Sweet Relief and a cruise (or two or three)

This past week I finally have returned to running. My mechanic/chiropractor (probably be-grudgingly) gave me the thumbs up to take the body out for a spin (run) this week while she is on vacation. (Her vacation = my sweet relief). I promised not to go crazy and drag race. She said that it probably would feel weird, like I was driving another person's vehicle.

All during the time I have been visiting her, I have to admit I have been still a skeptic. How is it possible that she is moving my spine with the little "pinger" gun? With each of my attempts (two) to solve my pain the rear problem, I decided that I would trust and follow the rules for the initial course of treatment. My initial chiropractic plan was for a month of treatment. I would give it a month and re-evaluate.

On Thursday of last week, I finally broke out the Asics and took them for a spin. During the midst of my euphoria I realized two things.

1. My gait is different. It feels weird. Perhaps the doctor really was moving my spine with each "ping".

2. I don't have the pain in my rear. I DON'T HAVE THE PAIN IN MY REAR!

My gait is truly different and I have been working on building my base and getting accustomed to the new gait. I land, roll, and push off on a different part of my foot now. Soon, I am going to have my gait reanalyzed to make sure that I still am wearing appropriate shoes as I would hate to be sidelined with another injury.

Each time I think about realization #2, I tear up a little. It has been at least 8 months since I have run without pain in my rear. It was a running companion that I did not want to have. This is not to say that I am not running pain free, as new muscles are being recruited during my runs and they, frankly, do not like being awoken from their slumber.

Although I realize that my body work is not quite done, I am happy that my mechanic lets me take her out for a spin every once in a while and with each mile I log and each hour spent in the body shop, I know that I am moving closer to my destination. (with undoubtedly some stops for baked goods on the way -- you know, for fuel!)