AND IN THE END

THERE IS NO CORRECT SOLUTION OR ANSWER FOR INJURIES AND SETBACKS AND OTHER ORDEALS A RUNNER CONFRONTS.

I say this after just finished speaking with my friend Susannah Kvasnicka who, is recovering from significant back surgery for a herniated disk. Susannah, like many of the top runners in the area, ran for years at a high level, with various ailments. There was always something. The hamstrings, the feet, the back, etc. Through the years she went to every specialist in the area whether it be a massage person, Chiro, PT, Podiatrist and the list can go on. Each of these specialists had the answer and none at all, so to speak. In their minds they had the answer and it proved to be brain candy for Susannah as well as for other runners I know as well, including me.

I could name a list of other runners who have or are going through such bouts with trying to find the right remedy for ailments and battle wounds one gets from running hard. But why bother.

In the end, I really do not think there is a silver bullet medical remedy to protect one from the wear and tear.

I recently had a lengthy conversation with two highly accomplished Russian runners. In their youth, they could run like deer and recover without any problem.

Now, the only way they can run at all is to take Bikram Yoga for one hr. everyday. They swear by it.

Lesson learned for me is to take bits and pieces from each of the doctors, specialists, healers, trainers, etc. out there and try to incorporate them into some recipe for success that works for you.