Running has sucked for the last year. My speed and endurance have gone downhill significantly and continuously. Whenever I get motivated, the less-than-stellar reality of my current running abilities discourages me. I haven't really, truly enjoyed running for a long time now. After remaining too long in the try/fail/try again cycle, I am now trying something different.
I know that the issue at the heart of my lousy running is my ongoing vertigo. I did the physical therapy thing in December and January, but quit after a while because progress was slow, and real life got so busy that I just kind of forgot about it. If I want to get better with the running, I have to fix the vertigo. As Becky and Alecia know, Dad's approach to any physical ailment, (which has somehow sadly become my attitude as well) was to keep going, push through the pain, and it will get better. In this case (and maybe some others - just ask Mom!) Dad was wrong.
The new plan is to run a little and do the PT a lot. I am committing to 2-3X day with the exercises. As the vertigo gets slowly better, my running will get better, and then my attitude toward running will improve as well. Once I can actually run a mile in less than 11 minutes (hell, I'd settle for less than 14 minutes right now!) I'll feel comfortable stopping the PT.
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2 comments:
I can't even imagine what having vertigo is like. I can only see things from my own experience. My last physical showed all my glucose levels,cholesterol was fine. My blood pressure is on the high side of normal,which is surprising for a guy who exercises as much as I do. The obvious culprit is being overweight. I can run all I want but,if I don't address the weight issue the blood pressure isn't going to change. Good for you for dealing with your condition head on. It's the right first step. Go Jenny.
Sounds like you've been to a vestibular therapist? There are several positioning techniques that can be does to attempt to re-position the otoconia (ear crystals) back into the utricle instead of in the semi-circular canals. Has anyone tried this on you? (sorry, I haven't read your whole blog -- I just picked up on your link while doing a physical therapy search).
The techniques are called the Epley and Semont Maneuvers. Take a look: http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/bppv/bppv.html
If it doesn't seem like you've been treated this way and you have BPPV (vs. neurological vertigo), you might want to check it out.
Jen
Denver, CO
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