I didn't have the time to get to the gym before work so I thought I'd try a little "real" running (it's been about a week). I so enjoy this weather, the clear calm pre-dawn sky, the manicured landscaped gardens around here. I am happy to report that cross fit and extreme elliptical work outs have vastly improved my cardio vascular health. However--I'm pretty sure my piriformis is beyond repair. It plagues me during the run, and for the remaining hours of the day as I sit at my desk. The only place I can comfortably run at a decent pace is on the grass. I may try a trail on Saturday to console myself that I am missing Catherine, and being in St. George. But this '08 piriformis injury is not going away. It really started to bother me again while training for the Utah Valley Marathon. The injections and stretches Dr. Brady gave were a temporary fix. The pain of running on it has now become equal in seriousness to my passing out at various intervals during the day (we'll find out what that's all about in the next 3 weeks I hope). Doing cross fit, and going to the gym is growing on me. I'm getting stronger in new and different places, my cardio threshold is higher/better, and performing highly challenging, high intensity work outs (that don't hurt my hip/butt/ham) are rebuilding my confidence. It's nice to be working on other muscle groups. And being in the gym reminds me of the years I spent working out with my father whilst he was doing his best to keep me (his adolescent daughter) from being as large as his 350 pound mother. But working out-- just doesn't light my fire the way running does. I'm watching the leaves turn color and enjoying the temperate weather while patiently biding my time until the snow comes, allowing me to lose myself on a mountain of powder. | 