I actually have a pretty serious post to share with you today due to the overwhelming amount of emails I received regarding the condition of my back and when I will be running again. I really appreciate your interest and figured you deserve to be filled in, so here we go! 
Philip and I running through the neighborhood (2/2011)
In December 2010, while running Winter Track, I started noticing pains in my lower left back. At first I thought I just didn’t stretch enough that day and shrugged it off. It kept coming back and after a week of practices and my Black Belt Test, I realized that it needed some attention. Immediately my Mom called an Orthopedic and I got X-Rays, a MRI, and it was confirmed that I had a stress fracture on my sacrum (where my back connects to my pelvis.)
Running my first 5K – The Flying Pig
The Orthopedic informed me that I would not be able to do Winter Track and had to take a minimum of 2 months off from running. Let me tell you, it sucked. I always took the ability to run for granted and didn’t realize how much it meant to me until I was unable to do it anymore. I was (literally) counting down the days until I could run again.
Sam and I after our first XC Meet
So naturally, when the first week of February rolled around, I hit the pavement and went for my first run in 2 months. I did a mile (the maximum distance I’m allowed to do for now) and felt wonderful and pain-free. The time wasn’t too great – 9:08 – but I figured I could improve it when I got back into consistent running. The next few times I went running I did improve by an entire minute! I thought my stress fracture was gone for good, but it wasn’t. 
Phil and I before the Turkey Trot 5K - My Current PR
A few days ago I noticed a pain in my lower back, right above the tailbone. Once again, I am gave my body a few days to rest, in hopes that it was just a lack of stretching or something minor like that. I think it was, considering Phil and I went for a 1 mile run yesterday and it felt fine. Yay!
Currently my plan is to ease back into running and do approximately 2-3 miles a week. After a few weeks increase it to 5-6 miles and so on. Hopefully, I’ll be back to running 30 miles a week in no time! 
As for Spring Track, I’m hoping my body will be ready by the time practices start, but I’m not going to push myself. I think healing definitely takes priority over sports now. Plus, I’d hate to injure it again and miss Cross Country – my all-time favorite sport.
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Questions of the Day:
- Have you every been sidelined due to an injury?
- Do you like to run? How many miles do you run in a week?
Phew! It feels so good to get all of my thoughts on paper the internet. I hope it wasn’t too wordy for you – I tried to break all the writing up with some pictures. Hope they helped.
Have a great Thursday and Friday!
