Saturday, January 06, 2007

Aches and Pains

Sarah asked if I ever get aches and pains. Do I ever! I'm almost 50 you know! Do I get to count my ongoing toenail/blister problems as aches and pains? Really, I think I'm pretty lucky and I think I have a pretty high pain threshold (is that right or is it a low threshold? I mean that I seem to tolerate pain fairly well). Back in the days when I picked my shoes off the shelf at the local sporting goods store I used to suffer a lot of shin splints, I've had a bout of tendinitis on my inner calf from poorly fitting orthotics, and during all last summer's training I had aching ITB and knees. They didn't hurt too bad while running, but they would ache for the rest of the day, then be fine the next day. Right now, post-marathon, my right foot is aching along the outside. Though I would never recommend this to anyone, my preferred method for dealing with all of it is to run through it. I know, I know! Bad. Seems as though the aches and pains fade away while I'm running, though they come back to haunt me post run. I have not yet had an injury that I felt like I couldn't run on. We have one of those white foam rollers and if something is hurting I'll roll it like crazy, stretch it out post run, occasionally ice it, and usually pop some ibuprofen. It works for me. Of course, I am the person that ran through chest pain and shortness of breath two or three times; I'm also the person who insisted on finishing my half marathon without taking the nitro that the doctors made me carry (it would have ended my race you know), and I am the person who ran last year for four long months in a constant state of nauseousness . It's highly probable that I am a) stupid, b) stubborn, and c) obsessive and d) dumber than dirt for doing all of the above. Again, the disclaimer, I don't recommend it to anyone. And my second disclaimer, I have become much smarter and will now stop if any of the heart stuff arises (please don't go back and read my Seattle post, I was only two miles from the finish and it was just starting to come on). Should I reiterate that "dumber than dirt" statement too?

Weather permitting, we will be driving to Bellingham tomorrow for the third weekend in a row. My youngest sister had a fall and broke her femur on New Years Day. She has fairly severe cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound. My sister lives in her own apartment and has aides who come in to help and who are on call. Apparently one of the chairs slipped during a transfer and she and an aide fell. It turns out that her bones are "soft" because she's never been weight bearing, and she is at risk for fractures. Instead of casting the break, she had surgery and had a rod put in, if it doesn't heal well, then they'll try casting it. Anyway, long story short, she is in a nursing home for three to six weeks, so we are going up to see her.

I'm awaiting a phone call to hear that Eric, Rob and Steve finished the Fat Ass 50K today. I'm guessing another hour before they finish, but I could be way off either direction. Here at home it is cold and gray, but dry. They are about 30 miles north and up on a mountain, and I'm hoping they got the same dry weather. We had a wild wind and rain storm through the night, with more to come tomorrow. What a wild weather winter this has been!

18 comments:

Darrell said...

You may be e) all the above. but more likely f) someone who loves life and lives it to the fullest, albeit maybe a little on the edge at times.

I hope the end of this decade is a good one for you.

susie said...

I'm a few years past you, so I understand! The aches and pains come with the territory now:)
Hope your sister improves quickly, Michelle. By the way, thanks for the book recommendation earlier. I intend to read it this week.

Sarah said...

I agree with Darrell! : )

I don't think running through pain is that bad if you have the experience that you do. Knock wood..I'm pretty good at knowing when something is really wrong and needs attention or whether it's just one of those things that will eventually work itself out. It sounds like you are the same. : )

Wes said...

I remember you telling me we all run with various aches and pains, and it is something that I have carried with me. I am fortunate that I haven't had a "real" injury yet, but I know that when I do the best advice I can get will be ready available. Partly Cloudy and 66F here today. Tomorrow is my "long run". I hope it is this nice tomorrow too.

Anonymous said...

You have been lucky to be able to run through most of your aches/pains. It must be all that non-running exercise you get in that keeps you balanced. Running through pain has been my downfall. I need some serious cross-training! :)

Olga said...

I am the last person to scold you on this. I don't even recommend to rest anymore:)
Hope your sister feels better soon - femur breaks are nasty for healing.

JustRun said...

I have no place in scolding anyone for pushing themselves, regardless of certain factors. I always joke that I haven't gone a day without some sort of ache, soreness, etc. since I started running. Sure, it's often a "good pain" but pain nonetheless.

My best to your sister for a good recovery.

Unknown said...

I hope all is well with your sister. Looks like nasty weather out there this morning. I'm real sorry I had to miss the run, yeah right.

Joe said...

My best to your sister, Michelle. CP is a tough disease. Hope she can adapt to the time in the nursing home and can return to independet living soon. I'm sure you will be a great support to her.

Anonymous said...

Hope you sister is doing well.

Thomas said...

Being a) stupid, b) stubborn, c) obsessive and d) dumber than dirt is a badge of honour for marathon runners.

I hope your sister recovers well. It all sounds a bit nasty.

Mmem said...

Prayers go out to your sister:-(

You are pretty strong running through all those problems. Hope 2007 is injury (and blister)-free.

tryathlete said...

Hope your sister gets better soon.

Ryan said...

Sounds like you're smarter than you give yourself credit for; you know your body and its limits. From what I've gathered running does not cause injury, poor running does.

Sorry to hear about your sister, I wish her a fast and speedy recovery!

matt said...

i agree with ryan, michelle. you always seem to be pretty in tune with your body and give everything you do out there a lot of thought. i consider you a very wise runner and person.

thanks for your thoughts on the solid food. my mind is working on that one and will probably have some questions for you with your running and crewing experience.

i am sorry to hear about your sister. i will be sending lots of good thoughts for a sound recovery.

Anne said...

I have a high threshold for pain too and I try to tell people it isn't always a good thing because you don't sense the severity of an injury properly. I do hope your sister heals quickly and is back in her apartment by the time the rods have fused the femur back together.

Chad said...

You are amazing. Talk about pushing through the wall.

I have a cure for shin splints if you need it, I used to have them when I ran cross country in high school, learned this trick and have never had them since.

Anonymous said...

darrells right on, and i hope your sis heals up well and quickly.