Sometimes, when things are going great and the workouts are feeling awesome, our stupid bodies find a way to tell us to chill. In my case, this is happening with my hip. In my 10 years of running, I've only had a few aches/pains that have stopped me from running completely - bad ITB issues after my 1st marathon in 2003, achilles tendonitis while training for the 2006 Houston Marathon and pretty bad shin splints sometime after that. I'm not counting the broken toe, since that was a stupid, non-running related injury. And now, after having a great NYC marathon and some good runs afterwards, my hip is deciding to protest.
To help let my hip get some rest, I took a few days off from running last week in hope of being able to still run my 18-miler on Saturday. At the start of my 18-miler, the hip hurt a little - more of an uncomfortable feeling, rather than extreme pain. By mile 5, I noticed that the hip didn't bother me at all. The rest of the 18-miler went great! In fact, I'd say it was one of my best long runs this year. My pace was consistent, my energy level never waned...maybe it was the Hammer Gel I've been experimenting with or maybe it was the pleasantly cool weather. It even drizzled off and on during my last 5 miles, but even that didn't bother me. My run felt so amazing, that I actually wanted to keep going! I decided to stick to the Coach's schedule and not overdo it...but I did add another .5 on the way back to my house. :-) After my run, as the day went on, the hip felt okay - a little achey? Yes, but overall not bad. Sunday, it continued to ache, but again, nothing major.
On Monday, I headed out for my 4-miler. As soon as I started, the hip hurt with every step on my right foot. After 2 miles, I stopped and walked for a bit. After a 1/2 mile of walking, I started up again...it was cold and dreary outside. I had dressed warm enough for a run, but not warm enough for a walk! After making it home, I logged in my workout. In no time, I received an e-mail from Coach saying, "When you are hurting STOP! No running by any means for the next 4 days". I was also advised to stretch, stretch, stretch, so that's what I am doing. I tried the spin class at my gym yesterday and also got in a 2100 yd swim. Today, instead of running 5 miles, I headed to the gym and used the elliptical there. It felt like a punishment at first, but honestly it wasn't too bad! I had my iPod shuffle to listen to, and I watched E! (and read the closed caption)...I never have time to watch TV these days, so that was sorta nice.
I have an appointment to see a Dr on Tuesday of next week. I am hoping there's nothing too serious going on with my hip! Until then, spin, swim and elliptical it is! All that I know is that I have no biking or swimming for the next 2 weeks during my taper...I hope I am able to run again soon, or I might go crazy!
Have you been sidelined with injuries? How have you coped with not being able to run?
4 comments:
Oh gosh, I'm sorry to read this. An ornery hip is exactly to blame for my two DNS marathons last fall.
I hope yours behaves well enough to get your race in pain-free.
OOh I hope your hip gets better ASAP!
I had pain in my hip and it turned out to be a pelvic stress fracture and I didn't run for FIVE months.......but I got into biking and swimming during that time, so it was a blessing in disguise. Good luck!
God, do I know what you're saying...
I was sidelined for over a year & a half with a tibia stress fracture. If it were not for spin class, aqua jogging, & my bike, I would've been a crazy person.
Ugh, how frustrating!! I'm not doing a great job of coming back slowly from a summer/fall shin stress (almost fracture) and with running as my only exercise while traveling, it's been a bit sore lately, too. Hope the rest will do the trick!
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