A sweaty selfie from Sarah
Right now, 18 months after the sudden onset of two bulging disks in my lower back (L3 + L4 for medical folks in the audience), the theme music to my running is like the Olivia Rodrigo song, “1 step forward, 3 steps back.” I seem to make progress, then it stalls, or I go backward, with inner thigh twinges or low back pain that arrives right around the time I start cooking dinner.
My younger self would have not dealt well with this wobbly uncertainty. But with gray hairs and laugh lines come the understanding that what sucks today might be okay tomorrow (or vice versa). Instead of gritting my teeth and faring forward despite warning signs, I make adjustments. Like one that might seem minor, yet has had a profound impact on how I feel: I trimmed my typical weekday runs from six miles to five miles.
Shaving off a single mile might seem negligible, yet I immediately can feel a difference. At the end of each 5-miler, my gait isn’t compromised as it can be in the first half-hour after a 6-mile run. In the hours afterward, when I stand up from my desk, I don’t experience twinges or walk a bit wonky for the first few steps toward the bathroom or kitchen. Slightly reducing my distance on two weekday runs also allows my body to feel good enough for more frequent runs. The first week of October, for instance, I ran four days in a row—a no-big-deal regularity for me a few years ago, yet now a mind-blowing, look-at-ME accomplishment. A 5-mile run on Monday; 2 miles on Tuesday to warm up before an open-water swim; 5 miles again on Wednesday; then 2 miles pre-pond-swim on Thursday. Yeeha!
Forward progress is still progress
These accomplishments jumped into sharp, sweet relief when I happened upon an email I’d sent to a friend one year ago almost to the day (10/19/22). I had written to her, with great enthusiasm, that my morning walk had included two 800-meter running segments at the high school track.
I’m still devoted to doing a bevy of physical therapy exercises in my PJs right after brushing my teeth every morning, and I kick off every run (and pickleball session) with a quick dynamic warm-up. Thanks to the PT, my core (both front and back) is noticeably stronger, which translates to reduced discomfort and a stronger foundation for my legs to fire from as I run.
Who knows what the next few months hold for me, my back, and my running, but I’m guardedly optimistic. Next month, I’m doing my first race since March 1, 2020 (!). If that goes well, I’m thinking I need to retire that Olivia Rodrigo song—only forward steps for me.
Do what you can do,when you can do it… do what you love for yourself…you never know when it might all be taken away from you. I know this too well….
I totally get it. I am just getting back from running and I feel like it’s 2 steps forward and 1 back. It’s so frustrating b/c this time last year i was tapering for a marathon. I, too, have back issues. I have been complimenting running with Barre to strengthen….everything! I am now doing less Barre and more running. I am sure I will get back to where I was since I love running so much. Plus, this is my favorite time of year so I am extra motivated. Good Luck and glad to see you have your mojo back!