So, a few weeks ago I recounted my hip flexor fail and how my running and half-marathon training plans were temporarily on hold until July. Push that back for at least another month. Friends, this setback has cut into my running and it is unbelievably frustrating. Setbacks at any juncture are unwelcome, but sometimes we just have to deal. Turns out, I suffered several micro-tears in the muscle and potentially have bursitis in my hip, as well. According to the Mayo Clinic:
Bursitis (bur-SY-tis) is a painful condition that affects the small fluid-filled pads — called bursae (bur-SEE) — that act as cushions among your bones and the tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed.
The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow and hip. But you can also have bursitis by your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion.
It doesn’t feel the greatest. I have started physical therapy and will continue that for the next month at the very least. Because I cannot run without pain, I’ve been walking. A LOT. I just moved to Denver, Colorado for a new job and graduate school, so walking has been a great way to get to know my neighborhood and surrounding areas. Work and my school are within walking distance, as well, which makes it easy to just keep moving. I’m walking between 3 and 6 miles a day – the dog is loving it.
I’m still hoping to run my half in October, but my September one might be a little out of reach.
In going to physical therapy, I have had to face the fact (again) that I am a terrible stretcher with horribly tight muscles. *Anyone else in that same boat?* WHICH, is probably what led to this hip injury in the first place – and what could lead to several future injuries if I don’t change something. I am declaring the turning over of a new leaf….for now anyway. For the last week, I have stretched every.single.day. This is big for me. In addition to stretching, I need to work on strengthening the muscles that assist, or are connected to, the hip flexor. From calf stretches, to hamstring, to rolling out my IT band (it hasn’t gotten easier yet), I am hoping my muscles will start to respond and won’t be so compact all the time. Stretching or foam rolling can do wonderful things for every group of muscles in your body. I have written about the Basics of Foam Rolling and the importance of stretching before. I’ll be the first to admit, I am a big hypocrite.
And, it’s time to start practicing what I preach…..or write.
{SOUND OFF: Have you had any setbacks this summer? Do you have a stretching routine?}
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