the risk?

Sarah said...

Answering a few questions: Yes, it pretty much all stems from my fall on the ice. And Bret, I noted the refund policy and thought about signing up for Waldo anyway. But I don't think I will....seems too much like tempting the fates right now.

Anonymous said...

at least you've been able to keep a fairly positive attitude...and blueberry lemon cupcakes?! mmm...

Joe said...

sarah, you are awesome.

Do keep writing. One of the cool things about blogging is the amalgamation of stories. And, though we don't like to admit it, injuries are part of a runner's story. We each can learn from injuries, yet we don't each have to have each injury to ourselves to learn. So, you have much to teach us.

Your path sure sounds prudent to me. Hope hanging out at PacRim (which has two more hours to go as I write this) gave you some encouragement. I'm SURE it was great for all the runners to have an experienced runner helping out.

Leslie said...

The blueberry lemon cupcakes were awesome ... best I've ever had!