We had the opportunity to participate in our last race while on the road. It was so good to see our Gulf Coast Running Club running family. This was the first time we'd run this one...at least the way it is done now. Kent ran it years ago when it was put on by the Police Department and was run downtown. But in recent years, it was changed to the Pursuit of Fun 5k at Gulf Islands Waterpark. The best part is the cost of the race included admission to the Park. Woo-hoo!
It was a hot morning as for as we're concerned. We've gotten to where we abstain from running in the heat. It is really hard on both of us. The only pics I have are the two taken by the Club. My camera was left in the car since the awards were inside the Waterpark and I didn't want to leave it with our towels waiting to be stolen. Though we tried to enjoy the water, all I could do was grimace with shoulder pain. I would like to do this again...but bext time with no pain.
We saw our friends, Tommy P. and Bob C., before the race begun and had a nice visit with them. Afterward we found another friend, Nestor A., who came in First Place in the Racewalking Division. He is super fast!! Kent grabbed the 2nd Place Award. Nestor's boys ran and also enjoyed the Waterpark.
I ran terrible...for me...as my shoulder was giving me fits. But I came in First Place in my age group and was pleased with that.
Within a week of getting home, my shoulder became more and more painful. While cleaning, I reached up to make a swirly motion and experienced a very sharp pain. That was all that it took! I could not move it in any way, shape or form. I had "done" something and didn't know what. Having some medication from a previous time, I began taking it for relief. It worked fine but as soon as the effect was over, the pain returned with a vengeance. I called and got an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon...and with a blessing...got it within a week!!
He could hardly touch my arm. At that time, I couldn't raise it above my waist without bringing tears to my eyes and a close call to yelling out. Upon examination of the x-rays, it was found that I have Calcific Rotator Cuff Tendonitis. He wanted to do an MRI but I refused for the time. They are so hard for me to do. He was afraid I had a tear. I told him I would consider it next time I came.
I left his office with presciptions for a steroid pack, anti-inflammatory and pain medications along with orders to begin physical therapy. Within 24 hours, my pain was so much better as well as my range of motion. Obviously, I had a lot of swelling that these strong drugs began working on and relieving. In my initial physical therapy evaluation, he came to the same conclusion as the doc in that he feels I may have a tear, too. Though my range of motion was so much better by the time I got to him, I am still pretty limited.
I am feeling much better and hope things work out okay. I'm to return to the doc in three weeks for another evaluation and a possible MRI. Due to the pain and lack of detail information that an MRI gives, treatment has been on a limited basis until they can tell what is exactly going on. I hope and pray I do not have to have surgery and that it is NOT a tear. And, the second worse thing that might happen is to have a frozen shoulder! These are NOT good things to dance around with. Maybe they will find another partner.......fingers crossed!
The downside to this is that I can hardly run now. I mean, I MIGHT can do a half mile before I feel some pain and fatigue in that shoulder which means I stop immediately to eliminate any further damage. Mostly, I've walked this week and though I'm not too happy with that, I am happy that I can do "something". So, until the next post, I want you to do me a favor and go
Run 4 It...for me...please!
