Getting an MRI and the Ensuing Results
On Wednesday I had an MRI and x-ray to see if they could figure out what’s going on with my back. Of course, these past few days my back has felt better than it has in weeks… go figure.
Friday morning I met with my spine doctor to go over my results. Amazingly my previously bulged disc looked better positioned, probably due to strengthened core muscles from physical therapy. I do; however, continue to have an ugly mess of degenerative discs – age and heredity will do that to you. I was given three options, one of which, surgery, was not recommended. Whew! My two remaining options are to go back to my pain management doctor for another shot and/or resume physical therapy. I opted for more sessions of PT so I can add more exercises to my toolbox of things to do to keep my back pain at bay.
My goal is to stay as active as possible without risking my spine health. It’s kind of like three steps forward for cardio health and one step backward in regards to my spine health. It’s good to know that I have the option to see my pain doctor if necessary, but I want to treat my issues with the least invasive therapy possible.
And Now on to a RunDown of this Past Week’s Workouts…
Sunday
Sunday’s workouts were limited to running up and down the basement and deck stairs as we set up for a barbecue with the kids, and then playing with Pablo in the back yard.
Monday
While the rest of the house slept in, I got up early to lift and do my PT homework before seeing my first client at 8AM. I had clients back-to-back until noon, but since I was seeing them virtually, I made sure each got to say hi to Pablo. My son snapped this picture of me holding my MacBook down to Pablo’s eye level. 😀
Tuesday
It was 77° when I headed out at around 10:15 AM for my 5-mile walk. I kept my pace a little slower (16:14) and felt no residual stiffness the following day. Even at 77° I could feel the heat slowing me down so I was happy that I hadn’t planned to push the pace.
Wednesday
I got up super early and lifted and did my PT homework before seeing my morning clients. Later in the afternoon I took Zephyr out for a quick 2-mile spin around the neighborhood to make sure I remembered how to change gears, clip in and out, etc. I hadn’t ridden since late October and I needed a confidence booster before my riding date on Thursday.
Thursday
I woke up super excited for my ride, hopeful it would be the first of many with my neighbor Betsy who I didn’t even realize was a cyclist. She just happened to be heading out for her ride as I walked past her house on Tuesday and she slowed long enough to ask if I wanted to join her for a ride sometime. We rode 2 miles along the parkway to and from the W&OD Trail which affected our overall pace as we slowed at each road crossing. It was breezy and only 66° when we left for our ride, but the rain caught up with us and we rode in drizzle for several miles. It felt good to be back on the saddle for 15 miles!
Friday
On Friday’s I teach a balance and stretching class (these days on Facebook Live) so it’s guaranteed that I’ll stretch for at least 15 minutes one day a week – the class is 15 minutes each of bodyweight strengthening exercises, balance drills, and stretching. I had a light work day and lifted weights between my early morning client and teaching the class. After class I did my physical therapy homework before going to my doctor to get the results of my MRI. Later in the evening Bill and I went for a short walk.
Saturday
I had the Virtual Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K yesterday morning with Darlene, Kim, and Cari – I won an entry from Darlene who was one of the race ambassadors. I headed outside around 8 AM into the delightful 66°/low humidity for my race. After I completed walking my 5K, I enjoyed a relaxing morning before Bill and I took off on a 4.25-mile walk. A couple of hours of late afternoon gardening capped my very active day.
With a little photoshop help from my husband, the girls and I managed to get some fun pics of our virtual high fives…
… and an epic jump shot!
Overview of the Week
In addition to the workouts I mentioned above, here’s a complete rundown from this past week (completed either outside or in our home gym)…
It’s on the Blog
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
- Sunday – Weekly RunDown: Memorial Day Weekend Version, May 17 Through May 23
- Tuesday – Six Steps to a Perfect Plank
- Friday – Runfessions, Bikefessions, and My Pants are too Tightfessions
Questions:
- • What cross training do you enjoy, but don’t do as often as you would like?
- • Do you bike?
- • Did you run in a virtual race this weekend?
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
It was fun running with you.
Of course I prefer the real thing. But hey. What can you do?
Glad to hear you don’t need surgery. Hope the PT continues to improve things and you are back to normal. At least you are not missing any races.
