Back

I had a number of clever (well that is debatable) titles for this entry, but I decided to just stick with Back as their really isn't much funny about it. Every once in awhile my back does a weird thing were I get these spasms in the lower back area. It usually begins with improper lifting, this time bucketing water out of the bird's pool. Oddly I didn't think I was doing anything out of the ordinary, maybe I moved too fast - lift with the legs (and arms) and go slow. Once the initial spasm happens my back seems to tighten up considerably and I get more periodic spasms. In the past it has gotten better over time, just a matter of waiting it out and taking aspirin. Yesterday I thought I was getting better and was moving around pretty well and pain free. Last night I got up to go to the bathroom and wham, another spasm and here I am back to pain. Needless to say this has kept me from running. My last run I did too early in my recovery and I blame the 10 miles on keeping me in pain. I have to remember to get over this fully before I jump back on the roads. Frustrating!

Back twinge

I went out for a short canyon run and on my way there I pulled a muscle in the left side of my back, just out of the blue. I wasn't going fast or making any sort of adjustment, nothing out of the ordinary or different from a medium paced gate. I slowed down and walked for a bit and the spasm seemed to lesson, but I knew from experience in the past this was gonna bug me no matter what I did. Hurray, I was right! Its an odd feeling as it doesn't ache all the time and it is such a localized muscle that I only feel it in the one particular area.

I have never been a big fan of pain killers other than tylenol or acetaminophen, but I had some vicodin in the medicine cabinet. I settled down in the late evening to watch a taped football game and decided, what the heck, I'll take one. I can really see how they could become addictive if you were experiencing constant pain. It did do the trick, and regardless of how exciting the game was, I was pretty mellow! (Can I even say that with an exclamation point?)

I took yesterday off from running and I am doing the same today. I am going to do more ice and just take it easy. I am hoping to finish my miles for the week tomorrow, but I am not going to push it. RICE (well no elevation anyway, so RIC) will be my main diet.