Injuries

Sadly for the next month this blog is going to be more about epiphanies I'm having about running rather than those that I get while running. I visited the doctor this week to see what was wrong with my nagging left hamstring injury. After a series of routine tests, he diagnosed me with what I thought was the problem: tendonitis. But he also said that my left leg is much weaker than my right leg, despite equal levels of muscle mass. I told him I wanted to start training in January for a May marathon, so he is recommending a month off of running and two weeks of anti-inflammatories. When I see him again on Nov. 17, he may ask me to see a specialist for another series of tests.
Although I'm going to have to find a way to keep in shape, I don't mind a few weeks off the road especially after five months of hard training. It is better that I take some time now than in the middle of my marathon training. If anyone has any ideas on how I can keep in good condition while not running please post them. He said I could swim and go for long dog walks, but I failed to ask whether cycling and ellipitical training were permitted. Those exercises shouldn't be a problem, his main concern was not exacerbating the hamstring injury by continuing the repetitive running motion.