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Friday, August 1, 2008

The Hip.


It all started 11 months ago.

I was training for what would have been my 4th marathon. Now, I had taken some time off in the winter and spring and probably jumped back into running too quickly (translation: I ate a lot of cookies in the winter time and got lazy). But the first half of my training went so smoothly...all until that 17 mile run one day in September.

I noticed my hip was a little achy after that run. Immediately I diagnosed myself with bursitis (every doctor must really hate WebMD, thanks to people like me). I've diagnosed myself with it before, and after taking off a week or two, taking ibuprofen, and icing my hip, I had been just fine. So, I did just that. Only....it didn't get better. I tried to do an 18 mile run the next Saturday and made it only a half mile down the road before bursting into tears. I knew something was wrong.

I couldn't afford to skip too many long runs, but I took another week off. STILL not better. The first sports medicine doctor told me it was bursitis. Ha! I knew it! I should be a consultant for WebMD! Or maybe go to Med School?? He gave me a cortisone shot, told me to do Physical Therapy, and sent me on my way. He said no running, but the elliptical and/or walking was okay. I was bummed about the marathon, but excited that I could continue my exercise.

All winter, my hip refused to get better and stay better. I went to a chiropractor who adjusted me...still not better. Went back to the doctor who gave me another shot...still not better. I even tried a different doctor to get a second opinion - he told me he didn't know what it was. His guess? A muscle strain. Sigh. What is this, an episode of "House" or something?? If so, were is Dr. Chase? I would like to be examined by HIM.

The one thing that has brought some relief in all of this is acupuncture. I am not getting the "traditional" acupuncture, but electroacupuncture. The needles are inserted directly into the areas that are painful, hooked up to electrodes, and varying electrical pulses are then sent to that area for about 10 minutes. This doctor (also a chiropractor) also gave me a lift to wear in my left shoe, because that leg is shorter.

I've also decided to take time off from the only cardio I had been doing (the elliptical and walking). It will be 4 weeks tomorrow. I'm itching to get back in the gym, but I am terrified that it will make my hip worse again.

I just hope and pray I'll be able to run one day. SO many people have given me the, "Oh...well, you will have to find something else to do!" or, "Well, running IS so hard on your body! How about walking instead?" But running was my passion, where I sorted out all my problems, and the only physical thing that I feel I am good at.

Okay, I lie. I can do a kick ass tripod headstand like you wouldn't believe.

3 comments:

carla said...

ok I got kinda distratced here:
I can do a kick ass tripod headstand like you wouldn't believe.

I want a photo.
and I think people if they dont 'have' an outletpassion like your running (my weights) dont 'get' it...that they arent trying to minimize (at least that's what I tell myself)

do you lift at all?

beyond that, Im a big believer in the Law of Attraction.
the visualizing.

please to sit on the couch and VISUALIZE yourself running. miles. happily and PAINFREE.

caint hurt ;)

MizFit

Holly said...

Ha! I will try to get on that photo so that I can have proof.

I think you are right...I tell myself they are miserable and don't understand what it's like to actually be passionate about something. (Mean, but it makes me feel better....)

I don't lift, mostly because I feel like a fish out of water when it comes to that area of the gym. I have been thinking a lot lately about hiring a trainer just to show me what to do.

And, yes!!! I will try the visualizing. You are so right - doesn't hurt anything to try.

Thanks for the insight!!

WeightingGame said...

I've never run a amarathon but I did this 50-mile MS walk and training for it totally messed up my hip. Like, I remember dancing at my brother's wedding and my hip just kept popping in and out of the socket. Not pretty (makes for a great Funky Chicken, tho!) Only when I sTOPPEd training (after the walk, which was a week later) did my hip pain stop. I think you're making the right (albeit difficult, I know) choice.