Racing year over ... Maybe

I have made peace with the fact that even if I get my issues fixed up, my racing season is over. I was reluctant to let go of my goal to run a sub 3 marathon every year. I really thought I would be able to do this for many years to come. The streak will end at 9 years in a row. The "Maybe" is for a miracle - Miracles do happen, but I am not expecting one. I have looked at Marathonguide.com for what would be possible. The latest one in WI is November 10th ~ Mad City. The latest one that would work logistically is December 15th ~ Dallas White Rocks. Four things would have to happen: 1) Specialist sees no long term issues in my vertebrea if I keep running, 2) I have to be injury free and 3) I have to lose 30 pounds and 4) I have to have enough time to actually train injury free for at least 12 weeks ... so basically be fixed up by September 15th. Like I said, it would take a miracle. Good running to all!

Looking into the future

I am still fighting hip and back pain resulting from a March 3 downhill ski crash.  It came to a head June 26th when I was already tired, but ran a couple hours on the Ice Age trail from Greenbush.  I had to drive right by for a 2 day off site meeting and could not resist.

Since then I have made some bad choices to not cross train and eat and drink without much control.  This has put 15-20 pounds on my already not too svelte frame.

I did see the general MD before vacation and I am now looking to get an appointment with a specialist.  The MD did an ex-ray that showed some mild compression between a few vertebrae.

I see it likely as two unrelated issues.  My back has a softball sized area that has remained tender / sore to the touch since the ski crash, it is half way between my spine my side.  The mild compression of vertebrae would seem normal to me after 47,000 miles of running the last 10 years.

My DW and I have been thinking about retirement (15 years away) and trying to plan what we want to do during retirement.  Looking into the future, I want to be active into my 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond.  I am seeing this issue as my "50,000 mile check up"

With the goal of being active in a relatively pain free manner, is it wise to continue to run?  I hope the answer is yes and I am able to work through the current issue and the compression of vertebrae is a non-issue.

I am also more than willing to accept alternative ways to get my aerobic fix.

Until I get an answer,  I have started to jog again on treadmill and trail trail to minimize the impact.  I have made a plan to lose those 20 pounds by mid-September.

I am guessing it will be a couple of weeks before I know anything and may be a couple of months before I have the real answer.

Good running to all!