Sorry I've been so quiet lately. (Bet you don't hear that often from me). I've been laid up a bit recently. My kid woke up the other day with some bad dreams and called for me. So, in a hurry, I flung my right leg out and over the edge of the bed to jump up and go running into his room. There was this pop in my butt/hip region, and a bit of pain shot up my lower back and down my leg. I dropped back into bed and laid there for another hour or so until it subsided.
This didn't come without warning. I've had a stiff lower back since Rockburn, but was putting off doing more core strength work until after cross season, and a bit of a rest up through the New Year. Smart choice there, asshole...
That was Wednesday. I tried stretching it and going for a bike ride - sometimes that loosens things up - but that didn't work too well. So I tried ice and heat packs and lots of vitamin I, along with laying most of the day on my back in the livingroom, and hitting the sack for a good 11 hours each night. That didn't help. Standing hurt, sitting hurt, lying down hurt, but it hurt considerably less than the other positions.
So yesterday I went to NightTime Pediatric, and got a diagnosis. It looks like that pop I heard was a muscle tearing, specifically one that ties my spine to my hip. According to the Physician's Assistant, it goes under a bunch of bones and is hard to massage out, and the pain pattern is consistent with that, rather than a busted vertebra or messed up sciatic nerve.
Yay! I think... she said it will take quite a while to heal, but there's not a lot to be done except lots of heat and ice, and taking some relaxants and anti-inflammatory drugs. No fun drugs, FWIW.
One big shot of Tolderol (sp?) in the ass later, and a bit of Flexeril and Naprosen, and I was on my way.
It's a little better today but I don't want to jinx things by sitting here typing away.
Suffice to say, that was a final kick in the ass, in a year that brought me many kicks in the ass. There is nothing magical about the transition between December 30th and January 1st, except insofar as it gives us a crutch, a reminder that we can begin again anew. We can do that every day, really, but it's easier to approach the year if we have some clear milestones, including a clear starting point. Mine is today, or maybe tomorrow. In addition to knocking out a hundred miles at Baker's Dozen, finishing 50th Percentile in my cross races and hitting a svelte 215, and 274 riding days, I'm going to add: do some core strength work on every single riding day.
I'm going to add this as a goal because core strength is one thing most of us don't do enough of, and because I've had back problems every couple years of my adult life, normally during periods when I don't do core work.
No, the generalized and universally applicable fact that we cyclists need core strength work isn't my real motivator here. My real motivator is that I'm tired of needlessly busting my ass.
Happy New Year, all. If you have the guts to make yourself publicly accountable, drop your annual goals in comments below. I'm sure your fellow readers would be happy to help hold you accountable for reaching them.
12 comments:
that's a bummer about your injury - don't know how old you are but i'll say it anyway - it sucks getting old - the loss of agility especially - that I miss and feel and I am not even "old" yet. nevermind the whole bending down knee thing - ack. heal quick.
Night time pediatric? Aren't you a little outside of their normal patient population? Anyhow, if you feel better because of what the PA told you, great. However, I'll tell you that you can't get an accurate diagnosis about back pain that easily (you'd need multiple visits and diagnostics). That being said, all that matters is that you get treated correctly, which is according to your symptoms, not your diagnosis. Hearing your mechanism, I would be surprised if it was a torn muscle. Hopefully you are feeling better. I'm here for you as a sounding board if you need me!
Your own personal long distance (soon to be VERY long distance) PT
I can sympathise. A clydesdale with low core strength has rupture written all over it. I've been battling to stay clear of twinges while I continue to cultivate my svelte 265lb frame.
Sometimes life feels like one of those round blow up dolls with the sand in the bottom. You know, the kind that return to standing after you knock them over. But every time you hit it, maybe a little air comes out and eventually it just lists over in deflate. Hopefully something or someone will come along and give you a little more air when you need it.
Lindsey, if I didn't know better, I would swear you just suggested he get a bl*w j*b.
So was your kid having a nightmare that his dad was getting injured?
I think that you should listen to Beth. Your problem is definitely out of their area of expertise.
Jonathan
I had some bad back problems in my 40's. Now I am 60 and I seldom have back pain. Just sayin'-this sh@t doesn't last forever, it just seems like it at the time! Good luck and get well!
Ok, I'll take the plunge.
1. Getting under 225.
2. My first Century.
3. New Gary Fisher 29er!!
4. Adding that garage and bathroom to the new house.
Hope you get feeling better soon.
im feeling the same way....lindsey, what your number again?!?!
the real question is which of beth's comments is jon referring to?
either way, you probably can't go wrong.
Lindsey, I consider it a win/win.
Hard to say who won that thread...
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