Why My Running Has Sucked this Spring and Summer!
Back on May 27th I ran my fastest 5K of the year and I felt like I was starting to get back into running form. Little did I know that would be my high point for the spring and so far the summer.
That’s because shortly after that run I went to an ophthalmologist to find out why everything was gray when looking only with my left eye!
First a Visit to an Ophthalmologist
Anyway, the ophthalmologist didn’t know what the caused the problem. She thought I may have a tear in my retina, so she sent me to a retina specialist.
Then a Retina Specialist
The retina specialist had some good news and some not so good news. He said there was no tear in the retina. And aside from some age related dry macular degeneration everything looked good. However, he speculated that the cause of the appearance of the grayness was an arterial occlusion, i.e. a “mini-stroke”
Next a Cardiologist
He gave me some post examination “homework”, The homework included a lipid panel, two other blood tests. As well as, a visit to a cardiologist for an echo cardiogram and an ultrasound. My blood work is all good and Im still waiting on the other tests. Oh and right now I’m wearing a heart monitor for three weeks!
Finally, A Return to the Retina Specialist
After a return visit to the retina specialist he still doesn’t see anything wrong with the retina except for the AMD. He said the next step would be a visit to a neurological eye specialist.
However, before taking that step he wants me to return to the ophthalmologist and see if they can do something with eyeglasses to help.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is I am now waiting for my ophthalmologist appointment and the two tests at the cardiologist. Oh and the result of the heart monitoring. Even though at the end of the cardiologist visit he said I’ll see you in three months!
All of the above and the hot summer weather have played havoc with my running. I have been taking it easy even though both the retina specialist and the cardiologist said to keep running!
Back to Running
So this week I ran twice! Once on Tuesday and again on Friday. Both times I ran for a total time of 30 minutes rather than a set distance. The runs were 2.3 and 2.4 miles respectively at a pace of 12:52 and 12.57 minutes/mile. I keep on reminding myself this is just base miles and speed doesn’t matter! Doing it is what matters!
Now this is the point in a post where I would write about the soundtracks for these runs. But I’ve rambled in enough, so I’ll write about those soundtracks in another post!
The soundtracks respectively were : The Right Man the debut album from D.K. Harrell and Sticks and Stones from Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real.
