So, as I mentioned in a recent post on my blog (Story of a Barefoot Runner), I've been sick with a horrible cough. Well, it has lasted 3 weeks as of this Thursday (tomorrow). The worst part is that I have strained, torn, or otherwise injured my intercostal muscles on the left side of my chest from the violent coughing fits that I have had. For those who are unfamiliar, these are the muscles in between your ribs. No, I don't have bronchitis or pneumonia - just a mostly dry, hacking cough. This injury is what put me out of running 3 years ago. I took several months off to heal and then couldn't get back in the saddle on running. Fortunately, my return to running led me to barefoot running.
I haven't run in 3 weeks. Tonight I was itching, just dying for a quick run. I thought, I can deal with a little rib pain. Well, that lasted just over a half mile before I was back at my house. An injured intercostal feels like a knife is stuck between your ribs. It hurts to breathe, it hurts to cough, it hurts to lift your arm, and to try and run - well, it's very uncomfortable.
So, now that my cough is almost gone, I'm stuck with this stupid injury. I'm worried that the time I need to take off will put me out of the Diablo Trails Challenge 50K in March. It is supposed to be my first ultra. Fingers crossed, but I'm missing miles...
I haven't run in 3 weeks. Tonight I was itching, just dying for a quick run. I thought, I can deal with a little rib pain. Well, that lasted just over a half mile before I was back at my house. An injured intercostal feels like a knife is stuck between your ribs. It hurts to breathe, it hurts to cough, it hurts to lift your arm, and to try and run - well, it's very uncomfortable.
So, now that my cough is almost gone, I'm stuck with this stupid injury. I'm worried that the time I need to take off will put me out of the Diablo Trails Challenge 50K in March. It is supposed to be my first ultra. Fingers crossed, but I'm missing miles...
