Behind the scenes
I’ve hinted here and there about some things going on since late fall to get me back to good running, but I have admittedly not been very detailed. I think it’s a fear that if I backtrack in the process that I seriously jinxed myself by talking about it.
Well enough of that. I think it’s important to be a little more upfront about things that I’ve been doing to help me “come back.” If I ever go down this path again, I need it for my own sake, but I also hope others can learn from this.
I mentioned a long time ago about going to a chiropractor for treatments. I feel this is by far the No. 1 reason I’ve been able to get back to running. Dr. David Wimmer of Wimmer Chiropractic in Forest, Va., has been great. When we first started adjustments of my pelvis and spine back in December he was straight-up honest with me in that if I didn’t get back to running soon that he’d recommend other options. Within a month I was able to get back to 2 miles comfortably and the rest … well, the history is being written now. I’ll be doing a video Q&A with Dr. Wimmer sometime this month to talk about my treatments even more. In the meantime, feel free to “like” him on Facebook and check out his blog here.- I’ve been very good about getting core workouts in a couple of times a week. I know I can do more, but exceeding my max plank goal last month and aiming for 50 consecutive push-ups this month is how I will continue to commit to the core. As I prepare for another marathon later this year, I know that having a strong core will be one of the main reasons of getting to the start (and finish) line healthy.
- I ditched the foam roller, sort of. This may have come up on here, and I know I’ve vocalized it on Twitter, but the foam roller isn’t for me. I may use it from time to time to make sure I don’t have some crazy knots, or to give myself a back massage, but it was not an effective treatment for me. I have a few stretches that are working well for me right now that I will continue to do.
- I am continuing to work on my cadence. One foot last week was right about 90 strikes. In Saturday’s race, I caught myself a few times slipping into my “old” way of running, which I find very uncomfortable despite my brain sometimes wanting to run that way.
- I am avoiding just going out the door and starting my run. I try to walk at least a quarter mile before I start my run and try to end it with a walk of about the same distance. I think too many times last year I just went out the door and ran, and then just finished up directly outside myself and came inside to log my workout on Daily Mile. I believe that my body is thanking me by doing a warm-up and cool down.
- As much as I hated to cut back on this, I run less with my dog Duke. As spring rolls along I may change this, but I realized after it was too late how much my dog pulled me to the left … which is the side of my injury. I believe that my running form is much to blame for my injury, but Duke contributed to it.
There are so many lessons learned here, and so many things I probably should have been talking about all along. What’s done is done, though, and all I can do is keep moving forward with all these things etched in my brain.
Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
RSS
Facebook
Twitter | Web site by Matt Busse
Has Duke taken to giving you dirty looks when you head out without him?
You are an inspiration, David. Keep up the good work.
I for the life of me couldn’t get a chiro referral from my doctorSSSSS<-plural, no one wants me to see a chiro. I know, different injury, different, people, blah blah blah, but I wanted to try to see one anyway.
Adios foam roller!
I don't think I've ever been guilty of just running out the door, I have to walk a block & cross a busy intersection to get into a better running neighborhood. But maybe that one block walk could have been at a quicker pace to get the juices flowing.
I feel the same about my dog, he's too risky to run with. It's too bad, because dogs are great running companions. But so are ipods.
Keep up the good stuff, I don't think you will jinx it.
It’s commendable that you’ve really been looking deep to find improvements - not just analyzing your form but also thinking about the things you do before and after a run. Everything plays a role - sometimes a bigger one than we might think.
In response to Steena: It is really troubling to hear of your struggles to get a referral to see a chiropractor. Without knowing specifics of your state laws, your insurance and your injury, I can only give very general comments but I hope it will be helpful.
Sometimes when primary care providers refuse to give a referral, a call to your insurance company expressing your frustration can be helpful and they can over-ride the referral requirement. Unfortunately, many medical doctors still do not understand the scope of injuries that a chiropractor is very well suited to treat. Others are just holding on to prejudice against another doctor being able to help a patient without the use of drugs or surgery.
Another option would be call local chiropractors to see what primary care providers they have a good relationship with and change your PCP to a more chiro friendly MD. If that doesn’t work then the only option may be to go to the chiropractor and pay out-of-pocket.
Again, these are only general ideas, but I hope it helps you find the relief you DESERVE.
i need to get back into running, ive lost my mojo!
Thanks Dr. Wimmer for the comment. Very informative and good information for everyone to have.
David H.´s last blog ..The next 10k