Firstly I would like to apologise for being quiet on the blog post front. Secondly, I would like to explain why...
Last Sunday, after my run with Tom was postponed due to Mel being very poorly, I plucked up enough courage and went out on my own. It was great! I actually really enjoyed it. I got into my own stride and I have found a way to control my breathing - In for 3 steps, out for 3 steps and then I try and breathe deeper - In for 4 steps, out for 4 steps. It gave me a rhythm to run to and works a little like a metronome does for musicians. So there I was, happily jogging along. I went as far as Windsor Bridge until stopping for a walking block; I don't own a watch so couldn't time the 5 minutes - I decided to use the various bridges as my markers. So I walked a little way past the bridge and back again, keeping my breathing steady to my walking steps. As I approached Windsor bridge again, I picked up my pace until I was back to my jogging speed. There was a subdued atmosphere on the canal that evening. There were fewer people fishing than usual and hardly any cyclists. Plus, the weather was much cooler than when I went earlier in the week with Tom, and there was a hefty wind which felt as if it was bringing on a storm. It was altogether quite pleasant. I didn't feel self conscious as there were so few passers by and the wind was keeping me nice and cool.
I reached the Dolphin pub and slowed down to a walking pace back up to Avondale Road and then into my street, where I walked up and down the pavements a few times just to get my heart beat to steady and my breathing to even out. I got in and looked at the clock to find out I'd been out for 20 minutes, longer than it felt! I imagined it was only a 10 minute session, but to learn it was longer pleased me - It means time is going quicker than I think, which means I could probably run more and for longer than I think I can!
After the aches and pains I suffered after my last run, I did some stretches and then jumped into a nice warm shower. Then I cooked myself a nice bowl of pasta and settled down with a good book before going to bed. I felt comfortably tired, the kind of nice, cost sleepiness that gives you the idea that you will be able to drop off to sleep easily...
... 2 hours on and I was still awake. I had the most intense pain in my back. I tried lying on my back, on front, my right side, then my left side... Nothing was comfortable. I got out of bed and did some back rolls that I learnt from doing yoga, which helps gently stretch the muscles in your spine - but still that didn't ease the pain. The only way I can describe it is as a deep pain, and nothing I was doing seemed to help and it kept me awake until the early hours...
... The next morning, I took some strong co-codamol which I still had left over from a previous injury ( muscular skeletal damage to my rib) and made my way to work. The tablets seemed to ease the intensity of the pain, and I cycled in. As soon as I got to work the pain had doubled and I was sitting at my desk in quite a bit of pain. I immediately made a doctors appointment who I was able to see right away.
Dr. 'S' told me it could either be a kidney infection, pulled muscle or a trapped nerve. Luckily she was able to test me there and then for a kidney infection. Thankfully, it wasn't that! Unfortunately she was unable to detirmine whether it was a pulled muscle or trapped nerve herself, but instead referred me to a physiotherapist. Then came the shocker - She issued me with a doctors note for a WHOLE WEEK! She said that sitting at a desk in an office (which is what I do for work) would be the worst possible thing to do with back ache like this! So, I returned to the office with this news, and reluctantly packed my things and left for home. I was ordered to stay at home and either lie flat on my back or stand. It was also important that I move regularly, so little strolls around the block but no hills or stairs. I was so annoyed! It was a busy week at the Museum, what with marketing meetings and marathon updates to discuss!
On wednesday I went to see Dr. 'W', a physiotherapist. She told me I'd pulled a muscle in my back, very near to my spine. It was nothing serious and probably was just an accident that occured when I was jogging, and that I shouldn't worry. She spent 45 minutes working on my muscle, massaging out the scar tissue that was a result of the injury. It was painful, yet satisfying. When she'd finished it felt great. So nice to have had some of the pain eliviated. Dr. 'W' advised me not to sit upright for too long at one time and also gave me some simple stretches to do. As well as that she gave me some excercises to help strengthen my muscles once the pain had subsided. Finally, she told me not to run until AT LEAST next Friday (17 September) and to take it very steady.
So there you have it. I hope that explains why I've been quiet. At least I can be grateful and consider myself lucky that this happened at this early stage in my training. Had it happened at a later time, it may have seriously affected my progress.
I will re start my training on Friday, providing I am feeling well enough. I can't wait to get going again... My week's been pretty dull. Fingers crossed!!
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