Stubborn

I have to admit I am as stubborn as an ox. Or a mule. And I mean no offense to either! I have always felt that stubbornness can be a good quality, after all it seems an awful lot like persistence, right? And that is a good one.

But this morning as I stretch my aching painful low back and neck, I am starting to wonder if I am on the right track. I have been aiming to train for a half marathon. I love to do triathlons, and the running is my weakness. Therefore I decided to really work on increasing distance and getting comfortable with my run. But...as I continue and mostly run in this winter time, the single exercise is really taking its toll on my back. I have a degenerative disk in the low back, and arthritis in the neck and probably the rest of my spine. So pain in the back is becoming a big part of my existence.

Perhaps this is not the best course of action for me. I am 51 and healthy otherwise, so feel I should be able to do this. But my body is sending me a message for sure. I just want to make sure I read it right. So this week I ran only 1 day, and on a soft track at that. Walking has replaced running this week. And I am still very tender and sore.

Should I switch back to swimming? Biking does not appeal to me with the soreness in my neck. I am a bit discouraged but I am not out of the running for the half or for triathlons. I am regrouping, now is really a great time of the year to do this. Yoga class does appeal. hmmm.

Here's hoping I do the right thing and take care of this body.