Listening To My Body

I've had monthly chiropractic appointments since August 2010 - when my IT band decided it hated me.        Since I started going for my adjustments, I have been feeling great.  Then in September, scheduling got complicated and I couldn't figure out how to make my appointments work, so I stopped going.   I was feeling good, didn't feel any discomfort, so why not?

BIG mistake. 

Then I ran MDI.  The last 4 or 5 miles were on cambered roads.  When for me = hell on my IT band.  Ouch!  It hurt a bit during the race, but then subsided.  Or at least I ignored it.  I didn't feel any discomfort after MDI because I had been taking it easy.  

Then I started adding in more speed work to my schedule.  Last Friday night I decided to do a modified Yasso 800 on the treamill with my 800's @ 3:40, 3:30, and 3:00.  I kicked ass.  I felt great.  

After Sunday's long run with the girls - I started feeling sore.  So sore, I called the chiropractor on Monday for an appointment.  She readjusted me and I felt great once again.  Dr. Johnson is my hero.  

Then this week I hit the treadmills hard again.  Tuesday I ran a progressive run for 6 miles - starting at 7 mph and ending at 8.8 mph.  I felt incredible.  Invincible.  So I did it again on Wednesday, but this time 7 miles.  This time I switched it up with 1 mile at 7 mph (8:34 pace), then 1 mile at 7.5 mph (8:00 pace) - and alternated from there.  Again, I felt awesome.  Sidenote: on Wednesday there were some hs boys on the treadmills beside me and the competitive part of me could not/would not let them run faster than I was.  Am I pathetic or what?  Seriously?  I'm double their age and I'm racing them on a treadmill.  I need to get a life.  

Then while we were walking around last night, trick or treating with the kids, my back started to tense up and I started feeling quite sore - but only on my right side.   Ugh!  So frustrating.  I knew what it meant- the damn IT band.  

Body Wreching my IT band and back - hurts so good

Which meant today was a rest day - well, a stretch, yoga, roll day.  And it's helping.  Quite a bit.  

Working the pigeon pose as well.  My all time favorite pose.

And I had an awesome helper/photographer/partner as well.  Yes, she's 3 and she takes awesome pictures.  Although she's awfully demanding.  Made me say "cheese" about 50 times for the pigeon pose pic. 

What did I learn?  I should probably never ever ever miss a chiropractor appointment again.  I don't like this discomfort.  Ugh.  AND I should probably not push the speed work as much as I did so many days in a row post marathon.  What was I thinking?  I guess I better slow down and listen to my body.  Especially if I want to continue to run and be pain free.