Good News! Only Painful tendonitis!

Recapping the last week:

Monday: MRI

Tuesday:

I went to a track speed workout at Tufts Tuesday night. Well, the workout was there, but I was not there to work out. I was there to get a pep talk from our coach, the legendary Jack Fultz. Legendary not just because he won the Boston Marathon in 1976, but because he is very giving of his time, ear, and advice to the Dana-Farber runners. I needed both the pep-talk, the common sense without the fear mongering of the medical fractioned, that also imparts the wisdom and realism of the athletic sports body and the athlete's mind. In short, I can feel ok about not running again before the marathon and can use ibuprofen or naproxen to attack inflammation and pain as I workout in the last days before the race. 

Wednesday:

I experienced acupuncture for the first time. I never would have thought I could relax and fall asleep with a dozen or so needles sticking in me. I could feel a shell of energy sort of flow on top of me like a blanket. Very interesting.

Thursday:

I received the preliminary results that no stress fracture, no ligament or tendon tear, no joint issue could be seen on the MRI. 

Friday:

I saw the sports medicine orthopod to give me the results. The likely issue is just microscopic strains in the tendons that are extra painful. Rest is the best healer. Don't worry about my fitness, I can't increase it now anyway. I won't forget how to run. Use pain as my guide, if I'm working out and something is painful...avoid it because it is stalling healing.

And I saw the acupuncturist again. This time using thicker needles and a device that sends tiny electric shocks into 4 of the needles every 3 seconds. Now that was kind of trippy.

Saturday:

I stopped having to walk with a limp today. I did my first cardio workout in a week on my elliptical trainer at home. I took it very easy for me. And after the hour workout strapped ice to 2 places on my hip a couple times.

Sunday:

The Dana-Farber runner's group met at the Mount Auburn club for the last tuning run (10-12 miles). I took a few strides before I left and a few more on a treadmill at the club. Just not quite ready to run yet.

I found out a fellow runner who seemed like she was fully fit and very fast just a few weeks ago, has a stress fracture in her ankle and won't race in the marathon, deferring medically until next year. This is a traumatic step for any runner, but a wise choice given the alternative of having a bad race and potentially an unhealthy summer. 

For me, it was the first time I allowed myself to be confronted by that option. I thought about it while doing a 1:45 long elliptical at the club.

Result: I feel strong. I feel healthy. I will be ready to have a good and healthy race next Monday.