In what is now tradition, a sequence of unfortunate events leading up to the much anticipated Long Distance Walk, the body has begun complaining.
Last Fall when it was first officially decided I would attempt, with spousal approval, to trudge the hills and dales of some distant beautiful land. Almost immediately the right hip seriously protested. Pain. More pain. Could hardly sit in the car for the drive to Louisville, could hardly get out of the car or back in, could hardly walk. Intense joint protestations. Olivia suggested I might even have a labral tear which she is so familiar with. Pain diminished a bit in December, but by January returned.
Meanwhile I had already received 2 steroid injections in the spine for my back/rib pain, and neither had given much relief. In returning to Pain Management in January when it was suggested I could get another injection I turned it down. Suggested, half jokingly, if the shot could be given to the hip instead. Sent off to have an x-ray, which showed no bone fractures, which was good. Then sent to Physical Therapy with my former PT buddy - Kimara. Many sessions later the hip pain had totally gone away. Good job Kimara!
Now there was the old Rib/Back problem causing lots of discomfort. Discomfort to the point where occasionally when out walking it was necessary to lay down on the ground or a sidewalk and roll around on the back to relieve the tight pressure. Gary had much success with his Osteopathic physician Dr. Kirsch for his hip. I made an appointment. So began a series of treatments for that old issue from 2.5 years ago and the fall over the railing around the bed. According to the x-rays taken a year ago the fractures had mended, but the bones were displaced.
Shortly after rib/back treatments started with Dr. K, while out walking my usual training route, Old Wausau Road to North Point, the right leg above the ankle joint began to give intense pain. Could hardly walk the remaining mile and a half home with much limping and moaning the entire way. Thankful to have the trekking poles with for support. There was no swelling, no discoloration, but it was almost impossible to step. PAIN! OH NO! Only 7.5 weeks until departure for the C2C. Had to make the final payment to Briganetes in 2 weeks for the accommodations, and I could hardly walk. Major upset, major depression, cried a couple times with frustration. Determined to go if at all possible. Now the osteopathic treatments focused more on calming the leg muscle/tendon down.
Tried icing. Tried heat. Tried resting the leg elevated. Tried various pain meds. Tried various shoes and boots. Tried sock combinations. Tried not walking at all. Tried walking short distances. LEG HURT!! Finally after about 4 weeks one day it was realized I could almost walk without limping and grimacing. Slowly began to take longer walks in running shoes.
Is the body protesting in advance of knowing what is going to be required of it in the way of performance? Or is it a sign of the process of general aging? Not happy with this instrument of mine aka bones, muscles, tendons, joints, skin and all those important parts deep inside. Naughty body.
Discouraging also because throughout those 4 weeks of not carrying of the heavy backpack the body lost some of the fitness it had become accustomed to. That weight will have to be gradually worked up to again, but I am sure it will happen. I have faith and believe my body will cooperate in the end…it had better because I want to do this Long Distance walk so much.
Sent from Outlook
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