Changes

Normally I get behind on posting to the blog because I've been running too much... This time that is not the case. I'm actually not running right now.

Where to begin...?

So I did a 20 miler a few weeks ago on a Saturday, followed by a 10 miler on Sunday. I was feeling great during both runs. I took a day off on Monday, ran 4 miles on Tuesday, took a day off on Wednesday because my parents came into town,  and then headed out for a 6-7 mile run on Thursday afternoon. Got about 4 miles into the run when I experienced a terrible pain in my lower abdomen- a pain so sharp that I couldn't stand up straight. I had been experienced a milder abdominal pain on and off during runs in previous weeks, but nothing as painful as that.  I had to make my way back to the house, walking and jogging when I could. By the time I got back to the house I could barely think.  The pain stayed for the next week or so- not as bad as it was initially- but dull and persistent every day. I went to my doctor, who then sent me to a specialist. They believe I have Ischemia, a result of lowered blood supply to my "gut" while running. It appears to occur with long distance runners, and usually repairs itself. Mine seems to be taking longer to heal. Yeah, not pleasant.  We won't know for sure until we do more tests, but they have pretty much ruled out anything serious.

So plans change, and I haven't been able to run at all. Though the pain is mostly gone, running brings it back.

Instead,   I have been spending time with my family- wonderful time that I miss when I am running half of the day on a Saturday and Sunday. Though I am disappointed that I had put so much time already training for Sunmart, the alternative is great. I have a lot more time to dedicate to reading with Marcel, making time for myself, and baking(!) lots of yummy holiday treats.

I'm looking forward to getting back on the trails, but for now my exercise will be at the gym or around the block with the dogs.  I doubt I will be keeping up this blog, at least not for now. Instead I have been posting a "Photo of the Day" on the other blog. 

Take care y'all!

Comments

[Marshall]

Hey, sorry to hear about the pain, but I can totally sympathize with your desire to be with your family. I've been having the same struggle and think I've found a happy medium.

In any case, take care of yourself and get fully healed. There is a great three day race in March in Arkansas (Three Days of Syllamo) that you might think about - 20k, 60k, 50k. It's a great time and a great race.

Take care and hope to see you guys at a race sometime soon.

[tj]

hey jennifer, I was at Bandera this weekend and Joe mentioned you were hurt. I'm sorry to hear about it, but glad you can find the positive.

Take care, and hope you heal quickly.

[Anne]

Yikes, that does sound painful. But it is nice to reconnect with people close to you, isn't it? I think sometimes we get so caught up in the training and racing that we forget time doesn't stop for everyone around us. Glad there's a happy ending here, at least on the family front. May the stomach heal soon too.

[Rich]

Take care of yourself and hope things work out in the end. Enjoy the time off!

[Sarah]

Sorry to hear about your medical problem! : ( I hear ya on having more time now for other (good) things besides running. But I hope you are back to the trails soon!

[Jessica]

ewww. yuck. sorry to hear about the Ischemia. Well - at least its not serious!

[christine taylor]

gosh, i hope your starting to feel better. still, i know the time catching up with your non-running life has it's upside too. i like to bake too and i've been experimenting with bread....tricky but tasty. enjoy this downtime and get better soon!

[Ginger Breadman]

sorry to hear about the pain - maybe your body just wanted to do some baking :) I love the photos on the 'other blog'!

[MikeW]

That sucks... this is weird... Two of my running friends have been sidelined this week due to stomach pains. One went to the DR, and is still waiting to hear back, but she ran the Turkey Trot today anyway. She sais it still hurt, but not as bad. The other is just going to see if it goes away before he checks out a Dr.

[Robert Key]

My name is Robert Key and I am a runner from Houston. I saw your blog listed when I was looking through the RBF directory and very much enjoyed reading some of your entries. I have a number of friends that do Sunmart every year, mostly members of Fort Bend Fit, so I'm sure your paths have crossed. I hope that the pain in your abdomen has subsided. I am fighting a rather nasty shin splint in my left leg at the moment.

I have a web site at http://www.faithfulsoles.com that is inspirational stories for walkers, runners and athletes of all ages and abilities. A new feature I have recently added to the site is a categorized and searchable Running Blog Database where members of my site can find a blog of interest to them based on other walkers, runners or athletes of similar abilities, goals and interests. To my knowledge it is the only one of its kind specifically for walkers and runners on the internet. I would appreciate it if you would take a moment to put a link to your blog in our Running Blog Database. Just click on "Link your running blog" under "Free Features" from the home page. If you want to learn more about my running background, just click on "Meet Robert" from the main menu , or to learn more about my involvement in the running community, click on "Faithful Soles in the news" in the left column under "Weekly Features". I also have a blog that I just started at http://faithfulsoles.blogspot.com, but most of my running information is on my web site. Also, if there is anyone else in your blogger network that you think would be interested in listing their blog, please feel free to pass this information along to them. Thanks and continued good luck in your training.