The Fear of Timeline Unknown

I’d tried for ten minutes and felt like giving up: getting off the couch to help put my daughter to sleep.

Every twisting move was a sharp stab in my back because I’d tweaked it during a physical therapy session earlier that day. 

Only… I am the physical therapist 😂 

This second pregnancy (almost to third trimester!) has been the biggest physical challenge of my life. I don’t remember what it’s like to wake up without nausea because that’s what it’s been like since January. My legs ache. I get lightheaded in the heat sometimes and most of the time feel like I’ve run a marathon without fueling. 

Many of you followed along my journey to my 72 mile ultramarathon last year. The strongest I’d ever felt physically and mentally. To go from that to rolling around like an overturned turtle because I couldn’t get off the couch was the moment I realized I was fortunate. 

Why? 

Because I do have an end date in sight. In a few months I’ll be recovering, welcoming baby #2, and be able to make goals again. 

There are many people who don't necessarily have a definitive timeline where they can look forward to goal setting and pushing themself in a sport they love.

As frustrating as this pain is, I’m not afraid of it. I know the solution to it because I’ve helped plenty of people through situations similar to this before. I know the best evidence on treating back pain and I know the right treatment plan is gradually progressing certain exercises, time, focusing on sleep, and keeping a positive outlook. 

I did end up giving up on summiting the stairs. David took bed time and as I lay on a heating pad I thought about how another pregnant woman in my place might’ve reacted to this pain.

Fear of it being something more serious. Scrolling social media for “best exercises for back pain” and what misinformation dripping in slime and fear she might find: Herniated disks! Nerves out of place!! Months to recover!!! Surgery!!!! See a chiropractor for the rest of your life!!!!! 

(Only kind of kidding about the last one 😂) 

The problem with all information at our fingertips is that there’s a lot that doesn’t apply to our personal situation. 

It’s why I don’t post “5 Best Exercises for *Insert Running Injury Here*” on my business page anymore. 

Because although it may help 50% of the people watching it, what about that 10% of people who try the exercises and feels worse after? Or the 10% who feels no better and wonders if they’re broken but these exercises were *supposed* to work. And the other 30% who scroll and say "I should do that sometime."

There are established clinical guidelines regarding each type of running injury and how to guide runners in their return to activity. 

But a personalized approach is everything, because a runner’s story, experiences, and goals guide the treatment plan. 

You're probably frustrated because you haven't fit into a certain treatment formula you've seen on the internet and you keep feeling like you're wasting your time, slowly getting further and further away from the type of fitness you know you could have if only. 

This is exactly the approach I take to each runner I work with one on one. They give me their frustrations, worries, hopes, and setbacks and I make the plan.

If that’s something you’d be interested in, you might benefit from my Return to Run Program. Let’s get on a virtual consult call and I can hear more about your running and give you my honest opinion on how you might move forward, whether that is one of my programs or something else.

Reply to this email if you've had a similar experience or any other question about how to approach your current running situation.

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Dr. Erin Kennedy Dalisay, PT, DPT, OCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy & Run Coach