Two Years Ago and an Update

First of all, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your comments and emails regarding my current running situation. It is so comforting to know so many of you guys have had similar experiences and came back to be awesome.

It also really blows me away how generous you are with advice and recommendations, and the fact that anyone cares at all about my running and well being gives me a serious case of the warm and fuzzies. So thank you

Update
Well, I’m not running yet. But there is progress. I’ve been rolling with my trigger point roller, self massaging, stretching, doing PT, icing, etc. But since I don’t have any time to waste, I also made an appointment for ART.

ART (Active Release Technique) is a “soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.” It’s supposed to really help IT Band problems quickly. And let’s be honest, I will do anything right now to get back on the roads and to that starting line on November 6.

I went to my first session last night before class and I’m feeling optimistic. My doctor treats Ironmen and tons of runners, and promised he’d get me back to running in no time. The ART session itself was a little slash a lot painful, but I basically told Dr. Levine to beat the crap out of my leg and that I did not care about the pain.

I go back Wednesday and will probably try a run on Thursday if all goes well. Fingers crossed!

In other news…
Today is kind of a significant day for me, but I actually wasn’t planning on mentioning it on the bloggie.

But because my running situation has so quickly morphed from full speed ahead to the NYC Marathon to injured and large question mark, I’ve changed my mind.

This little injury is once again forcing me to put things in perspective.

See, two years ago today exactly, I was admitted to the emergency room with a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) and deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the deep veins of my leg). I’ve written about the story a few times, and talk often about how important it is for people to know the signs, symptoms and risk factors of serious blood clots. Because they can kill you.

They almost killed me, but for some reason they didn’t.

I was in the hospital for about three days, and still remember every detail. From the crazy roommate I had named Dianne, to the lack of showering, the crappy food, annoying IVs, the loud beeping that went off when my resting heart rate dropped really low (running side effect!), phone calls from loved ones, etc.

More than all of this, I remember how much time I had to think.

I thought about how scared I was

I thought about how safe I felt in the hospital if anything else happened to me

I thought about how I would give anything to get out of there

I thought about all of the things that really mattered to me

I thought about all of the stupid things I thought mattered before

I thought about the phone calls I didn’t get

I thought about the phone calls I got

I thought about how lucky I was to be alive

I wondered why I was alive

I wondered if I’d ever be able to run again

I thought about all of the runs I took for granted

I thought about all the people I took for granted

I thought about the people that didn’t deserve to be thought about

And I thought about what it felt like to be alive. What it really felt like.

I learned that when faced with a serious health issue, all you want to do is get better. Even though one of the things I asked my doctor before I was discharged was “when can I run again?”, it wasn’t my priority. I just wanted to be ok and do normal things, like walk down the street, cook, or sit on my couch.

My mind often goes back to this stretch of three days when faced with other challenges, like say, a running injury at a very inopportune time, and helps me put things in perspective. It’s kind of like my baseline for assessing things.

Can’t run? At least you’re able breathe and walk wherever and whenever you want.

Crappy day at work? At least you have a job (with insurance, that helps pay for insane medical bills) and can go to work every day.

Stressed out? Stop. You’ve gotten through much worse.

Cranky? Think about all of the other people that didn’t get out of the hospital in just three days.

So yeah, I’m still bummed about this running setback. But that’s all it is, just a setback. Because I’ll be able to run again, whether it be next week or next month.

Although I’m definitely doing my damndest to make it closer to next week than next month.

Question: Have you ever tried ART? What makes you stop and put things in perspective during crappy times?