A few weeks ago I wrote about how a blow to the back had sidelined my training for the time being. For the record this is two years in a row that something went wrong in the home stretch (last year I managed to rip the skin off of one of my toes while running after a really long swim). Maybe someday I’ll manage to make it through the final weeks of IM training without issues.

Since then I’ve been doing a ton of stretching. Seriously I’m so sick of stretching. My regimen was basically 3x daily for 30-45 minutes. I found some lower back stretches that really seemed to do the trick. Occasionally I would ice it to try and help with inflammation. Over time the shooting pain went away and what was left was just really sore and tight muscles. I tried a few rounds on the elliptical and then a few minutes on a treadmill but it was still too soon. So I went back to stretching and the occasional bike ride.

Last week was huge. With the shooting pains subsiding I decided to try another swim. I found that for the first time since the injury I was able to swim.  On Thursday of last week I dropped the Aleve. All the while my back continued to feel better. It was still tight but continued to loosen up daily.

I drew a few lines in the sand as to whether or not I would line up at the start line for IMNC. The first was a long ride this past Saturday. If I could get through that with no issues that would be the first test. Wakin and I headed down to West and had quite possibly the most gorgeous morning of the year for riding. The fall weather was unreal. The ride went off without a hitch.

My final test will come this next weekend, two weeks out from race day. If I can swim with no issues and run for two hours that will be the official green light. Yesterday I did my first run in two and a half weeks. It was simply 30 minutes of 5 minutes walking / 5 minutes jogging / repeat but it was a start. There was no pain when running but my back still did not feel strong and was insanely tight when I was done. Luckily I was able to stretch it out pretty quickly afterwards. This morning I tried the same routine with 3 / 7 intervals and it felt better. I’m hoping to continue to loosen / strengthen it slowly throughout the week, ultimately leading up to a long run on Sunday.

So that’s where things are. At this point the race is non-refundable. Airline and hotel are booked. If I can keep getting stronger the next three weeks I plan on at least starting the race. Whether or not I finish time will tell. Numerous folks that care about me have reminded me to be smart and I give you my word that I am. As excited as I am about this race I have no intention of being stupid and making it my last. I feel like I have a great sense of what I am and am not capable of. Luckily my body is cooperating thus far. If it chooses otherwise in the next 17 days I’ll pull the plug and move on to the next one.

I would be crazy to think that I made it this far on my own. The reality is that there is a God in control of things that is the ultimate Healer. He came in the flesh and healed folks physically. Then He went on to pay the price to heal us spiritually, ultimately making us right with Him. To say that I’m thankful for what He’s done in my life, not just these past few weeks, but over decades of knowing Him, would be an understatement. Whether I’m weak or strong, whether I do or don’t finish a race, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior”.