Doc's Rx--A Hobson's Choice

During my visit to my primary care physician's, I recounted for him the path my running has taken these past two weeks: one very twenty-one mile attempt at a completed marathon, six days without any activity, two short days on a treadmill and one road run of less than five miles. I also explained how the back of my ankle felt as though it was tightening at about the three mile point during all three runs (treadmill and road).

The doc felt around the back of my left ankle and declared that while I had not ruptured or torn my Achilles tendon, it was likely that I had some Achilles tendinitis. While he was not going to refer me to an orthopedic specialist, yet, he would do so if I didn't feel better in a week. The suggested therapy would be to 1) continue icing and heating the ankle, 2) rest it for a few days and 3) maybe attempt to do more cross training, such as cycling or swimming.

Doc said that no matter how much trouble this all (injuries and discomfort) was, in the long run, running and exercise would continue to significantly improve my health. I told the doc that my goal is not to rush back too quickly but to do what it takes to extend the overall possibility of being able to run for the my entire life. The question for me now is between a short-term versus long-term outcome--a Hobson's Choice, which is to say, "an apparently free choice that is really no choice at all."

At some point, I'll need to DO something... Of course, I'm now trying to see if I can get my act together to run 6.2 this coming Saturday... a very tall order...

Tonight's workout at my friendly neighborhood YMCA:

Walk (Treadmill): 1 mile, :15:00 min. pace
Recumbent Stationary Bicycle: Alpine Pass Program (Level 10 of 20), 8.61 miles in :30:00 min. @ 6:30 p.m.

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!