But it began ordinary.Bonnie came down at 6:30 am to walk. We headed up the hill to Moravia street, and out to Hertzog. It was really shady and in the mid 70s, but you could cut the air with a knife because it's so humid. On Moravia we stopped and picked some wineberries for breakfast. Before the birds get them.
As we headed down Hertzog, Bonnie asks "Can we go to the Wawa?" "For a bathroom?" I replied. I then had to break it to her that the Fountain Hill Wawa has no bathrooms. And Bottom Dollar didn't open till 8.
We continued down the hill and back Sioux. My house was two miles on the dot. While we took a break I poured us some nice cold tap water. Yum.
We left my place and headed out Itaska, down Fiot, up Fiot, and out Seneca. At Seneca and Seminol we saw a man and his dog. I complimented the man on how well behaved the dog was. I referred to the dog as a he. When the man spoke, I'm thinking wait, I know that man and his dog. And the dogs a she. Her name is Vivian. He's married to the colleague I car pool with. She's gotten so big since I last saw her. And I think her coloring has changed.
When we reached Delaware, we came back Delaware, down Bishopthorpe and home. Total 3.55 miles.
The out of the ordinary part.
Frequently at 5ks they have massage tables or chiropractors at the events. They are doing mini workout. Generally they are sponsors. I always take advantage of the free stuff. Thursday at the Firecracker 4 miler they always have Dr. Schulze from AccuCare Chiropractic there. That's who Bonnie goes to.
If you are a consistent reader, you read about the actual race on Independence Day. What I didn't mention what happened after the race. We finished the race, and the sweat was pouring off us. Bonnie headed to the bathroom, I headed to the chiropractor area. We always do this before the race. But since we were late, we didn't. I filled out the form and went to the massage area first. Then it was my turn with Dr. Schulze. He sees me and says "Hi. Is this the year are you going to come in?" I said "maybe". He has worked on me, what, four times now? I sit down and he feels my neck and says tells me my neck is really tight. Well, sure, I had just finished walking. (I never realized how tight my neck gets until yesterday walking the eight miles. By mile six or so, my shoulders and neck were so tight. I tried stretching and it was fruitless. I digress.) He did little but try and loosen my neck.
Now I've been thinking about massage and a chiropractor for a long time. When I walk long distances the muscle from my butt to my thigh always hurts. And it's way cheaper than an orthopedist. With one exception, I've had very positive results from both at races, especially at the Avon.
The bottom line is I don't like change. The status quo is perfect for me. Even if it's broke, I'll fix myself--half assed. I don't like doctors and have no health insurance. (Gotta solve that problem by January!). I talk myself out of things even if they are ultimately good. For example, I really don't like getting naked in front of strangers so I balk at massage. But I'm doing it after the half marathon. Maybe after that I'll get a stone one, the only one that really intrigues me.
I grew up hearing chiropractors being referred to as quack-a-practors. So I'm a lot squeamish and chicken too. It's my neck and spine. If 1/1,000,000 people have a horrible result, that person, in my mind, will be me.
Anyway, he said, I can't really fix this here. I need a lot more information. You really should come in. I'm thinking, no I don't have a $150 dollars to see you. The he adds, "if you book an appointment today, the initial visit is $20. Check get's made out to the YMCA." I had no more excuses. (Other than terror.) I made the appointment. It's at 10:30.
I guess I better get ready!
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update
This I know for sure: I've been compensating a lot for my spinal deficiencies. I apparently have a high tolerance for pain. The doctor kept asking, are you sure that doesn't hurt? It should. Only once in the hour and a half I was there did I say ouch.
He explained things very carefully and completely. I however don't remember any of it. I have a science filter in my brain. It goes in one ear and out the other. Maybe I should take Bonnie with me.
I do, however, understand pictures. And when the thermal scan came up on the computer I knew that Pinocchio's nose on my lower was not a good thing. When he switched it to picture view, it got worse. I have two cold spots. See, I told you I was good at compensating.
My left leg, the one I have the pain in, is really weak. Odd, I think since I do so much walking. Only once while he was twisting and turning did I say ouch. He said "it's about time." We were almost done.
He asked me about injuries and I told him I fall a lot. I should have said my middle name is "splat'. I totally forgot about my back injury two or three years ago. That came up in a conversation late in the exam. I think I gave him the missing piece.
The $20 donation covered the comprehensive exam and the thermo scan. Not x-rays. He asked what insurance I had, and I said "none". He did them free. Really. I was shocked too.
I have to go back two more times, and for a workshop. We'll see after that. We didn't talk money or how many times a week, but once school starts again, it will be tough to do.
