Day 17 of my running challenge finds me taking it easy again. Over the last two weeks, I have developed chronic tension in my shoulders and neck that are leading to tension headaches. Initially I thought it was just a product of other factors, since this is my normal first location for pain over the years. But after doing all the ‘right’ things, taking it easy at times, and a round of acupuncture, its just not resolving. So I had to face the fact that my running is causing this issue. Upon further research, I realize its likely a flaw in my form that is causing this. While I have tried to relax while running, I have not paid an extreme amount of attention to it. Most has been on my stride and on my breathing.
So, after some research and reading and more reading, and with prompting from another headache, I decided to do a walk instead this evening and practice relaxing only. I did jog a few minutes here and there to evaluate what I was doing, but otherwise I focused on relaxing my shoulders, carrying my arms correctly, and just being conscious of what my body was doing. I definitely need to work on my form if I am to continue this on the longterm.
I find it frustrating that my legs, my knees, my feet, everything that I would have thought to be worried about is just fine, but my shoulders and neck are really slowing me down. Any of my missed or reduced days have been caused by this, so its something I need to get a handle on.
Well, I did some work today, will continue tomorrow and take it easy another day, and see where I am at over the weekend. My focus will just shift to correcting my form now, not a big deal.
Day 17 – Complete (in some degree, walked/some jogging for 18 minutes).
