I’m T-minus four days for my race and my ability to think coherently is gone, so here are your bullet-points for the day:
- I (finally) got to see my Sports Doc and PT yesterday! I love them, in spite of the three week wait to get in. After a very thorough exam, the doctor explained that, yes, the problem is my IT, but not because it’s tight (like most IT injuries). Apparently my left hip abductor is weak, which causes my right hip to drop every time I take a step on my left leg (your hips should remain level when you walk or run). When my right hip drops, it pulls the left IT band taut, which is what’s causing the inflammation and pain. Okay, good to know! My PT gave me some exercises to work on the abductor, and both of them were cautiously optimistic about me running a great race on Sunday.
- It’s all about the ice, ice, baby. ding ding ding da-da ding ding Both the doctor and the PT said that pretty much the only thing that will help me between now and Sunday (because the abductor exercises are more for long-term recovery) is to ice my knee four or five times a day. Can I tell you how strange it feels to ice something that doesn’t hurt?!? But here I sit with a bag of blue ice and a dish towel around my leg, because I’m all about maximizing my potential.
- I have a serious case of race week paranoia. When my kids come to kiss me, I skitter my feet back so they don’t accidentally step on me. When The Hubs hugs me, I worry that he’s going to break my ribs. While out for my run yesterday, every crack in the sidewalk loomed like a canyon, waiting to trip me. I’m deathly afraid of my cat or my dog jumping on me – I’m not sure how much damage a 9-pound cat or a 16-pound dog could do, but it freaks me out anyway.
I hope you’re having a great week – Happy Whatever-Day-it-is-that’s-Not-Quite-Race-Day!
Kovas Palubinskas says
Icing a knee that doesn’t hurt? Fearful of your own family? Taper madness!
Laurie says
Embrace the taper madness!! If the cat and dog joined forces, that would be 25 pounds of fluff…. beware!
Glad you have a positive prognosis from your docs (even if it was cautiously optimistic) for the race, hope the stretches help & also the random knee icing. 🙂
Tina @GottaRunNow says
One of my fears is that my dog will step on my foot. Ice away!
And then run fast at the marathon!!!
Anne says
Hilarious…love these taper madness posts 🙂
Ice indeed and then get ‘er done!!
Rad Runner says
You are to funny, this morning for my two, ONE TWO.. mile run, I did the same ammusing thing, swinted at every crack, bug, car.. etc…
RockStarTri says
Now if you do you hair like Vanilla Ice that could be an interesting blog photo! I always get race paranoia.
Heather says
I was rocking out to ice ice baby at kettlebells last night! 🙂
Stay away from all the germ infested, bone break endangering kiddos and pets!
ajh says
Funny how paranoid one can get about injury just before a big race. Ice ice ice and do well.
Middle Name Marie says
The week before my race, I worried about everything–was my throat getting sore? was my knee hurting? I seriously used hand sanitizer every hour!!!
Ha Ha! You’ll do great!!! Good luck!!!
Zaneta says
Taper madness for sure! lol… good luck this weekend! 😀
Alma says
Hang in there!
The Green Girl says
Do those exercises, it will make a world of difference! I’m living proof!
Johann says
Sounds like a normal taper week to me. You will be fine and have a great race. Relax and run!
The Green Girl says
That’s too funny! I’m a grammar/spelling Nazi, too, but when I write by hand, I only use lowercase letters.
Big Daddy Diesel says
Ahhhhhhh I see its taper time!!!
My pre race fear is not being on time, though I always am, like 2 hours early, but still its a fear
Kristin says
LOL!! Taper time makes you mad! Keep up the proper resting and icing!
Laura says
Man those hips can be evil!