My ability to run any distance has really gone south - raising self doubt like never before. The last decent run was in the 1st week of Feb before the trip to Gujarat. Came back from that trip feeling sick from what turned out to be fairly severe viral pneumonia - body ache, fever , cold and cough that lingered on for 11 days. Whether due to the illness or not runs, have not been the same ever since. None of the 10 or so runs since the last week of Feb have been easy or enjoyable either physically or mentally . Almost every run felt like a chore with the struggle to get the rhythm going. Both the quads get stressed with the slightest of gradients , there is a low to moderate pain in the right knee/shin area and then the numbness in the left toes leading to progressive heaviness. All of this has caused a severe dip in my motivation to go for a run. While the heart wants to continue running and do a few more marathons the physical and mental battle every time one goes out to run has made even the night before the run stressfull (aka before an event where one is targeting a specific time) with negative thoughts occupying the mind . Setting out half heartedly in the morning has not helped. Last Saturday I just quit after run/walk of 7km - it did not make sense to continue with an activity when the joy and satisfaction from the activity has completely gone. Decided to take a few weeks off from running to make an all out attempt to get to the bottom of the issue(s) and get them fixed over April and May . Failing which one just needs to come to terms that running long distance is no longer for me and focus on overall health, strength and fitness.
Am hoping the US and NCS tests suggested by the ortho Dr G of Nandi hospital will point to a neural issue (runners nueropathy) and then I can figure out how to reverse or manage it. Have been putting off doing these tests till after a full health checkup ( did that last week - all the markers are normal though the X-ray showed some wear and tear in the inner right knee- around the VMO area ). If the US and NCS tests dont give any pointers then the other options are to consult Dr G of Attitude Prime or Dr B of activity heals and perhaps gait analysis at Run Mechanics. Hopefully restart sessions with R who has been very busy the last month or so - we have not engaged since early Jan.
In the meantime , will continue with non running cardio (cycling/rowing/elliptical) and strength workouts with weights and core workouts. Perhaps I need to bring in more variation in my workouts with the help of a personal trainer though I doubt one can finding someone who is willing to come to the community where I live(PG).
