Nick Karwoski here. Getting back into a cross training routine. Today was a 30 mile bike ride around Santa Monica and by Will Rogers State Park.

Matt Wood went for a run today on behalf of our organization in Disney would for day 51 of the 365 day challenge.

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