Srf And Shingles

While I wasn’t out there pounding the roads on Sunday – I was at home wishing I was……instead I was home battling the burning and pain that comes with shingles.    Great timing, an itchy arm all week, turns a little worse on Friday and then overnight flares up badly……Saturday morning trip to the Dr (after a 2km run that I still went out for…….despite being in pain) and find out it’s shingles.   To be honest, it was a relief of sorts as I was getting quite worried about what it might be.   I knew something wasn’t right, but wasn’t sure. I felt quite odd and had a burning pain right through my chest to the back and my left arm had a lovely red rash and was burning and prickling.  Maybe I should have thought shingles, but it wasn’t the distribution I would have expected and in my line of work, I often see the facial distribution.    I have T2 distribution and thankfully, my face has escaped.  I have been told that as I got onto the anti virals within the required 72 hours, that the post neuralgia is less likely……..fingers crossed.

So, my week so far has been limited to sitting at home, draped in a cold towel, and popping pain killers like they’re candy!    Thankfully, today, I have a little relief.    It has given me a chance to read all the SRF reports and it sounds like it was a tough one out there.

Running wise – I was pretty much on track to give my PB a run for it’s money on Sunday, so I’m frustrated. I was also hoping to back up again at Penrith in 2 weeks and see how that went…….not sure I’ll make it.  

Training has been going well and even I’m surprised how my times are coming down.   I had a bit of a flare up with my breathing issues again, but suspect that it has something to do with my really tight shoulders…..so have my trusty physio working on that as well as putting my hips and lower back into place.  As painful as some of my visits might be, they are helping.    

I also quite by chance discovered (re discovered) the wonderful world of the Alexander technique the other week.  It was fantastic.  Long story, but one of the instructors at work gave me a session and I just sort of floated through the rest of the afternoon.   It took things just one step further and rather than trying to be aware of how to hold my back/neck/shoulders/hips etc that I have been trying to do…….it all just happened and there was no tension.   Awesome!   I am seriously going to look at having some regular lessons so I am better equipped to keep it up myself.  

I had been having long rehearsals and practicing a lot for a big concert last week, so that wasn’t helping my back either……so it all came at a good time to loosen things up.   I’m working on maybe another couple of things to help with reducing the impact on my hips and back while I’m running too…..but will have to see what happens there.   Will report back once I know.

My big goal is still sitting there…..and hopefully is still possible but it will depend on how long it takes to shake these shingles.   On one hand It has made me feel even more underdone, out of my depth and very unsure if I should go ahead with it, but on the other hand, it has made me even more determined to get better and train harder and get on with it.    Lots to consider, but It’s so much better knowing that I’m not going to make the decision on my own…in fact, I’m not going to make the decision at all.  I have negsplit to get me through with training and advice and will be guided by him…….Hmm, maybe that’s not such a good idea…he does come up with some crazy plans for himself now and then.   But….I do trust him and if anyone knows what I’m capable of running, it will be him.   That, and hopefully he’ll be out there with me to get through it.

Life other than running:  Well, that has been crazy as always, add into that a house move and other complications, and a 10year old who has some serious attitude when it suits……..nothing that most families don’t deal with, but it always seems so overwhelming when you’re in the middle of it!

I’m looking forward to getting back to being able to run off my frustrations……..even if it does mean early morning starts!

Now, will my next entry be many months down the track??? Maybe, maybe not.   Time will tell.