Running with the reindeer...December runs!

[emily_in_nc]

Did my 4+ mile run this morning. Felt pretty good -- not great, but much better than Wednesday's run.

[Wahine]

I did a 3.5 mile trail run in the dark with a head lamp. It was fun. And frosty.

[Bike Chick]

Well I had my appointment with the PT yesterday. He thinks that it's bursitis or tendonitis of the hip, IT band syndrome or (worst case scenario) a tear or impingement of the labrum. I didn't take any of it very well, especially the worst case scenario part, but he tells me if it's not my labrum, he will get me through the Disney marathon in 3 weeks. If it is the labrum, I may never run a marathon---ever. Yesterday wasn't a good day.

Today was supposed to be my second 20 mile run but I've been told no running or riding. I never thought I would miss my long runs so much but I really look forward to them, even with the pain.

[yellow]

If it is the labrum, I may never run a marathon---ever.

FWIW, I have a torn labrum with pincer impingement and a retroverted hip. I'm still running pretty long distances. I might eventually have to give it up, but am managing. Once I got the initial inflammation mellowed out, it became more tolerable. It can really hurt sometimes, but now I know what to do to bring it back down to earth.

I was offered surgery but politely refused. I know a couple of other very talented runners who also have a torn labrum; there are a lot of people out there walking around with soft tissue damage to the labrum. So if that is the problem, know that it can be workable. If it were me and that was the diagnosis (torn labrum and FAI and no running long distances, possibly ever), I'd get another opinion.

All that said, hopefully it is something minor that you can tackle in the next few weeks before your marathon!

[Selkie]

Oh BikeChick...sorry to hear this. Take Yellow's advice to heart, you never know. Get another opinion.

Two weeks before I was set to do my 2nd Marine Corp Marathon, piriformis syndrome hit me hard. In addition to missing the marathon, I ended up giving up running for more than 10 years.

Sending you lots of good healing vibes/wishes.

[indysteel]

((((Bikechick)))). I really hope that it is not the worst case scenario and that if it is, you are able to keep running. Hang in there.

[OakLeaf]

Oh, man (((((BikeChick))))). Will you be having an MRI - or how will the PT narrow down the diagnosis? Hoping for the best.

I did a little 5K this morning that started five blocks from my front door. I couldn't even justify not running, being that close! It was fun, and I got to chat with a few people I hadn't seen yet since I've been back. It was a benefit for the high school arts program, and the awards were tiles hand-painted by the students. I won a cool one.

[emily_in_nc]

It was a benefit for the high school arts program, and the awards were tiles hand-painted by the students. I won a cool one.

What a neat prize! I'd love that!

[Bike Chick]

FWIW, I have a torn labrum with pincer impingement and a retroverted hip. I'm still running pretty long distances. I might eventually have to give it up, but am managing. Once I got the initial inflammation mellowed out, it became more tolerable. It can really hurt sometimes, but now I know what to do to bring it back down to earth.

I was offered surgery but politely refused. I know a couple of other very talented runners who also have a torn labrum; there are a lot of people out there walking around with soft tissue damage to the labrum. So if that is the problem, know that it can be workable. If it were me and that was the diagnosis (torn labrum and FAI and no running long distances, possibly ever), I'd get another opinion.

All that said, hopefully it is something minor that you can tackle in the next few weeks before your marathon!

Oh, Yellow, this is so promising. Thank you for your input. It means a lot to hear this. I'm staying positive and thinking that it's not worst case scenario and will see how Monday's session goes. I may just go to my doc on Monday and ask if I can have the MRI just to rule it out. Then if it's not, I'm running on it and doing the marathon regardless. When I met the PT yesterday for my initial consult his first statement to me was, "so you are trying to run a marathon in 3 weeks." My response was, "No, I AM running a marathon in 3 weeks and you are going to help me accomplish that." I didn't mean to be so stubborn but I wanted him to know how determined I was.

[7rider]

Oh, that's a bummer, BikeChick. I hope the PT gets you right. I was just reading about torn hip labrums (labri?) and hip arthroscopy. I was talking to a woman last night who was right hooked while on her bike and tore her hip labrum in the crash. She is only now starting to run again (something like 8 months I think?) but can't ride a bike. Every one is different, I guess. Good luck.

HillSlugger and I (and nearly 3,000 others) did the Celtic Solstice 5-mile run today in Baltimore, MD. I took 2 minutes off my chip time vs. last year's run, so I was pretty happy. 52:36 was my time, or 10:29 pace. That's pretty good for me. Next year, I hope to break 50 minutes.

Here we are at the start, wearing our ugly Christmas vests (and me with a jingle bell) for the occasion. (me on the left) I got a TON of comments on the vest!

[Selkie]

Seven---That's great!!! Brian and I might have to put that race on our calendar next year. We both love Baltimore.

Do you have any races on your schedule for early 2012? I am hoping to do a 10K in the first quarter.

[Bike Chick]

Do you have any races on your schedule for early 2012? I am hoping to do a 10K in the first quarter.

Disney Marathon, January 8; Fly with the Eagles Half Marathon, February 11; Memphis in May Olympic triathlon, May 20 and MAYBE the Cutting Edge Half Classic Half Ironman in June. Maybe. It's my goal and I'm starting the training for it next week if the PT lets me run.

[katluvr]

So I skipped my long run yesterday. Was tired and just wanted to have a morning that I did not have to jump start my day and get busy early. Plus my folks came for a visit for the weekend and I had to get my house in order (clean) before they arrived. But I felt like a slacker.
Did go out this AM for a slow and easy 4 miler. Bit "cool" for Florida this AM with a strong north wind. But felt good. Need to get back to speed work this week and long mid week before the holiday weekend.

K

[Wahine]

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.

[7rider]

Took part in a trail race from the other side today. I was a course marshal - one of those who stands at an intersection wearing a yellow vest and waving a flag telling folks to turn (or to be careful on the slippery bridge as I did). The running club I ran with last week had a 8k trail run this a.m. Since im in no shape to do back-to-back 5-mile rubs (although I did see one jersey from yesterday's run), I volunteered to just help with this one.

After sweating from running back and forth between my two locations, I cooled down and was downright chilled by the time my mountain biker sweep showed up, trailing the last runner (a 5-y.o., and her parents). I was happy to help, but more happy to see my duty done. Runners arrived, ran, ate, and left in the time I was out on course. My back was killing me from standing in the cold so long. So, yes, although I always did before, I am now much more likely to thank the volunteers at the events I do! They work hard so we can have our fun!