A Little Setback

In a recent post I started my last statement with “If my hip holds out …”.  Well, I spoke too soon. In the last week of April, I covered 21 miles including a 5K test run.  I was able to complete 5K averaging just under 9:00 miles.  Things were looking up for the Bolder Boulder.  I just need a little more work at a faster pace.

Later that week my hip started getting achy.  My last run that week was a 5 miler on a beautiful spring morning.  By the afternoon, I could barely walk and was in a lot of pain on my right side.  After 3 rest days, the discomfort was manageable, but I clearly could not run.  Walking any sizeable distance was uncomfortable.  The next 3 days were Strength Training, Indoor Cycling, and Strength Training.  I was fine on the bike.  I rode a 25-mile virtual route with very little discomfort in my hip.  I felt okay in the afternoon.

 

So yesterday was one week from my last run.  It was the first warm spring day since my last run, so I thought I’d give it a go and set out for 3-5 miles, depending on how my right hip felt.  As is typical, discomfort while running was very manageable, a lot of times I had no discomfort at all.  I struggled with my pace and heart rate more.  It seems at I my age I lose fitness quickly if I don’t run at least every other day.  I had to take several walking breaks but completed 5 miles.  Shortly after I stopped, it was a repeat of one week ago.  I had trouble just walking.  

 

I did a lot a stretching and some trigger point massage, followed by a short rest on the couch.  I had some obligations in the afternoon, so I had to be mobile, regardless of discomfort.  I made it to the end of the day feeling okay, not great, but not terrible.

 

Today I woke up optimistic.  I had some morning errands to run, so I had to get up and get going.  On my way home, the sunshine and warm temperatures were calling me.  I put hip discomfort aside, went through my warmup and stretching routine and headed out for a run.  The warm temps forced me to take more walking breaks.  But I did another five miles.  I think I was trying to prove to myself that I could go out and run even if my brain was interpreting pain.   I was glad that I did it.  It was a mental hurdle I needed to conquer.  Of course, I was in a lot of discomfort the rest of the day.  Let’s see what tomorrow and the next day bring.

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