Runnin' in Mud...

I know this is my first entry in quite some time.  A great deal has happened since then.  In early August, I experienced a bit of left hip tightness, but had no trouble finishing a subsequent run and dismissed as needing more stretching of that area.  I took a day off and completed another short run, with, again, the same amount of "tightness" in the piriformis area.  The following day (August 8th), I went out for a routine 5 mile run (out and back course) and at 2.5 miles, I was stranded.  The left hip had completely locked up and jogging/running hurt.  Needless to say, I hobbled home and laid down.  My wife, who was about to give birth the next day, returned home from picking up her parents, only to find me laying on the ground and unable to walk.  The following day, our first baby boy (Ethan) was born.  It was a happy day, but I still hobbled around.  Once we returned from the hospital, various doctors all said Piriformis Syndrome and prescribed steroids, etc.  I even starting getting ART from a Chiropractor.  Nothing seemed to help and a few test runs didn't go so well.  I took a full 30 days off of work and had big plans to run lots of mileage in prep for my December marathon.  We shall see...   

Okay, another easy run, but a bit more distance.  I chose a local park to run around a lake.  I am able to run on flat surfaces that are soft and forgiving.  The discomfort is deep in my left buttock area and does not seem to get worse with running.  I am actually amazed that after ~5 weeks of no running, I still feel fit.  MRI on Wed. and then Ortho. on Thu. 

I had an MRI of my pelvis and low back yesterday and the Ortho. doc saw them today.  NOT GOOD!  I have a sacral stress fracture and will need 2-3 additional weeks of healing time.  I am, actually, somewhat relieved as I now know what is going on and how to correct it.  The marathon is out, but perhaps that half-marathon is still possible.  The bigger goal is Boston in April.

I have to admit that the last 30 days has been difficult for me.  On one hand, I have been able to spend alot of time with my new son, daughter, and helping the wife, but I have not been able to run.  My plan was to run lots, but it's not all about my plan.  Perhaps, this injury and time off, was God's plan for me.  I've had time to think alot about that and it is very ironic that the day before I am to take 30 days off of work, I get injured.  The following day, our son is born.  Hmmm...  Perhaps, I took the ability to run for granted?  Perhaps, running was taking too much time away from the family and what is truly important?  At any rate, I have a new passion for running and cannot wait.  I will take it slow and appreciate each step I take, as the last 6 weeks have been killing me.  My wife started back running yesterday and I gotta say, I was jealous!  To hear her complain about being sore, etc.  I long for those feelings after a long run or a hard track workout.