The Silver Lining

I went to see a sports doctor yesterday, and the verdict is...(drum roll, please)...I am dealing with sciatica, which is the irritation and inflammation of my sciatic nerve that runs up and down my leg. So, the answer to my question I asked him 2.5 seconds after he told me this: How long of no running? The answer: 2 weeks.

While 2 weeks of no running seems like an eternity to me, if I look at the bigger picture it's really nothing. I'm already on Day 3. Just a short blip in time. 2 weeks of not running is better than the alternative - which is continuing to run, not letting the nerve heal, causing it to permanently rupture and end up on crutches. So, while I could moan, bitch and feel sorry for myself, I am choosing to look at the bright side: as I feel there truly are some silver linings with this injury, and I truly believe I will come back stronger post-injury.

Silver Lining #1:
I am cleared to swim to my little heart's content. So, it's not like I have to sit around eating bon bons. I know there are a lot of runners out there who don't know how to swim and/or don't have access to pools. I am lucky to both know how to swim, swim on a regular basis anyway, and have access to two pools free of charge every day of the week. And, they are both within a 2 mile radius of my house. I feel pretty lucky about that.


Silver Lining #2:
I've been wanting to work on my swimming and get better/faster. Running has always been my main focus, so swimming only 2-3 times per week isn't making me much better. But getting in the pool 6 times per week will. Last week I picked up some pointers from the swim coach at Southwestern, and I can use these next two weeks to not only increase my swimming endurance, but to work on improving my stroke technique.

Silver Lining #3:
I am cleared to continue with my Pilates class and do core work. I said I wanted to be more consistent with my core work, and now is the perfect time.

Silver Lining #4:
I am going to be forced to clean up my diet. It's the simple equation of calories in vs. calories out. If I am not going to be running, I can no longer eat like a human garbage disposal who is running 70 miles per week. I am used to eating without caution, but when I started to take a look at my diet yesterday, there are very simple ways for me to not only cut out extra calories, but really clean up my diet. Not eating out with play a big factor in this (sorry, Dan). Subbing fruit for fries, cheese-its, candy and basically many of the unhealthy snacks I seem to partake in; cutting down on the mayo I put on my sandwiches; skipping the cream cheese on my morning bagel; quit eating the ice cream/frozen yogurt desserts at night just out of habit - dessert is not always a must!; cutting out alcohol; not eating an entire basket of chips/queso when we eat Mexican food; not using an entire bag of cheese on my salads - the list could go on and on. A lot of times I eat out of habit rather than hunger, and I think sometimes as a runner I get the mind set that I can eat whatever I want. I wouldn't be surprised if I actually lose weight during my running hiatus just from simply paying more attention to what I shove in my pie hole.

Today's Lunch/Snacks: Raisins, Banana, Apple, Carrots, Greek Yogurt, Turkey Sandwich, Clif Bar

This morning was my first morning trip to the pool in awhile. I was out of bed at 4:45 am, and first in line at the Rec Center at 5:20 am so I could get my choice of lanes when the pool opened at 5:30 am. I swam 3,500 yards and left feeling good...I have to admit I got a little jealous when I saw driving home and saw people running, but my time will come.

To make the day off to an even better start, I arrived at work to receive a Starbucks gift card from a co-worker, thanking me for always helping him out with projects, etc. Let me tell you, that small act of kindness went a long way with me this morning. And, made me remember that there are more important things than running.

Made my day.