We came home from our vacation a day early. We had a few reasons for this. 1. We wanted the extra day of rest (which ended up NOT being rest). 2. Friends were having a party and we planned to attend (so much fun). and 3. LONG run Saturday!!! I was excited to be headed home. What's not to be excited about an extra day to rest before heading back to work, hanging out with friends and a good long run??
We got in late Friday night and were finally in bed around midnight. The alarm was set for a 6:15a.m. wake up since we were meeting Terri at my gym for a 7:15a.m. run. My goal for Saturday's long run was either double digits or a 2 hour run. I wanted to be ready to run my upcoming half marathon. It was a lofty goal since my last long run was only a 7 miler almost 3 weeks ago but I felt confident. I needed to feel confident going into this week. I knew if I could run for 2 hours my half marathon this weekend would be within reach.
With my injury distance has been something I have really had to work hard to get back to. My last long run (the 7 miler) was tough and left me feeling rough for a couple of days. The long run this past Saturday was great. We settled into a decent pace, took walk breaks when we needed, hydrated and fueled up as needed and were out early enough we avoided too much heat. It was hot and my clothes were dripping by the end of the run. In fact, I'd never seen my running skirt actually drip on the trail and was pretty excited. I love a good sweat.
Anyway, Terri and I managed to pull off 11 miles in 1:53. I felt great. I only had a little tightness in my piriformis and my hip flexor which is normal now for me with the injury. Those parts are just having to overcompensate for the tears in my labrum. I stretch when I need during exercise and foam roll afterwards. If you've never taken a foam roller to your piriformis, do it.. just for fun. lol Back to the run... I was happy happy happy to not only have logged double digits again but mostly pain free and under 2 hours! Total success after the last 6 weeks or so for me.
Speaking of the injury and the last 6 weeks...
I had another doctor's appointment today. This time with a different doctor, one that specializes in my type of injury and has done the surgery before. I was referred to him by the first doctor who was not a hip specialist. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect going in today but I knew 2 things. 1. surgery was not an option that I wanted to discuss right now and 2. I didn't want another needle in my hip! The doctor was great and informative.
Here's what I have going on (in case you haven't already read).
I have a cyst on my femur. I also have some labral tears.
The cyst is basically the result of bone to bone action in my hip joint. It's causing impingement which has also caused the lovely tears. Sounds fun I know!
The doctor wanted to know what exactly I had done. I discussed the following with him.
~I had a fall in May 2011 on my left hip when I tried to end a run early by biting the pavement in the middle of a busy intersection.
~At the end of my October 2011 half marathon (the first one that month) I had a ton of left hip pain and needed the aide tent right away.
~ April 1st I ran a marathon and well it hurt.. a lot and has ever since.
The doctor said to me, "So basically you're in here to discuss surgery with me."
No, sir, I most certainly am not. I want to heal. I want to run. I don't want surgery NOW.
Thankfully his next words were ones I wanted to hear. "Why don't we do more rehab since you responded to that before the arthrogram and were progressing? 3-4 weeks and I will see you back here for another evaluation in 4 weeks."
Perfect! I can definitely handle that.
I have my first appointment with the PT this round on Thursday and I can't wait. It is perfect timing before my half marathon on Saturday. YES, I am running it because the doctor didn't say no AND he said, "Just keep rehabbing and doing what you can and hopefully we will get you back to where you were soon!" Nope, I didn't hear him say NO running!!!
So, if all goes well I will be finishing half marathon #5 this weekend and I couldn't be more excited!
3 comments: