Bret

PM - 13 miles on the treadmill indoors on a hot day outside.  Took it very slowly for the first mile to get the muscles warm - then worked into a decent pace for the time that I had to get in. Seems like every strengthening exercise or massage release fails to fix anything with this groin issue.  Just don't know if I am making things worse by running on it.  Once I get warm it is generally ok - just slightly tight or slight pain here and there - but I can get my runs in.  Doesn't seem to be improving though.  

No running this morning.  Really painful night sleeping.  Think it is time for a break with the groin issues not improving and at times getting worse.  I may take a few days or more.  Have an appointment this afternoon to use an Alter-G treadmill - which may be an option going forward to maintain some fitness while I try to heal - assuming it doesn't cause any exacerbation of the groin issues.

 PM -  6 miles on the Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill.  First time I have used one.  A bit awkward initially getting adjusted to the contraption around your waist and upper legs.  Ran generally at 80% of my body weight.  No pain to speak of with my groin - though it was tight at the start in particular. Couldn't tell if that was the contraption or if it was tight muscles.

 Anyway - we'll see if there is any discomfort or stiffness following the run later this evening.  I really liked how I felt afterwards - which was almost as if I had not really run.  No heaviness or fatigue in the legs or groin area.  Wish I had one of these to use at home.  The deal for using it at the facility isn't bad.  $100 for 12 uses at 45 mins each.  Problem is the facility has limited hours of operation. They really need to put a bunch of these out on the gym floor and schedule use according to normal gym hours.  

No running planned for today.  Good news however.  Significant improvement in how things have been feeling (e.g. marked decrease pain with squeeze test, better night's sleep etc) following the Anti-G treadmill run yesterday.  My wife asked how running on the Anti-G treadmill could have improved how my injury feels - since I was actually running (which previously seemed to be exacerbating my condition).  Answer as best I can figure - It was as though I was running without impact or at least without normal impact - and so I would say, it is almost like I had the day off - except I got blood flow to the muscles and good cardio as well with a run-specific cross training exercise.  Really can't beat that.

Am scheduled for a session tomorrow and Friday at a different facility in the same network and will plan to schedule some sessions next week in Atlanta while there for business.   Hoping to see continued improvement whilst maintaining my fitness (or at least not losing too much of it).  

AM - got in about 6.5 miles on the Alter-G treadmill.  I was on the stationary bike for about 2 miles prior to my turn on the Alter-G - so I will count this as 7 miles total.  The tech assisting me on this machine which is at a different location/facility, insisted that I should not exceed 65% of my body weight given the description of the injury - So I was zipping/floating along at 6:30 pace. A little tight but no discomfort or pain when I started - but again the shorts and the machine harness thing is a bit constricting.  Very pleased that I can do this type of cross training.  

AM - 7 miles - same as yesterday on the Alter-G treadmill.  This morning a physical therapist in the facility was asked by the tech from yesterday to evaluate me.  He came over while I was on the machine and got a brief history and then after run he took me through a number of tests on physical examination.  He and his facility treat a number of local runners and the local professional soccer team players (the Rowdies) - so he is familiar with these types of injuries and complaints.  This was all spontaneously done...I did not make an appointment with them or request advice or anything.  Very cool.

Anyway - he concluded with a differential diagnosis of either an e-centric transverse lower abdominal strain (not sure if I got that right - as it was from memory); or a left-sided sports hernia.  He wanted to refer me to a local expert physician in St. Pete for an MRI and further evaluation to nail down the diagnosis.

He said that if it is the sports hernia - he would recommend a doctor up in Philly.  That's when I told him I had an appointment with Dr. Meyers in Philly in two weeks.  He was impressed and said Meyers was the guy he was talking about.  Good to hear confirmation in the medical community unprompted.   

So, anyway, he will refer me to a St. Pete doc who may confirm and suggest that it makes sense for me to see Meyers or direct me otherwise.

No running today.  Very tight hammies and a conflict with the scheduled Alter G appointment this morning.  

AM - no options for Alter-G running today as all of the local facilities that have the machine are closed on the weekends.  So I made an attempt to see if cycling was a option that would not exacerbate the injury - Did 36 miles and maintained a HR of right around 140 for most of the ride - very warm day (Garmin on my bike said 97) -  That took me around 2:15 mins - including stopping times. Rode down the Pinellas Trail to the beaches and over the three bridges and back up the trail until I hit Drew Street - at which point I turned and rode through my old neighborhood where I grew up.  (Not holding up so well...).  

Anyway - cycling equivalency to a run of that duration of time and at the avg HR would equate for me to be around 16 or 17 miles more or less.  Seems to have not resulted in any discomfort, though I was careful not to really push it either.  

Going to try some swimming too, next.