Training log - Week ending 11/14/2021

 This week was 55 miles of running, 1500 yards of swimming, some stuff on the arc-trainer, and 18 "miles" of pool-running -- training log is here.

It was a good news/meh news week.  

I had a nerve conduction study/EMG on Tuesday.  For the NCS, they place two sensors on each muscle a measured distance apart and then apply a mild electric shock to the muscle and record how fast the electric impulse travels.  For the EMG, they stick a very small needle in each muscle and then have you use the muscle while a machine (attached to the needed) assesses how the muscle activates.    It's a bit uncomfortable, but also kinda geekily cool.

I've have several of these over the years, since I have a significant family history of ALS and also benign fasciculation syndrome (meaning my calf muscles twitch all the time for no good reason).  They've always come back clear; this one was also mostly clear, with just some slight issues with the left ankle, which the neurologist wasn't worried about.

On Friday, he did a full neurologic exam, which meant that I did some exercises with my eyes and mouth, touched my nose with my finger, got my knees and ankles tapped, and did some funny walks while he watched.  That was all good too.

So the good news is that he hasn't found anything (he did order a set of MRIs to be complete - those will take a few weeks).  The meh news is that I was hoping for a (benign and easily fixed) diagnosis, and I don't have anything yet.  

The neurologist suggested that the issue might actually be orthopedic - something is off in my muscles/bones/tendons and the body is protecting itself.  So that's one avenue I have to pursue.  Additionally my primary care had suggested checking in with a vascular specialist, so I have that appointment in December.  In the meantime, I'm a bit frustrated that I've missed my entire fall racing schedule, but that I still have no idea what is wrong or how to fix it or prevent a reoccurrence.  But all I can do is keep looking for answers.

At least whatever it is seems to be improving.  I'm feeling steadier and stronger, especially the last few days.  But I've got a long way to go before I get back to where I was even 8 weeks ago.

Dailies:

Monday: 9 "miles" of pool-running and upper body weights/core.   Foam rolling at night. 

Tuesday: 5 miles (10:12), an arc-trainer workout of three sets of 4x(90 seconds hard, 30 seconds easy) with 60 seconds easy between each set, and then 3 miles (9:27).  Followed with leg strengthwork and 500 yards recovery swimming.  Foam rolling in evening.

Wednesday:  Streaming yoga and 8 miles very easy (9:45), plus drills and hill strides.   Foam rolling in evening.

Thursday: 12 miles including 8 hill repeats of about 2:15-2:20 each.  Followed with leg strengthwork and 500 yards recovery swimming.  Foam rolling at night. 

Friday: 9 "miles" of pool-running and upper body weights/core.

Saturday: 8 miles (9:24), streaming yoga, and 4 miles (9:21) plus drills and strides

Sunday: 14.5 miles progressive, split as first 5 averaging 9:24 pace, next 5 miles averaging 8:12 pace, next 4.5 miles averaging 7:18 pace, plus a half-mile cooldown.  Followed with leg strengthwork and 500 yards recovery swimming.