I had spinal surgery in 2008 as a result of 2 herniated discs. I posted on many chat rooms and forums in a panicked attempt to find out what my future might look like in the aftermath of my injury. I was told by a couple physical therapists and doctors that I should give up my dream of running a 100 miler and I should probably stop running altogether. Yet, I was also encouraged by other medical professionals (including my surgeon) to keep going.
After much online research I found evidence to support any potential outcome- from never running again to returning to training after a only couple a months off. I still receive messages from people who are facing surgery themselves and see the trail of my posts along the internet. If this is you, here is a very brief history of my life and my injury:
-In 2005 I weighed 320lbs and was suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre diabetes and was a life long chronic back pain sufferer.
-I lost 150lbs, found sobriety through endurance sports, ran several marathons, and did a 70.3 Tri.
-I decided I wanted to run the Leadville 100.
-In December of 2007 I was experiencing a range of symptoms including shooting electrical pain in both hamstrings and glutes. I couldn't stand without horrible pain in my right calve.
-January 2008 I was diagnosed with a massively herniated S1/L5 and a bulging L4/L5.
-I had a steroid injection and tried to return to cycle and swim training.
-After a short time my L4/L5 herniated causing major pain and prevented me from being able to walk. I tried a second injection of steroids to no avail.
-March of 2008 I had a 2 level microdiscectomy to remove the herniated material impinging the nerves.
-I was cleared to walk after a couple days of rest. I walked approximately 200 feet to the end of my street and back to my house. I collapsed in my chair exhausted and cried.
-I walked and walked over the next several weeks. A quarter mile, a half mile and eventually I was walking 20 miles a week.
-I was cleared to swim- I swam. Like crazy I swam 3000-4000 meters a day.
-I was cleared to cycle after about 3 months- I did so. I was on my trainer for hours on end.
-I was cleared to run. I didn't. I waited. I was nervous.
-I worked my core like it was my job.
-I ran a mile. It was 10 minutes and it was the most horrible, beautiful mile I ever ran.
-I continued to run. There were set backs- the tingling and ghost numbness would return and scare the shit out of me. I rested- then ran some more.
-7 months to the day of my surgery, in October of 2008, I ran the Denver Marathon. It was on the 3rd anniversary of my sobriety and it was the first marathon I ever ran back in 2006- I took me 5:04 to do it (my previous PR was 3:48)
-What happened next was nothing short of a miracle (at least to me) I decided to resume my Leadville 100 dream.
-I entered the Boulder 100 in 2009 after spending the rest 2008 of getting more base miles in...
- I DNFed the Boulder 100
-I spent all of 2010 training my ass off and finished the Leadville 100 in 28:21.
- I returned in 2011 and ran the Leadville 100 in 23:50.
-7 weeks after Leadville I won the 12 Hours of Boulder (on the same course as Boulder 100) and just missed setting the course record.
-In 2012 I ran across the state of Colorado for charity doing a 50k a day for 10 days in a row.
-This year I completed my lifetime goal of competing in The Badwater 135- I finished in 41 hours.
I put this out there only for the people who need it. I am not a gifted athlete. I am not a special case. If you are injured- Be smart, don't get discouraged and keep fighting for your dream.
David Clark
David Clark
