Today I saw my physical therapist at NW Sports. She gave me a look see and since I've gained much of my foot drop back since Sunday, she said I should try and run today and test out my foot.
Good news! I ran for 35 minutes and had no issues with my foot drop. One major thing helped me when I ran today. I was reminded to keep my transverse tight. My what versus what?
Your transverse is a technical way of saying keep your abs tight. If you learn to tighten your abs and breathe at the same time while you run it will help stabilize you and protect your back. It's not as easy as it sounds.
Lay on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Put your fingers on your hip bones and slide them in onto your abs. Keep your fingers pressing down while you tighten your abs so you can feel the abs tighten. Keep it tight and now breathe normally. Keep your fingers pressing down on your abs at all times. Feel them tense. I bet you held your breath. If you can tighten the abs and breathe normally you have it mastered.
While still lying on your back, lift one foot at a time towards the ceiling, which brings your knees towards your chest, and set it back down like your marching. All the while still pressing down with your fingers, try to march without your fingers going up and down. Keep your pelvis stationary. You want to move your legs without your fingers going up and down. It takes much focus at first.
Now do that while you run. Keep your abs tight the whole time. It's easy to lose focus and lose the core tightening. That's ok. It takes practice.
Hopefully you understood that little exercise. Now I have to charge you for the free PT session. That will be $1 please.
Once again, listen to your body. If it hurts get professional advice and take care of it. If she would have told me to stay off my leg for 2 weeks I would have. I would have hated it but it's not worth it to possibly make things worse which is what you do when you workout with an injury.
Like I tell my dog, Zeke, HEAL!
No comments:
Post a Comment