About a month ago, I committed one of the most common mistakes people can make while exercising: I chose to ignore warning signs that I should get some recovery time in. One evening, after running 4+ miles and a enjoyable game of ultimate Frisbee with friends, I had a nice case of Hematuria. That is a nice, fancy way of saying there was blood in my pee!
Being a part of the Internet generation, I quickly consulted the medical-advice websites and went through much dismay upon being diagnosed with three different types of cancer, two different broken bones, and a whole host of other bacterial-infection possibilities. If I didn't experience much symptoms before, I surely had all of them now. After a few more minutes of psychosis, I decided that I had most likely just bruised my kidney . . . and that, despite what the Internet stated, my life would in fact go on. Sure enough, after twenty-four hours or so, and many glasses of water later, everything cleared up fine.
The mistake came later. Instead of taking it easy and letting whatever I did to myself heal and completely clear out, I stupidly didn't cut back much at all. A few 5Ks, a 6 miler, and several more weeks of Frisbee later, I'm still right where I started, with nagging side pain that just won't quit.
I finally let my doctor know, got an ultrasound and a kidney-specialist appointment, and was diagnosed with what I expected: a bruised kidney. The only real treatment is plenty of rest, which I find rather annoying. I hate being sidelined, especially as my Dad is crushing the AFP leader board week after week. Someone surely needs to put him in his place!
I wanted to share this story with everyone not because of the "woe is me" aspect, but because I hope that the take-home message will be listened to. If you do experience pain or abnormal symptoms, don't be stupid with it. Get it checked out and taken care of as soon as possible (rather than waiting for weeks), or otherwise you might be sidelined far longer than you need to be. When you first start working out after being inactive, there will be soreness that is normal. But if you feel anything you think is atypical, stop what you are doing and get it cleared. It's not worth goofing yourself up longer than you have to be.
If you’re a new runner or have been running for many years, one of the most important things you can do is to listen to your body.
Some days you are just going to feel better than others. You need to come to that realization and be alright with that fact. Your running schedule is a guideline for you to use – not set in stone. It’s alright to made allowances or changes if you are not feeling well.
If you are planning a long run for a certain day, you get up and feel pretty lousy – it’s OK to put your run off a day until you feel better. Make sure, though, that you really are feeling bad and not using it as an excuse.
Start out on your run and see how you feel after a mile or so. Sometimes you just need to get everything warmed up and the “cobwebs” out – and sometimes you just know it’s not the day. It’s better to finish a shorter run and feel alright, than to force yourself to run long. If you force yourself, you may not complete the run and then feel lousy.
There’s also a difference between pushing yourself when you feel good and when you just aren’t quite with it. It’s OK to push yourself to longer distances or faster runs if all is well. That’s a great feeling!
So, remember, the best way to remain a runner for life is to listen to your body!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4818130
Yikes! Sorry about your kidney! Great reminder…
Great advice and I learned some hard lessons as well. How long do you think you’ll be sidelined? However long, I hope you get better ASAP!!!
I’m not sure how long, going to take it easy for another week or two at least. Thanks for the well wishes!
The longer the better since you pushed through the pain. That is an area of the body you don’t want to mess around with.
I am finally going to see a chiropractor next week and I hope that finally fixes my Hip/ITBS band/Lower Back issues. Welcome and I do pray nothing but the best for you!!
Excuses, you never hear dad complaining about bruised kidneys.
Kiko doesn’t ever complain about his bruised kidneys either, because he doesn’t need his. #LegendOfKikoAlonso
I think “my place” should be at the top of the leader board. Get well soon!
Take it easy and start back slowly…
Ouch! Get well soon Jon!
that happened to me back in April – I was so excited because I’d hit a new pace on the elliptical and then….. get well soon!
[…] level, only to be sidelined for the better part of the past two months while I work to get over some lingering maladies. I feel good enough to get back into working out, and I have plenty of extra motivation to join in […]