#herniateddisc

Daily pool walking, diligent attention to my rehab exercises, hot-packs (yes even in the heat), and healing visualisation have brought me to a pain-free 5.6km trail walk yesterday and a 28km bike ride today. And yep; stretching and pool work are done!

What a wonderful feeling walking the local trails again on a beautiful Saturday. I took the opportunity to do my morning meditation in the peaceful, fresh-scented park. The sounds and smells of nature, the waft of a breeze, made it so much nicer; with just the occasional crunch as someone ran past.

TA-DAAAA! Two walks in three days and the most kilometres since I herniated my L5 disc five weeks ago. Today I tackled 5.6km of inclines and declines on the Zamia Trail; and on Thursday I took the pupper for a 2km jaunt around the local exercise park. Hopefully I soon can join my GLU running buddies on a Saturday morning.

I am a pragmatist who believes that one’s own efforts make things happen. But I do enjoy mysterious signs and the auspices of heavenly bodies. Wednesday’s super blue moon, blood moon & lunar eclipse - how portentous! - coincided with the anniversary of my mother’s death. I only noticed today that a rose had bloomed on the bush she gave me. It is not a prolific bloomer; the flowers are a fragile lilac pink and with a lovely subtle scent. Guess what? It’s called a Blue Moon. So, after suffering setbacks in December and January, I am taking it as a sign that the stars are going to align for me this month.

A new month means reviewing my goals. I am in a different place than I was on the 1st of January. Since my back injury three weeks ago, my running goals have gone to the back burner. As things stand today, it’s unlikely that I will complete the Summer Trail Series, which is disappointing. But as I look properly, it is not as negative as it seems:
I have exceeded my temperance goal by going completely alcohol-free mid-month.
Stretching and meditation are becoming a daily habit that I must cement in place.
⚖ I have managed to lose a bit of weight. I am going to have to shrink portion sizes now that I am not exercising intensely.
I have gotten back on the bike and into the pool. These will be my go-to exercises, as even walking hurts.
☠ I need to rework my posture; draw the coccyx to the floor, soften the lumbar spine; stay out of rigid extension; release all those muscles locking up my SI joint. This will be HARD.

There is nothing like getting out on the bike on a golden summer morning. My injury means I must keep it short, flat and easy. After so long off the bike it was my butt that was hurting after just 16km!

Looking all kinds of a hot mess tonight. Lumbar nerve block number 2 went down today. Praying it’s successful. This is where I’ll be hanging out the next few days.
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#takeiteasy #rest #frustrated #recovery #heal #herniateddisc #fitnessjourney #journeytohealth #transformyourlife
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