Admitting my limitations...

am totally bummed here but I just have to stop lying to myself. Bottom line is that my back will not allow me to run. I've tried over these past couple of weeks and my legs and stamina will allow me to go to great strides but my back won't. Had back surgery 3/31/05 on two herniated discs that were pressing on nerves into my right hip and leg. I'm sitting here in mild pain - pain in hip socket and with pain/tingles/numbness running down my right leg into my foot and toes and I just have to say "WHEN". I hate this. I hate to admit that I cannot do something especially when it is something that I love. I do love to run. I love the feeling. I love being able to challenge and push myself. But the bottom line is that the jarring on my skeleton is just too much. While I shouldn't take this as a defeat and it should be a merely a learning experience but it still feels like one for the moment. Bottom line is that years of obesity, lack of activity, a couple of fender benders, etc have left me with some damage that might not allow me to do all that I want to do. I just have to accept my limitation. And man that just plain BITES. So I'll be altering my workouts to fast walking and challenge and push myself in that capacity. I'll work on strengthening my core muscles and my leg muscles especially in the right leg and I'll move on. At least yesterday I could run a 5K distance and it felt damn good. Kathy

Aww Kathy can you then be my inspiration to run?? You can run, but it puts too much strain on your back. I cant run, but would love to train myself to do so. So, you have become my inspiration, and when I can finally run a mile without stopping, I will say, *That was for you Kathy, thank you!* I know it is not the same as running yourself, but inspiring people has got to feel good as well Keep up the hard work, and you never know, if you slowly train yourself, the possibilities are endless!! Dianna

Dianna, I'd love to help and be an inspiration. Though it will be very, very tough to be on the sidelines, ya know? It is just so hard to admit that now that I'm at the right weight for my body...my body has limitations and restrictions. Here I thought that weight loss would free my body to do all that I wanted to. But, the damage is done and it really ticks me off. Heck I was running at 230 lbs several years ago and only injured myself when I pushed myself to 5 miles (knee didn't like it). Well, I'm 60 lbs lighter but more like damaged goods apparently... BTW, here is a training program to run a 5K that someone posted on another board... http://www.prevention.com/article/0,5778,s1-2-92-181-1720-1,00.html Thanks, honey! Kathy

I'm sitting here in mild pain - pain in hip socket and with pain/tingles/numbness running down my right leg into my foot and toes and I just have to say "WHEN". Kathy, What kind of surgery did you have on your back? Lumarectomy thing or a discecomy? Does your doc know you still have the sciatica? The surgery shoulds have relieved that. Wow..you are still so fresh post op back surgery...I mean...I know it has almost been a year, but still !! You have these goals for yourself and YOU HAVE DONE SO WELL !!! I love looking at everyone's before and after pics...When you start to feel bummed go back and look at how far you have come. If you have some limitations ( which obviously is not what you are wanting to hear from your body ) remember all the limitations that you don't have now. You inspire me. You all look great !!! Dana

Dana, I had laminectomies on two discs...T4/T5 and T5/S1. My doctor knows that I've had some very minor residual pain - been about 95+% better since the surgery. When not stirred up by doing something I shouldn't, it is fine. If I overdo, lift something I shouldn't have it'll be sore for a day or two. This pain started last Saturday after dancing in Richmond and then running on top of that has abused it and continuing to run just kept it irritated. I have faith that I didn't reinjure it. The doctors told me that recent research says that it can take years for the nerves to fully heal. Kathy

Kathy (((((hugs)))) I know it isn't easy. I too would to run. Here's the thing. I have SO much excess skin it makes it impossible. It's honestly one of my pet peeve's. I see my surgeon Feb. 20th and will be talking seriously about reconstructive surgery. I hate the fact I can't run. The skin makes my back hurt more often then not and it's not just disgusting but affects me with rashes and irritations. I've been using Nystatin cream/powder forever it seems and it DOES help but just temporarily. Yep, it BITES. However, we can push ourselves in other ways. You sound positive in that respect anyway so go for it! I will add you to my pray list and hope that you get to feeling better. Hugs, Kitty Kat