Back in the Groove... Sort of

Hoorah..my neck has long since stopped hurting and I have successfully eased myself back into running. I took an entire week off to let things heal, and then ran greatly reduced mileage last week because I was having trouble starting back up. I don't think it helped that it was much hotter here last week than it has been. Anyway, I managed an 8 mile run on Monday, and another one last night, without too many problems. The last mile last night was a little painful because I developed some blisters on my left foot. Also, last night's run made me realize that I should invest in some reflective gear. Running in the dark, in the rain, with lightening, is not the smartest move in the book (and yes, I know, reflective gear will only get me so far). Still, the rain (and the darkness) helped with the temperature, and I've been too tired to get out the door early in the morning this week...

So my new running hurdle is traveling. I was in Charlottesville last weekend, and suprise, surprise, did not manage to fit in my long run. This weekend I'm going to be in New York, and I tried calling the Team in Training office so that I could attend a group training session there. Well, it turns out that they aren't having any this weekend. Instead I could sign up to run a half marathon in Queens for $20. This might be the best solution, but I was hoping to get in 15 or 16 miles this week, so I am a little disappointed. My other option is to just run several loops around Central Park. If anyone reading this is a runner in New York city who would be up for a long run this weekend, do get in touch with me. These things are so much better with company. On the bright side, the highs in New York this weekend will be in the sixties and seventies, which is exciting, given that it was 86 degrees on Monday when I pounded out my eight miles. Thank god my marathon is in Alaska...

Pain in the Neck

Sorry I haven't written in awhile, things have been kind of crazy and life has literally been a pain in the neck. The first week of April brought with it thunderstorms, which for me means migraines. I had a migraine that Monday, and another one the following Monday, and in between I tried to fit in my running and my schoolwork. The problem is that the medication leaves me fairly useless and the headache tends to linger so by the end of the week I was a little frustrated. Then I got an email canceling that Saturday's group training session because it was supposed to thunderstorm. I panicked. I was worried about missing that run, and getting another migraine and not being able to make it up. So I did an idiotic thing. I called Su and talked her into going for a ten mile run right then. It was Friday night, around 6:30 or 7 and I hadn't been planning my eating around running for two hours. The run went great, but then I got sick to my stomach, and stayed that way most of the weekend. Apparently the culprit is probably dairy, so I'm trying to give up milk within 24 hours of running. We'll see how that works. Anyway, Monday I went for a five mile run, and later in the day enjoyed my second migraine in so many weeks. I came back to my apartment and went to sleep and slept and slept. I woke up on Tuesday with a stiff neck. You know, the crick in your neck that signals that you slept funny and usually goes away within a day?

Well seven days later I still can't turn my head to look over my right shoulder without pain, and I haven't been able to run this entire time because the jarring motion would have made the neck worse. I did go to doctor and got some lovely painkillers and muscle relaxants, and things have definitely started to improve. I might be able to run again tomorrow. The problem is, I'm going to have start back a little slow, which is really frustrating. But I guess that is life. As the doctor said, at least you didn't hurt your leg. I almost think I would have been less frustrated with a running related injury. But maybe it has been good for my body to have a little time off of running, and hopefully this won't set me back too much.