Advice - people write me for advice all the time (advice on training and running, I'm not Dear Abby).  Here's what I think about everything arranged by topic.

Back Problems

Let me preface all this by saying I really don't care for being the answer man for all back problems, because every "back problem" is a little different.  It's kind of analogous to the way Siskel and Ebert never liked having their reviews reduced to "thumbs up" or "thumbs down."  There's this whole billion dollar industry built up around the treatment of back problems and I'm guessing most of that is unnecessary.  Nevertheless, I was diagnosed with a slightly herniated disk L5-S1 in 1997 which causes tightness running down my left leg.  As a result, I run funny when I try to go fast, and drop my left leg prematurely.  I don't have any lower back pain (that's what everyone in the medical profession from chiropractors to physical therapists to doctors assumes as soon as you walk in the door "let's see what we can do about your lower back pain").  But you know they never listen, and they give you the same treatment they give the guy with the gut (of course he's in pain, he's carrying an extra 50 lbs in his front).  Here's what I have found works and doesn't work over the years:

I've tried a lot of things, and it seems I'm always looking for new answers.  The latest thing is someone told me usually when people start with these odd gaits, with runners, it's usually something that starts with the lower body (i.e. an old injury causing other problems). With this in mind, I'm beginning to look at the idea that my left leg soreness is caused by right leg weakness. I've snapped both ankles several times in my youth.

My right foot always rolls out, instead of being able to push off, bringing my body to the right, so I'm using my wobble board to strengthen my right ankle.  Of course, no one is ever going to be exactly even, but that's what I'm looking at.

my house looks like a small physical therapy office with all sorts of training devices.

The best purchase I've made so far is that reverse sit-up board ($155)

A few other things I've tried:

-it's all in the head. I read the book "Mind over back pain" by John Sarno. most of his patients were much worse off than me, but it's only $11, so give it a read

-AI stretching.  Look at The Wharton's stretch book by Jim and Phil Wharton.

-I no longer wear my orthotics.

-Wobble board, as is available at Fitter Sports

-I sometimes kneel at my desk, rather than sit.

-massage

-those "goosebump" massage balls. used under your butt.

-maybe try a good chiropractor for a while only as a last resort, don't get sucked into a life-long commitment.  My chiropractor, Rob Destefano, practices ART, or Active Release Technique, which is supposed to be effective on most soft tissue injuries.

-put vaseline on and around your lips when it's below 32. you can even put it on your face. heap it on. the stuff is cheap.

-always wear a hat. if a hat is too hot for you, wear a head band, then you can keep your ears warm, and still let heat out the top.

-wear gloves. if you can't find any lying around the house, wear socks on your hands.

-if the cars are getting too close, just step off the road for a second while they pass. high snow banks make for narrow and slippery roads

-wear something with wicking properties as your first layer (thermax or polypropylene work) thermax is good because you can put it in the dryer.

-when it's super cold (like, say, 11 or below) consider putting something across your face to warm the air you breathe. a ski mask, a neck warmer.

-if you're a man, and it's below 20, wear some tri-shorts underneath. or a second layer of underwear somehow.

-your speed work will be slower in the cold. that's OK. just keep training.

Back to the Joe LeMay Home Page