It’s been 1 week since my horrendous back incident, and I am pleased to say that I was able to run today.  I ran yesterday, my first run since it happened.  I did a short and easy run of 2.25 miles.  My time wasn’t as fast and it was previous to the injury, but I need to be thankful I am moving again. 

Today’s run was unplanned in terms of distance.  I knew I wanted to do at least 5 miles; but I was prepared to bail whenever necessary.  I didn’t exactly want to do much farther than that since I haven’t done more than 5 miles in the past 2 weeks.  It was a VERY humid and hot morning.  I wore my fuel belt with Gatorade so that I would have some fuel with me to avoid further injuries by staying hydrated.  I was sweating head to toe within the first mile.  My fastest mile was my third but then I was feeling a little lightheaded.  So I walked more during the fourth mile. 

Overall, I am pleased that I am back on track for the Dumbo Double Dare training.  I have done back to back runs, even after injury and not running for a week.  I enjoyed taking walks during that week and may resume that on my non-running days.  I’d like to take the kids with me on walks.  I am learning how to handle the fatigue on back to back runs.  I was remembering during today’s run that I did just run the day before so that’s why my legs also feel a little more tired than usual.  I also have to remember that on very hot and humid days that my pace will not be at its best.  Summer training resumes.  The weather will remain this hot.  I hope to go for a longer run on Friday.  I would like to do a short run earlier in the day on July 4 and while the kids are in camp on the 5th get in a 6.5 or 7 mile run.  That’s my plan.  So it’s back on again, hoping for no other issues with my back.  I have made adjustments at work to have a standing work station and when I do sit, it will be for shorter periods of time, with a new chair and the correct ergonomic set up.

Just 60 days till Disney Land!!  HOLY CRAP!

I have to write this post about my back so that when it happens to me again I can look back and know what I did to help make it better and know how long it took to get better.  On June 6th my back went out on me.  I hadn’t had an episode with it in over a year so I was disturbed that it happened.  After two visits to my chiropractor and his wife I ran 6.5 miles 3 days later on June 9th.  That was my longest training run towards the Dumbo Double Dare.  I ran the Branford Road Race on June 16th and got a PR, then I ran 4 miles the following day with a decent run.  On Saturday, June 22 after not having run since Wednesday, June 19th my back seized up on me in the middle of my easy walk/run.  For a few days prior there were hints that it was not balanced and I actually said out loud, “Oh no I think my back is going to go out soon.”  I should have picked up the phone and made an appointment with Dr. Pat right then.  Then Saturday, I was cleaning out my closet and it was slowly seizing up on me.  I was icing it an using my legs and not my back to pick up things, but at that point it was too late.  I did a quick arm workout and dressed for a run.  My husband warned me that maybe I shouldn’t run, but I never listen when he warns me.  This time deep down I think I knew he was right.  However, I was going to take it slow.  I walked up my hill then started to do some running.  After 1.25 miles it hit me.  It stopped me in my tracks.  I knew Kevin was mowing and wouldn’t have his phone with him, so I had to hold my lower spine while I walked the 1.25 miles back home.  I was not happy.  I tried to reach my doctors, but they were away for the weekend.  Ice, ice ice, is the only way I got through till today.  Saturday night was my worst night ever, I couldn’t even walk from my bed to the bathroom because the compression shot pains down my legs.  I had to wake Kevin up for help. 

I saw Dr. Pat today and already have some relief.  I think this will require 3 visits and hopefully I can take walks during the week to keep my legs in shape and my mental workout going.  I will continue to post my recovery so when it happens again I won’t get depressed, I’ll know there is an end in sight and I do recover from this. 

Recently I began my training for the Dumbo Double Dare. This includes doing back to back runs. The Jeff Galloway method has the day before a run as a walk day, then the run the following day. This past weekend I ran the Branford Road Race, a 5 mile race. I got a PR at 48:36. The next day I ran 4 miles. I was trying to run it slow, but one of my miles was under 9:30. So lately, I have been getting faster. I haven’t been putting a lot of effort into getting faster. It just started with a few run where in the last mile I would do some sprinting from telephone to telephone pole or by 30 second clips. Then in about a week I noticed my time was really improving. Then I would complete my last mile running by running faster and not taking my walk breaks when the timer goes off. I’ll have to check my endomondo stats and compare my pace per mile from this month to my previous months.

Needless to say, I am really happy that I have increased speed without getting hurt. I do feel a bit sore from my back to back runs this past week. I am going to stick more to the Galloway plan and work on the half marathon training with the longer runs on weekends; but instead of doing a walk the day before I may do it as a run with a longer walk warm up and cool down.

I haven’t booked my flight yet, but I do have a hotel room and training is under way, so I am working my way towards my first West Coast Race!