Ok, I've been patient. Arguably, I have not been as patient as I need to be, but I've been patient nevertheless. I ran conservatively during the May 1st Grand Duathlon, and I have not run since then. This is not because I don't care for running, or that I can't make time for it. It's not because I don't care for the weather, though it has been very inconsistent. It's not because I don't have a plan and I'm hoping somebody will soon tell me how far or how fast to run. If you've been following this blog, you know it is because I've been plagued with Achilles tendonitis. Well, it's time to get moving. It's time to put one foot in front of the other. It's time to suck it up and make it happen. I'm done being patient.
I started physical therapy last week. They performed what is called Astym Treatment (pronounced A-stim). It is supposed to speed up recovery, and one is supposed to be able to go back to their chosen activity, in most cases running, after the first day of treatment. He wants me to do core work and to strengthen my hips. I see the value in both, so I am doing the work to accomplish these objectives, but what I really want is the Astym treatment. If I could go in and only get this treatment I would be thrilled. However, if I need to do other P.T. exercises to earn the Astym treatment...I'm on it like Blue Bonnet baby!
On Monday, my P.T. said he wanted me to wait a week before running. It's Friday, so it's the end of the week right?
I ran this morning. Well, I'm framing it as running anyway. It was really equal parts walking and slogging (slow-jogging). I walked two minutes followed by two minutes of slogging x 4. So, I slogged a total of eight minutes. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't smooth, it wasn't even perfectly smooth, but it was slogging, and I'm calling it a step in the right direction. At least this way I can feel like I'm running again
I'm supposed to stop running if I feel pain. Well, how are we defining pain? My Achilles has discomfort? My Achilles has tightness? My Achilles has what I might categorize as soreness? My heart is breaking because I can't friggin' run? What does pain mean? Below are the levels I came up with and my response to whether or not it is considered "pain" at this point.
Level I:
"Hmmm, that feels less than perfect." Nope.
Level II:
"There is a tightness, dare I say soreness?" Nope.
Level III:
"Oh sh**t! This is not loosening up, it hurts, and I don't even want to consider going faster." Yes.
Level IV:
"Son-of-a-bi***! I'm going to have to limp home! Maybe I can flag a car down to drive me back. Da** it!" Most certainly pain, and...I waited too long. I should have stopped.
Defcon V:
"F***! F***! F***! Help! Help meeeee! I wonder if anyone will see me laying here in the road. F***!" Absolutely! And...I'm a certified idiot with my proof of these new credentials in the mail.
So there it is. My chart of pain.
Anyway, I did what I'm calling running today, because I figured I should get stared, and I have a P.T. appointment this afternoon. So, the Astym treatment can help iron out what I might have disturbed.
I sat down and charted out my run training plan to possibly get through the run of Ironman Lousiville. It has forced me to change the date of my solo Duncan Lake Triathlon to the first week in August, but so what? My goal at this point is to get up to 13 miles running. This will only be two miles less than when I did IMLOU in 2009, so if I can get to 13 miles, I might feel inclined to dance a jig in the street. However, I wouldn't because I woud rather not get an injury with such Tom foolery.
I mentioned that I've been as patient as I can be. I've started running, I'm going through physical therapy, I have a plan, and I'm ready to go. The reality however, is that if it gets too bad, too early in my return, I'll drop all running until August when I get off my bike in transition, in Lousiville. Being patient has it's limits, but I don't want to limit myself if I can help it.
I'm keepin' on the Road to Ironman Louisville.
Peace.
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