Pumpkins in the Park 5K

Kevin suggested I should run this race as his boss and co-worker were going to be there. So I talked Sueann into it, not that it was a hard thing to do :) We got to the race site, then Sueann called, we are almost 50 miles off and with an hour to go her husband hadn't gotten home yet. I was freaked she wouldn't make it. I didn't get in a much needed warm up to get my hip loose before the race as Kevin felt I needed to watch the kids, they wanted to play and he didn't want to keep an eye on them.
Sueann gets there within 2 minutes of the gun going off. We head out, I'm running strong, I feel good, I was shocked at the pace my Garmin was showing, I'm varying between 8:30 - 9:40 on my pace for the first mile. My hip popped, fear hit me and I stopped and walked. The hip loosened up, I ran, then walked, then ran, then walked, the walks getting longer as starting back up caused more pain than when I was walking or running, both were bothering me, the hip was tight. I don't know how I stayed ahead of her, except for the fact my running pace was so good, the walking pace varied between 14-16. It was hot too. The last mile or so was along the intercoastal and was nice to look at. I managed to run the end but not a sprint. I got lost in the crowd for awhile limping around, let my hip cool off, found everyone and then took the boys over for the kids run. After the kids run I stretched only my hip, man it felt good to do. The drive home was quiet. We stopped at a drive in and got sandwiches and then headed home were I iced my hip.

As for my injury, I talked to the doc, the pain has spread to my gluteus medius, I'm on treatment and massages to bring the extreme tightness down to a normal level in my left hip, it's moving into my lower back. Docs orders are no running, although he OKd me for the race Sunday, then 2 weeks of nothing, no stairs that can be avoided, no strength training, no running, take it real easy. I will more than likely walk my first half marathon, better to walk than try to run with NO training and injure myself worse or again. If I'm cleared to run for the 1/2, it will be all intervals, 2-3 run 1 walk.

Ugh!

Today, I hurt. I can barely walk up the stairs from a horrible pain in my left hip. I am angry and frustrated as this is 12 hours post run. My first real run back. I felt the tightness in my run, but it was bearable, more an annoyance than pain. All the other little aches and pains disappeared going into the 2nd mile. My hip stayed with me the full 4.25 miles (had I remembered a gel, it would have been longer so that will tell you it wasn't bad at all.)

Today, I attempted self-diagnosis. The pain I have is on the outside of my hip around the top outside area of the pelvic bone, the iliac crest. It is localized to that area, no radiating pain, an area about the size of my hand. The only thing in that area that makes sense is the IT band, more specifically the Tensor fasciæ latæ. My only course of action for correcting, core and hip strength training. Not too shabby for treatment but do I have time to get it back up to par in time? I also realize I've had this pain before, about 3-4 weeks after I gave up the gym. So, back to the gym I go as I am walking like a crippled old person. I have sympathy for them, this is painful! You don't realize how much is connected until you start running. Coach Nancy always tells us about the kinetic chain, well, my kinetic chain is telling me I need a stronger core and hips to help this one little area!

I have 6 1/2 weeks until my first half and I seem to be hitting every issue known to man! Pulled Piriformis, severe upper respiratory infection, agitated hip. Tonight, I will do some home exercises plus pilates to help with the core, stretch and ice. Tomorrow, depending on how it feels I will do a 3 mile easy run, followed by stretching and icing.

I did try the Galloway method and I like it. I will be using it for this half and will work on fully building up for Disney after Space Coast. I am running Pumpkins in the Park on Oct. 30 with a bunch of my husband's co-workers, so I'm hoping my little issue doesn't present itself for that!

Well, it's a typical busy Monday and this little blog has taken 2 hours!