Coinkydink?

I've been suffering a bit from some neck pain as a result of a poor sleeping position on Thursday night. I originally acquired some kind of probable cervical vertebral injury (never diagnosed, this is my feeling only) about 6 years ago on a jet ski. Since then, at least once a year, my neck acts up.. I loose range of motion, some of my muscles spasm, and I develop either a torticollis or pain with all planes of motion. I had planned to do at least one long run this weekend, but on Saturday, just climbing stairs was god-awful. Sunday evening I started feeling a little better, but Monday morning, I did that arms-over-the-head stretch in bed, and felt something 'pop'. My head fell back on the pillow, and I had no strength to lift it up again. Fighting panic, I took many deep breaths until the pain subsided. I still had sensation and movement in both hands, so that calmed me down. I managed to shower, but could not blow dry my hair because any additional tug of the brush forcing me to stabilize my head was very uncomfortable. I took 400mg of ibuprofen and got my ass to work. My friend Trish taped my upper trap to inhibit it, and I started to feel human again. When I woke up this morning, I was suffering all over again, but this time, my left shoulder blade was numb! As I drank my morning coffee, and tried desperately to ignore the lack of sensation, I was actually thinking about running. It had just rained, I heard it on the skylights in the kitchen. It was 45 degrees. But I needed a reason to make me believe I was going to get over this. I've gone as long as 2 weeks with remnants of cervical dysfunction, but  every time it happens, I think this is the time it will do me in. This was my running day, and I had to at least try. 

Getting into my sports bra and tight base layer top was a struggle. The rain had stopped, but I decided I would need a light jacket to keep  me dry if it started again. I really don't remember putting on all my equipment, I think I could do it in my sleep now.
I jogged out the back door, around the house and to the driveway, and felt ok. I started out into the street. Every foot strike caused me to wince a bit, but I found I was feeling it less and less the further I went. I was following miCoach so my attention was attuned to the fact that the UK lady was telling me that I was out of the blue zone again, and to slow down.
It's a little disconcerting running in the streets and having to cross when you can't turn your head. I thought briefly about running backwards a few yards to see what the traffic behind me might be doing, but then I'd loose sight of the traffic in the other direction. It was a little tense and awkward, but I managed. Because I hadn't run in 4 or 5 days, I did have to stop about 5 times and walk - but that didn't bother me like it usually does. I was grateful I had just gotten out.
By the time I got home, my neck felt a little stiffer, if that was at all possible - but by the time I settled in front of the computer with my Shakeology recovery drink, I first noticed that I was able to drop my chin down to my chest farther. About 15 minutes later, as I was getting undressed, I was able to pull everything over my head with very little pain. Coincidence? Blood flow? Endorphins? I don't feel like I'm in the midst of a runner's high...

3 hours later, as I'm driving to one of my home care patients, I'm actually giddy. Happy and feeling GREAT! Watch me turn my head! See how I can push my long ass Mini Cooper driver's side door open without feeling a thing!?  Is THIS a runner's high? Hours later? Or am I just so happy I'm feeling good after 5 days of misery?

It doesn't matter. I took another Advil a few hours ago.  I still have 50% limited rotation to the left, but the pain is substantially less. I may get all stiff again tomorrow morning. But I think this is finally the beginning of the end. I want to run again on Thursday, and now I feel I can HO HO over to Bethpage on Saturday.

Today's miCoach.

Magellan Data

Some how the Magellan did not map the beginning of the run, but the data seems to be all there, regardless.

Over and out, but not down and out.
TPP