I’ll try ANYTHING!
Close up:
Even if it involves putting a bunch of suction cups on my hip and ass (maybe that’s especially if it involves a bunch of suction cups on my hip and ass)! It’s called “cupping” and supposedly it helps break up the scar tissue that’s restricting my soft tissue. (I actually tried cupping once before, back in 2003 – that time it was the “fire cupping” where the suction is caused by a little flame that sucks the air out of the cup. This way hurt more but is definitely less dangerous!) I started seeing a new ART/manual therapy guy right before our trip to LA and had my third session with him today. He comes very well recommended by a few friends. He spends most of each hour-long session really ripping my body apart. From neck to toes, it sometimes feels like he’s tearing my skin off. But with the hope that it will work, I don’t complain. He wanted to try the cupping as part of today’s treatment and like the title says, at this point, anything’s a go. He stuck about 10 of them on my hip, ass cheek and low back, pulled a little plunger to get a tight suction and left them there for a few minutes.
Training’s coming along. The ART guy hasn’t worked a miracle yet, but I might be getting a little better and I’ve got one more session with him next week. I’m still getting my miles in and still planning on making the trip to Boston. I’m trying not to think too much about what comes after that.
Treadmill Run/Walk – February 13
Distance: 3.4 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Average heart rate: 138
Run/Walk – February 14
Distance: 7.75 miles
Time: 1:20 (10 min. walking warm-up, 12x 5 min. run/1 min. walk)
Average heart rate: 141
Course: Northwest Woods, East Hampton
Conditions: Beautiful morning, mid-30’s, sunny and clear
Swim – February 15
Distance: 2,100 yards
Time: 40 minutes
Run/Walk – February 16
Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: 50 minutes (10 min. walking warm-up, 8x 4 min. run/1 min. walk)
Average heart rate: 134
Course: Wainscott, house to beach
Conditions: Sunny, clear, mid-30’s, really nice
Indoor bike – February 17
Time: 30 minutes
Average heart rate: 121
Strength – February 17