Since late August, I’ve been struggling with an issue in my left leg. The issue came and went and came and went and so on and so on. It didn’t get worse but it wasn’t getting better either. (Oh yes, I do realize training in Tahoe probably wasn’t my smartest move. But honestly, I felt good for most of that weekend. Only during my last workout, the run, did I start experiencing discomfort and when I did I stopped. I know, I know, I probably should have shut it down before that weekend.) Perhaps I should have done what several professional athletes do at the end of their seasons – absolutely nothing. They take a complete break. Instead I tried to nurse my injury by easing up, increasing the icing, stretching more, getting a massage and avoiding lower body strength training. But none of this seemed to make the issue truly go away. So two weeks ago I saw a physical therapist (PT). (Side note: Seeing a PT is a big deal for me. At some point I’ll write more about this. For now I’ll just say it was difficult calling to make the appointment, sitting there with the PT as he tried to diagnose me and then talking to him about what I need to do next.) After a week of following the PT’s instructions and feeling no change, I decided to take a break from working out.
It’s been a week now and I’m struggling quite a bit; I feel off. I can’t describe how much I miss exercising, going to the gym, sweating, pushing myself, increasing my heart rate and having my special time with Noah. Talk about a void! It’s more than a void!
So this morning I decided to take my gym’s hot yoga class. The minute I walked into the locker room I felt better. And just five minutes into class I felt great! Going through the poses felt like numerous breaths of fresh air. We’ll see if the stretching, mild strengthening and loosening up help address the issue in my left leg. I know it’s already helped the rest of me.
I Tri 4 You 