You would think an experienced runner would know when to ease up. You would also think an experienced runner would heed the nagging symptoms creeping up, the warning signs.
Well, this experienced runner did not and now I am paying the price.
Things were looking good. I had the October "Steamtown Marathon" in my sites; my goal was set. Yet, alas, as my mileage increased, too quickly I might add, my body suffered.
This past November, I had back surgery because I had three herniated discs. The surgery was an attempt to remedy the nerve damage and constant, extreme pain, which radiated from the back, into the hip and down the entire left leg all the way to the foot. The cause of how I ended up with three herniated discs isn't important. But I will mention it was not from running.
By February of this year, less than three months after surgery, I started exercising again. At first, in the form of walking. Even that was a thrill after the year I had gone through prior to the November surgery.
Prior to the surgery I did extensive research and finally opted for a new procedure which did not require spinal fusion or metal hardware being installed in my back. This also means that a few years from now I will not have to deal with scar tissue building up, pressing on the nerves and requiring more surgery to relieve that pain. This also meant that I would be able to run again; which was not an option (in my case) had I chosen spinal fusion.
The main goal in my mind was, of course, being able to run again. Heck, being able to walk again was thrilling and being able to bend, carry things and drive a car again was an exciting outcome to this surgery. These were things that I was unable to do or that caused intense pain prior to surgery.
So here I was, gearing up for the marathon, getting to the point where I was starting to do weight training, doing track work outs, speed work and of course making those long runs that are necessary for any long distance race. I was up to running 8 miles. I was up to doing two hour runs.
Now the pain is back, but thankfully, it is less intense than it was before the operation. My body started giving me clues that after not being able to run for one year, and because I had gained a bit of extra weight due to the inability to
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