Oh My Aching Arms / Back at It! / I Feel Weak

Clearly I've gone through a decent range of physical/emotional feelings the past few weeks.

Oct. 30: I went to Crossboot, as I usually do on a Wednesday night, and, like usual, I pushed myself through a tough workout. When I woke up the next morning, I could barely bend my arms because it was too painful. Washing my hair, brushing my teeth--everyday things I never think about caused tear-inducing pain. (I didn't notice any particular moment of pain during the previous night's workout, but I did push hard to get through some plyo-push-ups and did about a ton of dips.) I went to work but then scheduled an "emergency" massage to have the upper backs of my arms worked on--my triceps, but also down to my elbow. That helped a little bit, but when I woke up the next morning still in significant pain, I began to get a little worried. This was beyond sore-muscle pain. When Saturday came and I woke up for my first long run since my marathon, I got about a mile in and couldn't run any farther. The pain in my arms, just from running, was too much. So I walked six miles. Then I really began to worry. I happened to see this article floating around Facebook (also one that my sister pointed me to, not taking into consideration my serious case of hypochondria), about a condition called rhabdomyolysis. After reading the athlete's story in the article, I was convinced that's what I had, and I'd never have muscle tone in my arms again. But then on Monday, I felt normal again. Crisis averted.

Nov. 9: I finally had a decent long run since my marathon. It was 13 miles, which, because of timing before my upcoming half marathon, needed to be my longest run before the race. I'd only have one more long run, which in my mind should be a taper run. And while the 13 felt pretty tough, I was happy to have done it. And on my next two runs after, my pace was coming back down to pre-marathon--actually a pre-marathon-training--numbers. So I felt great! My new kicks helped:

Brooks Ghost 6--same trusty shoe, but updated with actual colors in the wide size!

Nov. 13 (tonight): I went to Crossboot and endured the typically grueling workout. What felt different, though, is that I had to modify down some of the exercises I usually have been able to do without modification. I got so frustrated with myself when I could barely do a short set of push-ups (granted, I had previously done 40 burpees and several plank exercises). One of the coaches had to motivate me through the set of modified push-ups, which I was doing inclined, off of a giant tire. It made me want to cry. And that's how I left class tonight. I recognized how ridiculous it was to cry over not being able to do push-ups as well as I have before, but I just felt like crying anyway. So I did. By myself. On my car ride home.

When I got home, I talked to Tim, who helped put things in perspective. My main focus for the past several months has been marathon training. And while that race happened a month ago now, I had cut back on strength-training leading up to and right after the marathon. It makes sense that I would've lost some strength. Also, I used to go to Crossboot classes two or three times a week, when I was single and looking for things to occupy my time, which is when I was at my strongest. Now I go once a week, if I'm lucky. I guess I just have to choose what's most important to spend my time on, and I think I have. I then have to accept that I may not be a push-up champion anytime soon.