So Today, I conclude my "rest week". I have officially trained six consecutive weeks (feeling awesome about that) with this last week being recovery as tomorrow I begin a new training cycle. Am I rested? Yes. Am I 100% and ready to begin crazy training again? Not sure; feeling a little uneasy.
I woke up with a stiff neck on Friday; clearly I slept in a funny position. I feel asleep on the couch Thursday watching TV and remember waking up incredibly uncomfortable and moving to the bedroom. I often take naps on the couch; my couch is quite comfortable. But this time, somehow I slept all twisted and remained so, and my body did not like it. I didn't really think anything of it because I seem to have a sensitive neck in that it let's me know when my pillow is not supportive enough, but generally revives itself within a day or two. This time however, is not like any other.
Saturday the pain and stiffness was worse than Friday, and Sunday (today) I woke up and couldn't move the right side of my upper body and neck. I was completely stiff, and in incredible pain. It felt like my shoulder blade was stabbing me, any slight movement of my right arm was excruciating, and my neck wasn't bending, rotating, or even supporting itself without screaming. Actually I felt this all coming on as time passed Saturday evening/night. I had gone out and jokingly said I'd be meeting the group in the morning to run "if I could move". I gotta stop jinxing myself.
I didn't know what I was going to do with myself this morning. It was kinda scary actually. Is this what happens when you get old? They say when you turn 30 it's all down hill. Well I'm not there yet, but I guess close enough? My body is not as agile as it used to be perhaps? I refuse to believe it; I'm a repeat Ironman, super active! I got out of bed this morning, using my good arms and abs (good thing I've been strengthening those) and found my laptop. I searched the web to try and diagnose what was wrong with me given my symptoms. I decided it was most likely muscular strain and nothing more serious and so my self remedy was going to be a super hot shower and tylenol. The shower helped enough to allow my neck to rotate enough to feel as if I could "safely" drive a car. I only needed to make two left turns and one right to the Starbucks where I would be meeting the group to run.
My run wasn't the best. But it did help loosen me up and forcing my shoulders and arms to relax as I ran really felt awesome. It felt great to run. Actually my workout Saturday was executed pain free and I even strength trained. My condition improved today as the day passed. I'm happy to report the stiffness is now really just tightness. Still pretty tight, but less stiff, so I'll take it. I've been stretching it all day, have consciously maintained good posture, continued with the tylenol dosing and have avoided the couch. I have never experienced anything like this and I really don't want to ever again.
So what am I going to do about it? I'm going to start stretching routinely, and try to attend a yoga class once a week at the Y. Another discipline of fitness, "flexibility", that I will no longer take for granted. (I've kinda always been intimidated by yoga, but people swear by it. I gotta try it at least.) What doesn't kill me makes me stronger! Today I have lived, and learned.
Holy Crap! I just hope I can comfortably sleep tonight and tomorrow the pain has diminished. This is not fun! How did this happen?
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