After running the Self-Transcendence Marathon with surprisingly little back pain, 5 days later I attended the USATF-NJ 5k XC Championship. Kim, Steve, and I met early to use the race as hill workout. We ran 8 miles before the race, on the rolling hilly course and then lined up in the heat/humid to race the last 3.1 of our day's mileage.
Throughout the warm up, I felt my back getting bothersome. I took any opportunity I could to stretch in the only way the brings me relief by leaning forward until whatever hurts just decides to stop hurting. I was still a little hopeful that the race might be painless, as I just managed to run a marathon so I should be able to run 3 miles.
Turns out that was not the case. I did not run a terrible race. I found a pace that allowed me to run without needing to stop. I average 7:33 per mile. It wasn't my best experience. The pain is intermittent while running. I do have some pain free moments still. But I knew I would need to see a doctor.
The very next Monday I called to make an appointment with a sports medicine and spine specialist. I wasn't able to get an appointment for 10 days from when I called. Until then, I continued to run because that is what I do for myself and with clients (while monitoring pain and trying to identify triggers, to no avail).
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