Although it’s called an athletic hernia, it’s not a bulgy thing like a proper hernia, more of a strain/pull/weakness.
It’s probably not overuse from swimming in your case. Were you lying to your physio? 
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I only consume like 1 unit of alcohol a week and I swim 5 times. Honest Doc.
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When I got checked a long time ago he pressed where the gap is and my eyes nearly popped out 
it was painful and burning for hours afterwards 
I think I’ve caught this early enough to avoid it getting really aggravated.
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Had to re-read that. I thought you meant be pressed on your forehead in the gap between your eyes.
Have seen that done, but only as part of checking if someone is actually dead.
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Took myself to the docs on Fri. Obvs didn’t hot any of his red flags and he seemed pretty unconcerned. Said to dose up on para and ibu for a week, and bets thing to do, if I was able, was to go get some private physio. Bit frustrating, but I guess also a silver lining in it being nothing worse.
Started to wonder if I was protecting it too much. Still walking around like a plank of wood. Mrs GB did say I look exhausted at the mo, despite getting plenty of sleep.
Have been feeling really useless the last month, which I was worrying was sending me down that negative spiral where the less you do, the lower your mojo and motivation gets.
Popped out to do some light gardening. Trying to do something helpful. Back was aching a bit bending down, but not too painful. Did 10 mins or so, went to straighten up to carry the bucket and BANG. There it is. Big shock of pain. Couldn’t straighten up. Couldn’t carry the bucket.
Eased off after a bit. But boy am I fucking frustrated right now. Struggled to even put my trainers on after that.
Am going to the Beacons/Bannau next sat with the boys. They’re all running 40/45km or so. I said I’d just go odd on my own for a hike instead, so I still get the social aspect. I must admit though, as stupid as it is, I was getting tempted to just join them anyway for the run. But this has put a stop to that silly idea. Probs for the best.
First world probs and a bit of a whinge as I lie on the lounge floor hoping this bugger eases off so I can walk to the beach before lunch for some sea therapy.
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Ok latest update in my saga. After the above post, I really struggled on the Sun. Put me back a good 4 weeks to how it felt at the start of this episode.
Drove to work yesterday and could barely blimmin move without a shock of pain for the first few hours at work. I think it’s a bit off putting (for everyone in the room) when you’re doing a lot of stupid whincing/pain faces every time you shift in a seat or go to grab a water bottle! 
Felt a tad better today. Little positives.
Saw the osteo again to get some advice on this weekend. He’s still pretty confident it’s a light/not complicate version of a bulging disc; but appreciates how exhausting it is and how difficult it is for people like us to not be out there moving with purpose and being useless for weeks on end.
My big question was around my Brecon trip this weekend. I’m definitely going, as the mental aspect of spending time with my friends is very high up on my list of needs at the mo. What I didn’t know was a) is it a really silly idea to be hiking solo in the cold and wet and b) if I do, will i be making things worse.
His opinion is that I won’t cause any long term damage if I do go, as long as I don’t get really silly with it. Of course there’s the possibility of a slip/trip sending the back into full spasm. But then even if I was healthy, there’s the risk of a fall when running in the mountains. So that’s acceptable risk to me. He did say there’ll likely be a short term backlash from my body.
With where I am at the mo - fed up - i’m willing to take the physical beating that’ll inevitably come next week in order to get the mental gains of being with friends (for part of the weekend) and then spending time properly outdoors. Even if the weather is looking annoyingly crap!
So if you don’t hear from me on Sunday … i may be hanging off the side of Cribyn or something! 
This could be a great decision … or a terrible one. I’ve always been pretty open to risk; so let’s roll the die and see what happens!
All in on black!
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Chin up mate, hope it heals soon.
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Another plus one for pachas recommendation
I often rehash this story without the humour and wit
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Listened to half a pod so far (a different one). Really interesting - thanks both.
Doesn’t feel like, for my personal situation, I’m in the long term phase yet. But I know nothing about this!
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Calf has been really tight for 2 weeks which made me a complete grump - a three hour walk out of Fort William seems to have fixed it 
A day later I woke up with the lower back of a 97 year old. Been really sore ever since. I suspect it’s probably too much time sat in my car driving around Scotland.
Currently flat on my back doing some gentle stretching (not a euphemism)
Grr
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Back to the physio again this morning. He thinks a lot of the inflammation has gone and decent progress, got some ultrasound. It has been a bit sore for the last day or so after I was a bit stupid and decided to do some adductor exercises with the band going back next Thursday.
He didn’t say don’t bike or run, but didn’t say I could either 
I’ll be sensible and won’t run, will probably continue with the elliptical and stairmill as they’re low impact and haven’t caused problems. Might have a couple of short goes on Zwift as well and see how that goes.
My RHR & HRV have remained high though this week, not sure if I’m still fighting the virus a bit which seems a long time, although my sinuses still aren’t right with quite a lot of gunk 
or maybe it is a bit of detraining\lack of training. Sleep score is still poorer than usual.
Pretty sure I’m improving though, just slowly!
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Back seems to have (thankfully) returned to baseline now after my stupidity last weekend. In fact, it’s maybe even a tiny bit better dare I say.
Was in absolute pieces last Sat-Mon, but things gradually eased off. I still have big trouble with certain positions - mainly to do with being seated in some way. That’s when I get the big shocks from the spine. The rest of the time it’s more aching.
Biggest annoyance is it has such an impact on everything else. I’m just so incredibly weak right now. Had 5.5 hrs to really focus in on it last weekend. You don’t relajse how much you use your back until you ‘lose’ it. All the power generation goes through it, so even if it wasn’t hurting couldn’t generate any sort of drive in arms or legs.
Its going to be a really slow build back up from this at what will be an all time low I think. Both strength and cardio fitness. 6 weeks of barely moving now is hammering me.
I’ve started to do some exercises, and I can do them ok so far. But they’re pretty pathetic! Getting pretty worried that I’m not gonna make the start line of my race next April. But trying to hold positive, but it’s hard when I feel so pathetic. Really really wanted to go into this one in full beast mode for once. 
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As usual when things start to hurt I have started doing yoga again
Just wish I could keep it up when things feels better
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I’ve been doing some weights with not cycling and running, I know I should keep it up but probably won’t
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Im still sore after my car accident 7 weeks ago; I went for a medical assessment mid November who said you will probably have limited mobility in neck and pain for 4 months. Im tired of headaches, odd sleeping patterns and my should feels like rotator cuff or bursitis (had that in left and feels similar) also bad Golfers elbow in right arm . Back is much better but still can be troublesome some mornings. Went to gym for first time Monday and left me quite sore, both DOMS and real pain. Have swum a couple of times, but only 400/800m each time and left me sore after. headaches sporadic now, but usually after exercise they worsen.
6 physio sessions in now and its better but really frustrating.
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Went to see the spine specialist today. It was an NHS centre, so more of a triage. Surprisingly, she spent a lot of time with me, looked at the physio I’d done and didn’t do the knee-jerk ‘stop running’ statement.
Been referred for an MRI in the new year and prescribed some ‘ neuro blocker ‘ tablets but I forget the fancy name.
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calf went again half way through run club 8km race this evening.
Not badly but I stopped and walked it home just to be safe (in 2° in shorts and T shirt 
)
Doesn’t feel as bad as last time, yes I know @APM , really shouldn’t do park run on Saturday but probably will 
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I’ve had the date for the stomach investigation, Jan 20th.
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Welcome to most of our worlds.
Hope you mend quickly.
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