Sock tans

Hip began hurting last week but I shrugged it off, maybe I need to be smarter with aches and pains. This weekend it progressively got worse. Movement is when it really hurts, sometimes it locks up for a few seconds. Feel clicking and if I flex it, it'll pop or click and momentarily feel better but then pain comes back.

Non traveling team's practice was on our own today, I took the time to do homework that turns out isn't due until Wednesday. Stayed up late last night working on it too... it's fine. Went to weights like normal but after 4 body weight squats my hip wasn't having it, hurt on the RDLs too so I did single leg for both after that. Then went into training room, Nate wasn't sure what was up but thought it might be tight muscles. Later my hip pain intensified and would lock up while walking so I went in again and Patrick looked at it, wasn't sure either but was leaning towards deep muscle spasms. Had me heat + STEM, then afterward asked me to walk around and see if it helped, it didn't. By his reaction (nice little word) I gather it's not that. Basically told me to take Ibuprofen and roll out, then come in again tomorrow. Told me not to run and do 3 tomorrow and see how it feels. 

My hip was feeling better today, so ibuprofen and/or rolling out helped. Patrick checked a few things he forgot to yesterday and he's pretty confident I strained my gluteus medius muscle. Since it's feeling better than it was yesterday he let me run 3 miles but said not to push it if the pain increases. Luckily Angie, Julieta, Sharlie and Emma were just starting at the same time I got out of the training room so I ran with them for 1.5 then turned at Canyon Park and came back along University Blvd. At 1.8 it started to lock up again and the pain increased but I just tried to keep my stride even and smooth. Eventually the pain eased and I was able to finish. Iced afterwards, Patrick reevaluated and said that I could run again tomorrow if it continues to feel better and possibly start some strengthening exercises. Also iced. 

7:11 average.

Hip was feeling about the same as yesterday, Patrick wanted me to take today off but I really wanted to run so he said I could do 2 miles. 7:06 average. Strengthening exercises afterwards and ice. 

Hip was feeling better than yesterday so Patrick let me do 4 miles, but because it hurts on the uphills he wanted me to stay as flat as possible. So, to Canyon Park and back (seeing as that's the only flat run in Cedar) and a mile on the track. Guess I was a bit eager to get running again because I pushed the pace a bit towards the end, whoops. Exactly what Patrick said not to do, but hip still feels okay. Maybe shouldn't do that again though. 6:56 average (7:24, 7:08,  6:27, 6:35). 

Hip pain increased today, probably because I pushed yesterday's run. Again, hills cause it more pain, so once more did the same loop taking care to slow down the pace. It's just so easy to push it when you're doing so few miles. Cut down Main Street to get 2 miles (was happy Patrick at least let me run). 7:31 average. Then strengthening exercises, stretching and ice. 

4 miles, pretty windy. 7:24 average. Hip was okay, still felt some pain and still have to be careful about it, but I went up along 300 W and Main Street and it felt okay after a half mile or so, so maybe if I take it easier on hills I can do some runs next week other than Campus loop or the extension to Canyon Park.