relentless forward progress

What muscle are you referring to when you talk about your hip flexor? Iliopsoas? Rectus femoris?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_flexors

I think it's the psoas Andrea. I am going to try some stuff today a dancer taught me to release it. It worked this summer when I had a tight psoas on the other side. This isn't just tight though, feels inflamed as well. It's weird because yesterday and the day before it hurt when I walked but I was able to run on Wednesday. I didn't yesterday as a precaution. Today it feels fine when I walk but there is a distinct "no" when I land and begin to push off.

Okay here are my thoughts for why it might be very sore and inflamed -

The higher you lift your legs, the more emphasis you are putting on the psoas muscle. Doing the stairmaster with an already sore psoas probably irritated it and overworked it a bit. In terms of cross training with this issue, I would recommend activities that require less hip flexion. However, I would not recommend resting completely - it tightens the muscle up more and causes more problems (in my experience). I do want to caution you about not overstretching or overmassaging it b/c it will go in protective mode and just make it worse (it doesn't have to hurt to be working). Heat before and ice after can help a lot.

Obviously this is just my experience but some things to think about and watch out for :) It sounds like you've been able to prevent injury with this muscle before so that's a good sign!

Thank you so much for your input Andrea, it's much appreciated. I will do what I can and try to channel some Fritz when I xtrain and be mindful of the stretching. Thanks again!

Brandon I am so incredibly sorry to hear this. It looks like you have a good attitude about it and Andrea has given you some great tips. All I will add is like Andrea cautioned be careful with the cross-training. When I injured my IT over the fall I took it all out on the elliptical and was over doing and possibly making the injury worse.

Keep your head up and you will be back in no time.

I spoke to my PT about you today and he suggested using the bike (with foot straps) as cross training for a sore psoas muscle. It's a lot easier to control how much stress you are putting on the muscle and easy to adjust accordingly. Just thought I would pass that along. I found rollerblading the best solution for me, but that doesn't sound very pleasant in this type of weather :) The most important thing is not sacrificing your health for Boston. So, as with any lingering ache, being cautious for a couple weeks now can get you feeling 100% and as if this was no big deal but pushing on can put you struggling for months. This is not one muscle to mess with because it is soo important for stability (just see mine, Superfly, and Monaflash's blogs).

Thanks again for the info and for speaking to your pt about me. I am not ready to hang the injured tag on myself just yet. I may be just fine in a day or two. If i end up that way i dealt with a pubic symphis injury last year and the bike and elliptical were my friends then :).

Great attitude Brandon. Don't freak out. You will be just fine and most likely this won't phase you a bit (fitness wise). Great advice from the others. I feel that any type of cross training is fine as long as it is not hurting your hip flexor while you are doing it. And I would definitely stretch, strengthen, and massage. I would also temporarily take Naproxen. Ice and heat also. You are right -- this may resolve in a couple days. You will be back!

One thought. Perhaps the cause is that you did two 20+ mile runs in a matter of 4 days. Probably not the best idea if you are not used to doing so. It's Ok -- just live and learn and adjust next time. Not being critical -- just an observation.

I thought that same thing Matt :), but i couldn't say no on the new years day run. Thanks for your input as well. I'm out tomorrow, but I'll see you guys next week!

Yes, great attitude Brandon. Keep it all in perspective. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of life in distance running. Be cautious and take it easy so you can get back to 100% ASAP. If you're interested, the massage therapist I use does a good job treating the psoas.