It is with great displeasure that I write this post informing you of my most recent trip to the doctors. Osteitis Pubis. That’s what the doctor said. It’s always a good thing when the doctor gives you a diagnosis and then has x-rays to confirm his diagnosis not the other way around. But not a good thing when the answer means I must stop running. After 3 different doctors, 3 chiropractors, body clinics, and a lot of pain, frustration and more pain, I finally have an answer to my groin issue that started in May.

When I discussed this challenge with the We Are One 365 Team back in October, I couldn’t have been more excited. Training was going well, I was incredibly goal oriented and motivated and thought that this would put even more accountability on my end to make sure that I was doing everything I could to accomplish my goals and get to the Olympic Trials, regardless of the pain I was experiencing. I was getting faster. I was getting more and more fit. But the pain was getting worse and worse. I was trying to convince myself that the pain was getting better and, for the most part, I was believing my own lie. The pain got so bad that getting in and out of cars, rolling around in bed and even sneezing caused an excruciating level of pain that I knew could not have been normal training pains. This combined with 20 mile workouts doesn’t mesh well as I was finally given a reality check. I was so pumped for the challenge, for the trials and for my overall running career that I just kept working harder and harder instead of working smart. I didn’t listen to my body which is the worst part because that is one of my biggest preaching mantras.

So as I stood in the doctors office on Wednesday, I asked him was would happen if I continued pushing through the pain, continued training and stuck to my plan. His answer was so devastatingly simple, “You will cause permanent damage and end more than just this season.” That left me with two options. Continue to be stubborn and push through and end not only my running career but any pain free athletic activity at a very young age but be able to complete the challenge or take time off, get healthy, and resume training when the bones have recovered and save not only my career but my body. It was a no brainer.

If I was able to run faster than I ever have during the past 5 months while experiencing this pain, if anything, it has given me confidence that I have a lot more than I thought if I get back at this with a healthy body and bone structure. Like I always say, always remember…never forget…no regrets. This definitely would have been a regret. Time to re-evaluate, rest, and prepare myself mentally for the next 8-12 weeks. Who knows what will happen after that but I’m pretty excited to get back to normal and then get back to work.

As the We Are One 365 team will continue this blog for the next 315 days, I will join back up with them in what will hopefully seem like no time at all. I will still be around for questions and will actually be researching more and more about recovering techniques and how to maintain my fitness during this time.

Thanks to all my followers and the support you have given me, this blog, and the We Are One 365 community. Keep up your hard work and remember to listen to your body.

We Are One 365.

AR. NF. NR.

Nick

I went on a run with my brother on my last day in NH. Although he is my younger brother, I look up to the kid. He’s got it all together and the world is literally in the palm of his hand. He keeps me motivated, striving for more, and always holds me to a higher level of accountability in everything. I love the kid. Glad I got to spend so much time with him over this holiday break. He is the best.

We Are One 365.

AR. NF. NR.

Nick

Ran a light 3 miles. Foot is hurting. Groin is hurting. Still pushing through. Another Dr.’s appointment today. This puts the tally up to 3 doctors, 3 chiropractors, a body alignment clinic and a lot of frustration. Hopefully I’ll get some info today.

Lots of good New Year Day races out there. We Are One 365.

AR. NF. NR.

Nick

The boys went to the gym to play ball. My foot was feeling a little better so of course I took that as an A-OK to play basketball after my run. At least I had an excuse for why I was so bad. Need the next three days to really recover and get my foot back to normal for when I return to LA. Need to start logging the miles again.

7 miles

We Are One 365.

AR. NF. NR.

Nick

After an awesome Christmas, the whole fam got up and went to the YMCA. My Dad, who can still kick my ass, did some biking, elliptical, and weights. My mom ran on the treadmill and did some spinning. My sisters biked next to each other and raced on the new bikes that have the race simulation monitors. My brother, brother-in-law, and soon to be brother-in-law played basketball in some heated full court battles. And I erged, ran (3), biked, ellipticalled, lifted legs, and ran some more (2). Lots of fun to workout with the fam and see everyone in such good shape. We all ate a ton of turkey and crown roast leftovers afterwards.

Safe travels to everyone as they return home to work, school, and their busy lives. We Are One 365.

AR. NF. NR.

Nick

What an unbelievably fun Christmas day. Exhausted from eating, laughing, and being with the best people ever.Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

2 miles

We are One 365.

AR. NF. NR.

Nick

Raced 3000 meters at the Boston University banked track this morning. I didn’t have any expectations of how the race would go. I’m in good shape and have been working hard but I wasn’t prepping for this race. If anything, this week was a down week because of injuries. My groin has been acting up and my Achilles has been having some real issues. I just wanted to get a race in while I was home so my family could see me run.

3000m is 200m short of two miles. I ran a personal best of 8:19. My foot was hurting during the warm up, stride outs and pre race sprints. Adrenaline carried me through most of the race since it was so much shorter than the races I have been doing. I wasn’t paying attention to the laps and thought I had one more to go but I didn’t. Probably a good thing that I didn’t sprint my last lap since I could barely walk on my foot afterwards. A big PR and not a bad time this early in the season. Felt very comfortable and not like I was pushing it at all.

We Are One 365.

AR. NF. NR.

Nick

I’m pretty nervous for tomorrows race. I know I’ll run well but my whole family will be there so it always brings the nerves.Took this week pretty easy in order to be rested. Had a lot of issues with the groin and foot and with about 3.5 solid months of training, a week of relative rest is needed. So much work to do to run fast times this year. I’ve been working hard but laundry machines work hard. I need to start working smart.

Hopefully I’ll have some fast legs on me tomorrow.

We Are One 365.

AR. NF. NR.

Nick

Great to see We Are One 365  team member James Epstein, who is actually getting back to his normal, Slim, self. Keep up the good work buddy.

I was a little tired after the evening shenanigans with Mr. Epstein but it was well worth it. Sorry I’m not sorry that my brother and I completely took over his apartment. The night out on the town with some friends, well actually it was just one bar, was not exactly shall we say the most responsible night in regards to my training regimen. Nonetheless, it was definitely a workout. At least an ab workout.

Getting pumped for Saturday’s race in Boston so today and tomorrow will be very easy days preparing for that. Need to make sure my right foot is healthy in order to get a good time to start this indoor season. Rest and recovery are key

Hope everyone has safe travels home to their families or wherever you are going for the holidays. We Are One 365.

About a mile shake out run around my street circle.

AR. NF. NR.

Nick

I somehow managed to get up early and run to the  bike trail that goes from Nashua, NH all the way down to Boston. Obviously, I did not go that far but I did manage to go about 5 plus miles out listening to some Marketplace on NPR on my ipod. It was pretty cold out but it was a nice change being all bundled up and not just short shorts. The run was alright. Good to get the legs moving for 70 minutes plus.

Went to the YMCA with my brother. Did about 20 minutes of erging and it actually loosened up my hip/groin area which was a new feeling. Then dominated him on the basketball court. From losing 7 games to him the other day, it felt good to pretty solidly defeat him in the first 3. Then he came back to win the next two which were very close. The 6th game was a fluke on his part as he was hitting the most ridiculous shots and knew that he had to win to stay alive (series of 7…obviously). The last game was tight and it didn’t help that I went down 4 to nothing early. But after I started making it rain, it was 5-4. Then the fouls started being called on things that we just let go the first few games. But like always, the last game is the most heated. Most comparable to this series would probably be the most recent match-up of the Lakers vs. Celtics in 2010. And just like that series, the kid from LA brings home the title today. Until next time…

We Are One 365.

AR. NF. NR.

Nick