Watching it all slip away...

So after the reality of a shift in life priorities set in and the road to repair was made things began to physically slow as well. Last year I had stepped on a rock while barefoot and done damage to my plantar fascia. Being the hard-headed individual that I am I kept running on it thinking I could active recover it. The reality was given to me recently that this injury is not n injury that can be actively recovered. So…4-6 weeks off as per docs orders, I am 3 weeks in right now.

This morning I took a “fitness test” with my running calculator and the result was a little more humbling than anticipated. My VO2 max usually is between 55 and 57, depending on where I am in my training cycle…this morning…47. Ugh, that is a lot lost. I am now 212 lbs rather than my flighty 185 racing weight. Though it is muscle, well, most of it, it is taxing my system and I can feel it. So, to me (and my heart too obviously) the extra muscle does NOT make me a more FIT individual. I want to get out and run, I want to blast through an interval workout and feel euphoric at the end. I miss it dearly and I am worried that it is going to be really tough to get back.

Another issue is my left hip. Not sure if it is a hernia, or residual effect from the bulging disc which running usually kept in check for me, but my left hip has been killing me since ATY and now, without running, the pain is very localized and I can hit the point of trigger. When I do pain shoots down to where my Sartorius connects just above the knee. Comparing between the sides there are a few things that are not symmetric going on in that left hip. The musculature is much less that the right side as well. My PT says it is caused from the sciatica…but I am really questioning him on this one…though…the sciatica has killed my flexibility of my left hamstring, so he very well could be right.

Next weekend I get to focus on other runners and be a part of running as a spectator and supporter. I will be the equipment manager for the GRR 100 miler in Dawsonville, GA. Sure wouldn’t mind a trot through the woods, but beggars can’t be choosers right?