Injury Time Out

Lots 'o pain. I somehow injured myself in the last, oh, I dunno, 12 months or so. My right side has been very "stressed", like I felt I was working too hard using the mouse. Sore shoulder, sore neck/back and the like. Well it turns out that was not the case at all. My right arm started going numb, as well as experiencing shooting pains. Uh oh.

Somehow I have let me back get misaligned. Near the 7th vertebrae I have a compressing of the disc. Further, there is a tilt causing it to be "hot" as the doc says. The net result is an explanation of the pain in my right side (very bad), and the loss of coordination and ability to pick things up with my right hand.

I had been going increasingly often to the masseuse, so I joined Massage Envy to get the rates down and go monthly. Things just seemed to be getting worse. Finally, I just went in desperation and picked whoever I could get that day for any appointment. Kysha (half German, half Black and ALL interesting) told me I must have a pinched nerve and recommended a chiropractor.

Now, I had been injured as a teen in a skiing accident, so I already knew about chiropractors, as one had already helped me to keep walking after a similar compression injury in the lower back. This guy is amazing. Both in his treatment and his ability to explain what is going on. Very, very good work. To be sure, I am *SO* out of whack that his adjustments are bringing tears to my eyes, but hey...gotta get it done. He even emphasized the importance of nutrition - dude!

But for the moment there are three things causing my main problem, which is a lack of curve in my neck. One, I have a poor sleeping position. Two, I work over the laptop all day. And three, I cycle. The sleeping position is clearly the main cause, as I use a bolster for a pillow that tilts my head up as I read, and the other elements are exacerbating the situation. Time for a new bed, new pillow and a NASA astronaut couch for my tech work. Not sure what to do about the cycling though. Is there a head sling that can take the weight off my neck? Hmmmm...

Ah well, I am missing most of the charity riding season and my favorite 100 mile ride coming up. Bummer. It's going to be a long summer if I can't ride! Grrrrr!

New Pants

Prodded by my best buddy ever (thanks Helen)... here is a progress report on 100 Miles a week.

To make a long story short, let's discuss the word "commitment". To find the time, energy, patience (and weather) to do 100 miles a week on a cycle is a very hard and serious commitment. I have been very successful, with interruptions coming mostly from out of town trips.

One key result, the realization you have to make your workstyle work for your lifestyle, not the other way around. Most, if not all the people I discuss this with not only would not do such a thing, but really, they can't even imagine it. This is a bummer.

It's liberating to be able to take life on the way I want, work the way I want, all around the lifestyle I want. Well, at least *this* aspect of my lifestyle. Plenty of other things to work on yet...

Other than some tire trouble and one set of VERY fast farm dogs that I clocked at 28 MPH trying to nip at me (!), the cycle is working, the 'ol bod' is working, and I am in the market for yet another set of new pants. This time I need a new belt too!

Coming soon - the food rant!