Back in the Saddle

This Saturday was a much anticipated day for me. Last May I surrendered to a neck and back injury after a Spring filled with 2 half marathons and a slew of 5 and 10ks. Around Memorial Day, the Revelation 5K was the straw that broke the camel's back and I began a summer filled with doctor's visits, chiropractic appts and physical therapy. My diaganosis-a bulging disc and who-knows-what in my lower back, along with my hip being turned out of place and a ton of mis aligned vertebrae. I rolled over and really spent the summer just trying to walk around the house carrying on with my daily life-running was out! After being told that I could run again but pay attention to my body, I began the slow but steady training to be able to run this 5K -the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run. I have good days and bad days- days when my neck hurts so bad that I am overcome with headaches at the base. Some times it feels like my neck could just break in two, and some days it pulls on my shoulder sending sharper pains down into my arm. Some days I stop and really stretch my back out about 100 times, something I have watched my mother do with her spinal stenosis for years, to relieve my lower back pain. I have counted the cost and strangely enough, running makes it feel better. My lower back actually feels its best when i am in a good jog.
I am happy to report that on race day- I WAS PAIN FREE, even without my meds!

It felt good. It was so good to be standing alongside Leah at the START line-like the good-ol-days : ) Many of our friends and family came out to support- It was much fun.

My friend, Paul, began training a short time ago with the goal of being able to run the 5K. He did a great job. Way to go, Paul!

It was a brisk morning so Andrew was all snuggled into his winter coat. What a cutie!

My girl. She gets pumped about the races every time and tells me that she is running "next time"!

The whole crew.

Friends, Kym and Bethany also completed the 5K. You girls are awesome! Way to go!

It felt good to be back in the saddle and I gotta tell ya, in true Brooke form, I was looking up my next race as soon as I got home from this one.

Let the good times roll!