Half-Marathon - Yay or Nay

Today I have my follow-up appointment with the doctor about my back, the last appointment I wanted to get out of the way before I officially registered for my first Half Marathon.  Got the all clear from one doctor last week and today is other.  Back has felt great, definitely better since I started moving and I have felt great....until yesterday.

Just my luck, this happens the day before I go back to the doctor.  I was headed out to the gym for my scheduled 4 mile run.  Went to put my gym bag in the car and slipped on a patch of ice.  I didn't fall, just kind of twisted funny.  I thought since I didn't fall, everything was good, and I hopped in the car and headed to the gym.  When I got to the gym and got out of the car, I started feeling it a little in my lower back.  Uh-oh, I thought. That doesn't feel good.  I still went in.  After getting changed I did a little stretching in the locker room and then headed to the treadmill.  I got the 4 miles in (not the best run though), and then headed home.

By the time I got home, the pain and burning had started and was really difficult over the course of the afternoon.  After dinner, it felt like it was easing up a bit.  I got the heating pad out and just relaxed.   I've had this one other time since I saw this doctor.  Other than that, it's been great.  Figures it would flare up now, right?

So I'm still having the pain this morning.  I don't know if it's the sciatic or not.  It's definitely in the left hip, butt area, but doesn't really go down the back of the leg.  It goes down the side of the leg and into the knee.  Yesterday, it went all the way down to the foot.

I'm a little frustrated and anxious this morning, especially since it wasn't the running/training I've been doing that caused this.  It was a stupid patch of ice on the driveway!!!!!  I'm hoping and praying that I don't get sidelined from running again, but that may be what happens.  We'll see.  I am determined to run this half-marathon in October and there is another in November as well.  I've got 9 months before the big day.  So my plan was to take it slow and steady with the training.   Fingers crossed that this is no big deal.  I DON'T WANT to take more medicines.  I don't want to be told I can't run, and running makes me feel good!

It took me 40 years to have what I consider to be a very healthy, active lifestyle.  I want to be one of those people who's still running in their 50's, 60's, and hell, maybe even 70's!  

So we shall see what happens.  Fingers crossed and wish me luck!