Thanks, Darlene! It was fun, and even if we didn’t get to run together, at least we got to connect via text throughout the day. 😀
thank your hubby for the photos…LOVE them!
I really like incline power walking for cross training. Uh I don’t do it at all right now but that would be my go to if I ever needed to take a break from running. I’m glad that you have some non invasive options for your back. Fingers crossed that everything continues to go well.
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie recently posted…Weekly Sweats: Hits, Runs, and Errors
Thanks, and I need to get back to my inclined power walking. I sort of tossed it aside when the weather turned nice and I could walk outside.
That photoshopped photo is so cute! I love that you were able to connect with the ladies via the virtual race 🙂
I’m glad that you have some answers about your back pain. Hopefully the extra PT sessions will help bring some relief!
A few years ago I couldn’t run so I did a bunch of power walking workouts and they were intense! I was shocked at how much I could sweat doing that type of workout – it was great!
Thanks, I’ll pass along the compliments to my husband.
I agree, I was pretty surprised and how sweaty I got on Tuesday’s walk.
Glad to ready that your back is feeling better. Yay for getting out on your bike with a friend. Riding outside was just what I needed this week too. Fun run photos! Thanks for linking up
Thanks, Deborah!
I just love that photo collage of you and the other ladies. This whole thing has certainly brought out the creativity in us all, hasn’t it?
Glad you got info about your back but ugh to the degenerative changes. I’m sure I’m headed down that path too–my dad and mom both have spinal stenosis. Getting old is not for the wimpy!
Yes, I couldn’t have imagined participating in a virtual race prior to the shutdown, but when it’s all you’ve got, you make it fun!
Fun photos! I love that you coordinated 🙂
Glad you received some answers about your back. At least there is a plan! Hopefully it continues to feel better.
I can’t remember who suggested we wear purple, but I’m glad she did because it made for a really fun coordinated look!
And thanks, I just hope that I can get back to running…
UGH on the back issues. My back has been so cranky lately (like since all the COVID started…and we’ve been stuck at home, watching Netflix). I’m pretty sure it’s the loveseat (that Max insists on sharing with me)…though it feels awesome at the time, the next morning is rather awkward for the first hour LOL. Huge thanks to the hubby for the awesome pics 😉 It was fun getting to do our thing, albeit virtually 😉
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Scaling It Back
I’m sorry to hear you’re having back issues, too.
Saturday was fun, and yes, it would have been so much fun to have been together in person. I’ll pass along your thanks to Bill!
That sounds like pretty good news about your MRI! Sounds like a good plan to really step it up with the PT. I know you’ve been working so hard to recover so I hope that your back continues to feel better
How fun to do that virtual 5k- those pics came out great!
Thanks, Lisa! And yes, I thought my hubby did a great job on the pictures. 😀
Sounds like a great week for you!
I ran my virtual Freihofers on Memorial Day. I love to swim, but I don’t see that happening anytime in the future. It was always hard to fit in because it’s time consuming, but I really miss it!
The only bike I get on is my stationary bike. 🙂
Thanks, Judy!
I wonder if and when the pools will open this summer. It seemed so weird driving by our neighborhood pools last weekend and not seeing families having fun.
Love the [virtual] group pictures!! My upper back was hurting last week and I was a huge complainer. I can’t imagine having anything worse. I hope you can keep up the progress and not need any surgery. So fun that you found a riding friend! Many happy miles to you both 🙂
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures recently posted…Weekly Workouts – feeling the heat!
Thanks, Lisa! I hope your back is feeling better by now.
So glad you don’t need surgery. I’m sure that’s just a huge relief.
I love doing yoga and hiking, but both those things are kind of few and far between right now. I also love kickboxing, but that’s a big, fat no. Ugh.
Your virtual looked so fun! I did a patriotic run on Saturday in honor of Memorial Day, but that was all.
Yes, I’m pretty happy surgery isn’t even something I have to consider.
I’ve never tried kickboxing. I think I would have loved it when I was younger, but it’s not something my body would like these days.
That is good news about the no surgery. That is a cute photo of you with Pablo. I am sure your clients enjoyed seeing him. I don’t have an actual bike but do have a Peloton.
Zenaida Arroyo recently posted…Tuesday Topics: Global Running Day
I bet you love your Peloton! Everyone I know who has one does!
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