All runners have done this.  As you are running you notice a twinge.  Is that some tightness?  Did I stretch enough beforehand?  Is this an actual injury?  Is this going to ruin my training schedule?  Is the race over for me? Last month I had this conversation in my head while doing a Road Warrior workout at the YMCA.  I felt a pain in my hip that just wasn't going away.  I spent several laps trying to decide if I should mention the pain to my coaches. Ultimately, I told one of my coaches about the pain...and then I heard it.  The two words every runner fears...

DON'T RUN

Really?  Don't run?  I immediately thought my training was over and I would never run the 25K.  (Yes, I can be a little dramatic)  But, all was not lost.  We came up with a strategy to get me back on track. I would go to hot yoga and add deep stretching on regular intervals throughout the day.  During one of the community runs, Dr. K recommended that I contact a physical therapist if I had any pain that lasted longer than a week.  Luckily the pain subsided and I was able to start running again in a few days.  Problem solved...or so I thought...

Thursday night's Road Warrior workout was with RunGR.  The plan was to to run 4 miles around Reed's Lake.  The run started out great.  I was feeling really good and had a lot of energy.  At mile 2 the twinge in my hip returned.  I decided to push through the pain as it wasn't that bad.  Unfortunately by mile 3, I was in a lot of pain. And, the pain didn't go away at mile 4 when I started walking.  That was when I knew I had a real problem and it was time to contact a physical therapist.

I met with my physical therapist today.  Unfortunately, the appointment was not as positive as I hoped it would be.  She said that my hip flexor is mangled.  Mangled?  And, it's possible that I have a joint issue underneath the hip flexor issue.  Great, not only do I have a nasty hip flexor but now I have a joint issue.  All was not lost again, because she said the goal is to repair my hip flexor and then fix the joint issue so I can complete the 25k without hip pain.  Did you see that?  She said I could still complete the 25k.  My spirit was renewed!  Even with my issues she still thought I could finish the race.  And then, I heard it again...

DON'T RUN

At least this time I was prepared for it. I was still happy knowing that I could finish the 25k, even if I was out of commission for a little while.  Instead of running, she allowed me to cross-train.  So, tomorrow morning, I will join my fellow Road Warriors at the morning run.  When they go outside for the run, I will head upstairs to ride the bike.  My next appointment with the physical therapist is on Monday....so stay tuned.....