Going Long (again) in 2024

60 minutes spin bike to replace my 6 mile run.

After 3 days of no running (spin bike instead) I decided to test things out at the track.  I figured that would be best, since I wouldn't have far to walk if I had to stop running, gave me a softer surface to run on, and gave me the option of a little speed work if I was up to it.

Well, that left hip was painful from the get go.  I toughed it out for 3 miles, but it was not getting any better, my running form was being thrown off, and I was limping when I stopped.  I'm not a happy runner, after three days off and lots of ibuprofin, rest and stretching.

I'm calling my doctor as soon as the office opens this morning.  I'm fairly certain (hopeful) this is Trochanteric Bursitis, and that a cortisone shot will clear things up.  We'll see.

Well, I went for my massage therapy yesterday.  She confirmed the inflammed bursa, saying I had noticeable swelling on my left hip, and that it was warm.  Even though she was careful to avoid pressing on the area - she worked the area around it - I left there in a lot of pain.

So, I've taken to icing the area as often as I can.  This morning I decided to try running on my treadmill after icing it.  Could only go the 2 miles before the pain made me stop.  This is really frustrating, as it really does not feel bad when I'm walking or climbing stairs.  Just running.

Anyway, I called my doctor yesterday to make an appointment.  Unfortunately, I can't get in until August 28th.  That will be exactly 2 weeks since I've been able to run normally, which sucks.  I'm hopeful I can get the cortisone shot then and there, although I suspect she'll want to rule out other things with imaging tests beforehand.  More delay.

All that being said, I've not given up on the Hamilton Marathon.  For sure I can't train the way I would like for now, but if I can get back to it after a cortisone shot, then I will.  In the meantime, it will be back to the spin bike and I'll throw in shorter runs as I'm able to bear it.

If the shot does not work, or if there is something else going on, then there is no way I can run a marathon this Fall.  I'm hopeful, however, that this is not the case.

After a 70 minute spin on my bike Wednesday, and a 60 minute spin yesterday, I had enough of that.  Decided to see how the hip was feeling and go for an easy run.

Used a 6 mile route that gave me an out at 4 miles and 5 miles if necessary.  I'm glad I was able to do the entire 6.

The 1st mile was okay.  Not 100%, but not bad.  After that, I would describe it as a pressure more than pain.  In fact, my iliopsoas was the worst of it, and I've been running with that for a long time.  I figured it would get worse as I went, and it didn't.  So, I'm cautiously optimistic.

Still icing and stretching it big time every day.  I think tomorrow I might try another run and see what happens.

Well, I'm much more optimistic after this run.  I really didn't know how it would turn out today, so I decided to go slow and see how far I was able to run.  I was scheduled for a 10 mile easy run, and that is the distance I ended up going.  All good.

I ran the first 5 miles all in the fast to mid range of my easy pace.  Then I picked it up for the final 5 miles and ran progressively faster, with mile 8 at race pace.

The pressure in my hip was there pretty much throughout, but it never turned to pain.  I think it actually faded a bit when I ran faster, but that might have just been the endorphins from running.

In either case, I'll wait and see how I feel in the morning.  I'm scheduled for an 8 mile easy run.  If that goes well, I might even take on my speedwork at the track on Monday and get my training back where it should be.

I had not run for 7 straight days, but I have biked every day, so my cardio should be okay.