Sunshine and Survival

I have a really great husband.  And I'm not just saying that because Monday is Valentine's Day.  Our son, Rowan, sleeps from about 8:00 pm to 7:30 am.  Every weekend, Tim gets up with him at 7:30 and lets me sleep in.  Due to the seizure medication I take, coupled with training...I require a lot of sleep.  Sometimes hard to come by with two kids and a very busy schedule.  So, a public shout out to my husband for helping me get extra rest.

This morning, it was not too much extra rest, as I felt Rowan plop down beside me in bed at about 7:50.  Tim was going to run 12 miles with the group.  I would wait to do my run later.  We could have taken Rowan out in the stroller today, but Amelia was here too.  She slept to almost 10:00!

I had a great morning with my kids, and around 11:00 it was time to run.  Kathy was maybe going to join me, but Tim told me she was there for the group run and didn't contact me, so it didn't seem likely.  I headed out about 11:15 for ten miles.  As I left, I thought "That's short.  Just 10 miles?"  I love that feeling.  It was 37 degrees.  I wore capri tights and a long-sleeved shirt.  I was overdressed.  Two miles in, I was wishing I had on short sleeves.  Love that feeling, too.  The sun was vibrant.  The roads were dry.  It was not the gray, depressing, slushy atmosphere that I've become accustomed to as of late.

I headed out to do the county route--through town, out (or up) I-street, and then around a bunch of country (read:  hilly) roads.  Dealt with Mugsy the dog.  I've figured out he is actually a wimp.  If I just toss a rock his way he leaves me alone.  About a mile in the right-sided pain started.  It stayed with me the whole time, sometimes worse than others.  I felt a few twinges on the left, but it was pretty predominantly right-sided today.  Also went around my side and back.  I'd say it was a 5/10 today.  I really can't wait til we determine what this is.  It aches as I'm sitting here.  I know that running has not caused it, but it certainly exacerbates it.

I really love to run.  But being in consistent pain every time I'm out there has sucked the joy out of running for me.  I'm just surviving it for now.  It's extraordinarily frustrating because my legs--which have been my issue in the past--are completely healthy.  I'm training smart, I'm recovering.  I have no niggles.  And now this.  I'm not worried about speed.  I'm just trying to get the miles under me until I figure out what's going on.  It's definitely not a place I like being in, but it's the hand I've been dealt for right now.

I'm scheduled to go 17 tomorrow, but I think I might be doing 20.  Whatever the case, I'm looking forward to sleeping in a bit.