It Is What It Is

This year continues to be a challenge.  It seems when one thing lets up another takes its place...just like in the previous post.  First off...I WILL not give up!!  I know you've heard me say this a lot in the last year and half, but it is the truth.  Unless I have a legitimate reason to hang it up, I will not stop trying to overcome the obstacles placed before me even if my goals or aims are not done precisely as I had planned.  Thankfully, my mental game is stronger than I ever thought...well, at least most of the time.  Sometimes it really beats me up; but I regain control and give it another shot...thanks to some of the best running friends, too!!   

About a month ago, while I was exercising with weights at a Fitness Center, I did a great workout!  I was so proud of myself and was beginning to feel on top again.  Later my right elbow was in so much pain.  Since I had done heavier weight than I'm use to, I figured that was it...and it possibly was.  It was getting about normal when about two weeks later, my workout included weights...and [guess I'm not that smart], I injured that elbow AGAIN.  What gives??  Can I get over anything before something else happens?  It wasn't much of a move nor was it many repetitions but it was back to doing a little more than I'd been doing.  Okay...now, I've injured my elbow...that is, RE-injured that thing!  It hurts sooooo bad now.  Thankfully, I don't run on it, ha!  Okay, that's not "really" that funny. 

After finishing PT for my shoulder about a month and half ago, my therapist told me that I am as good as I will get unless other things are pursued, like maybe surgery.  Well, this is NOT going to work for me.  My left shoulder is still pretty limited and is NOT acceptable to me...for life, that is!  Hence, another visit to the doctor.  He persuaded me to get an MRI...which I had turned down again and again.  I've not had good success getting those as I am so chlosterphobic!!  But he gave me the meds I needed which really helped.  It also wasn't as confining as those I'd had before due to it being an open air.  Both helped me get through this.  A follow-up visit showed that no surgery was needed.  There wasn't a tear in my rotator cuff, which I never thought there was, and the bones healed closer in place than the previous x-rays showed.  So, the next step was an injection into the shoulder.  After saying "let's do it", he whipped out a needle, the nurse brought in the necessary items for him, and before I knew it I was "shot".   There was NO pain whatsoever and immediately he was able to move my arm in positions I haven't been able to since summer 2013 [over a year ago]!  Well, I can tell you this was wonderful.  I was really encouraged that this was going to be my ticket.  Because it had healed some time ago, it was explained to me that I may need another couple of shots to break down the scar tissue that had formed.  Since this seemed to be a breeze, I was elated and have been more mobile, even a week later, than I had been in so long. 

The down side:  Weeeeellll, nothing was told me about the side affects of the injection juice.  After being told that I could run the following day with no problems, I headed out the door.  It was not long before my calves were on fire.  I couldn't understand that.  I stopped and stretched two or three times.  I had planned 4 miles that day but struggled a lot through 3 of them.  All in all, I got in four but had one mile walking.  I just couldn't figure out what was going on.  THEN...I looked up the side affects of the medication in the syringe and there it was......possible tendon tears.  Oh, no!!!  I am reacting again!  This happened the first of the year when I got a cortisone shot for severe allergy attack and bronchitis.  It took me down for about a week...of NO running!!  Here it is again!  Why do pharmaceutical companies insist on changing products that WORK??  Though my shoulder was much better, I am not able to run. 

Today is a week since the injection and I am gradually getting over this.  Four miles were on my program and decided to give it a try.  I walk/ran 5.5 miles on Saturday and had no intentions of running any but doing .25 mile increments felt good two days ago.  The first couple of miles today were a little tough.  Tightness and pain made it harder than usual.  I slowed down [not that I was going that fast to begin with], and tried an extra half mile running after the two I had just done and did much better.  I think I ran "through" this thing.  It turned out that I did all four miles running and had no pain or issues to deal with afterward.  I think I'm about to whip it...dang juice. 

Training for the St. Jude's marathon has proved to be more of a challenge than I ever expected.  While I was pushing through the tough part of my run this morning, the thought came to me that this race was NOT about me...it was the children.  After refocusing my thoughts on doing this for them, I became stronger mentally.  Even felt ashamed that I was more in cue with my ability than the fact that these children cannot run and play like their little selves would do if it wasn't for the cancer that they are plagued with.  Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of this.  Remember that you can make your donation to St. Jude's here to help defray the cost of these children's treatment and family stay. 

I have planned ahead in the fact that I have two programs I can work with.  They follow one another pretty good except that one has you running five days a week and the other four...and the aggressive one has you running two 20-milers where the less aggressive one has one 20-miler.  I'm hoping to stay with the first one, which is the St. Jude's plan, unless I just have to make a change to Hal Higdon's...which I'm alright with that, too. 

For now, my aim is to work on getting this elbow back to normal and continue to do my PT exercises for my shoulder.  I'm not sure that I will get another injection until after the marathon in December because of the side affects, which I had two or three MORE that I didn't tell you about; but I felt the "no running" is the major one...well, duh!!  I AM a runner!   

Summer has always proven to be tough for me as well.  I'm hoping my persistence in running as much as I can outside will prove to be to my advantage when the cooler temps arrive.  It has in years past and I'm going on that. 

With all of this said, I've had to change some racing hopes again.  But on the flip side of that coin, I've signed up for a couple of virtual races.  Though it won't push me like a race would, I'm hoping to use it for speed training.  It, also, won't be as embarrassing to be in front of others because of my slowed pace either...hee-hee. 

I will say this again...I will NOT give up.  Things may not go quite as expected but I won't quit for those kids!!  It is for "them" that I push onward.  I will run because they can't.  Until the next post, go

Run 4 It