Running with the reindeer...December runs!

[Bike Chick]

Bike Chick,

At your next PT appointment, ask your PT specifically what tests he or she can do to get a clearer picture of what the diagnosis is. It is quite possible to get a reasonably good impression of a IT Band syndrome (bursitis is usually secondary to this) vs a labral tear. If he/she can't give you an answer, or gives you some sort of vague answer that isn't really an answer at all... you may want another opinion.

Go get a really good deep tissue massage and have the massage therapist work a lot on your Glute max, glute medius, glute minimus and TFL. You may also be tight through your low back area (most likely L4-5) and some work there will also help.

Get on a foam roller and work your hips out as much as you can.
Foam roller techniques for the hip.
The thigh.

And stretching is key. This is a reasonable routine for stretching the hip/IT band complex.

If you get on these things now and you respond well, you can be ready to run your marathon in January.

It would also be very helpful to do a running form analysis with a qualified PT. That should be done after your marathon and recovery period. You shouldn't try to change your running form drastically right now.

Finally, even if you do have a labral tear, it is quite possible to continue running. I have a labral tear too and like Yellow, I still run distance. I also work with people following arthroscopic repairs to the hip and I have seen many do very well and go back to running.

Thanks so much, Wahine. I pinned him down more on the diagnosis at my appointment yesterday. He says I have an ITB issue that he's working on but the hip problem is a "cam or pinscher impingement." He made that determination based on my symptoms and range of motion and made no mention of the labrum like he had last Friday. He also said that the only way to know this for sure is with an MRI and that he sent a letter to my doctor with this information. In the time being, I can get on the eliptical and start walking. Yeah! Maybe I will be running again by Thursday.

[indysteel]

Just saw my PT for my hamstring issue. He, like the doc, thinks I have some insertional tendonitis where the hamstring meets the glute. He used the ultrasound, some light massage and some heat on me (all of which was moderately embarrassing, given that the injury is basically in the inner part of my glute. He'll be sending me some exercises to do at home. My next appointment is Thursday. He'd rather I didn't run, which frankly is okay. I tried to run last night and just gave up when the pain went from dull to sharp. Oh well, such is life....

[Bike Chick]

I'm glad you got in to see the PT today, Indy, and I hope you get some relief. That's just miserable. We are a pair, aren't we?

[indysteel]

I'm glad you got in to see the PT today, Indy, and I hope you get some relief. That's just miserable. We are a pair, aren't we?

At least you got injured training for a significant goal! My stupid injury happened while I was running all of 4-5 miles at a time. I'm pathetic.

[Blueberry]

At least you got injured training for a significant goal! My stupid injury happened while I was running all of 4-5 miles at a time. I'm pathetic.

Then I'm really pathetic

My ankle injury (which I'm still going to PT for and still banned from running) happened when I was up to 7 minutes of running in 30 minutes of workout. Bleh.

[indysteel]

Then I'm really pathetic

My ankle injury (which I'm still going to PT for and still banned from running) happened when I was up to 7 minutes of running in 30 minutes of workout. Bleh.

We need a convalescent home for wayward TE runners I think.

[emily_in_nc]

At least you got injured training for a significant goal! My stupid injury happened while I was running all of 4-5 miles at a time. I'm pathetic.

Not pathetic at all, to me. I just ran 4.6 miles on Monday, which was my longest run in two years. I was thrilled!

All a matter of perspective...

[Bike Chick]

All a matter of perspective...

Very true! I went to my chiro last night and "ran" all this past him. He's completed the Disney marathon and it certainly makes a difference talking to someone who is a runner and is active. He told me that if I already had my 20 mile run in, my fitness was there and I could do this race--I just may have to walk a lot. It is more important right now to heal my hip and go into the race pain free than to keep running the next 2 weeks to get the miles in. He said a painful hip would take me out of the race faster than being tired. He also told me running a marathon is 90% mental and if I am rested, that makes all the difference in the world. It helped to hear that.

I also tried the eliptical and the hip started burning after 15 minutes so I moved to the dreadmill and got a brisk walk in for 30 minutes. It felt good to be moving and sweating.

[Crankin]

No, Indy, I am pathetic. I hurt my foot running 2-3.5 miles at a time.
I am going to have to bite the bullet and go the podiatrist. It's affecting my cycling and that is not acceptable!

[indysteel]

Not pathetic at all, to me. I just ran 4.6 miles on Monday, which was my longest run in two years. I was thrilled!

All a matter of perspective...

Oh, I totally agree. I was being just being cheeky in calling myself pathetic. I think all of our accomplishments are significant, especially when you consider the state of the general population.