I was training to run the Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon in San Antonio that was going to take place the same weekend as my 10 year college reunion. I have been running consistently since P was about 6 months old, so I was in good shape, and I decided to go ahead and gear up to train for my second half marathon. I followed Hal Higdon's Novice 2 schedule like a champ...heck, this time around I actually did cross-training (thanks to Zumba on Monday nights!). I was ready. On Friday, Oct. 26th, I went out for an 11 mile run...and when I came back in, I remember saying to J (while rubbing my lower back...where that red circle is, it turns out), "Is this my back? Or my butt? Either way...it kinda hurts." And just like that, things went downhill.
I was in some serious pain. After a week and a half of not running, I went to an orthopedist who specializes in sports medicine, and after taking x-rays (I have very nice bones, btw, no arthritis or stress fractures to be seen) and being poked at, I was told I had an SI joint issue and that I needed to go to physical therapy 2 times a week for 6-8 weeks.
So I show up at physical therapy 3 days before I'm supposed to run my half marathon...the night before I had run 3 miles (the first running I had done in 2 weeks) to see what it felt like...it felt bad. It felt really bad. So I went to physical therapy in a lot of pain and really discouraged...like REALLY discouraged (I was definitely on my way into a deep, dark hole...without my running shoes). My PT told me I could run three miles with my mom that Sunday, but that I shouldn't run the race if I was in that much pain.
So that's what I did (pictures to come).
The good news is after taking a good month off from running (which was PAINFUL!!! to do...) and after going to PT 2 times a week and being a diligent little exerciser (I have quite the list of things to do at home each night), I'm feeling SO much better. SO much better, in fact, that I'm actually getting back into running! :) This is great news. It is also, however, comical, considering that I hurt myself running 11 miles (which took me about 2 hours to complete), and yesterday I "got" to walk 1/8 of a mile, run 1/4 mile, and then walk 1/8 of a mile...round trip of .5 miles took me less than 6 minutes. :) BUT I'm not complaining, because I had running shoes on my feet and a spring in my step and NO PAIN in my SI joint. :)
The hope is that I'll be able to get back into running without an issue, but only time will tell. Turns out my left leg is about 2 cm longer than my right leg (who knew!?), and the repeated stress of running is what is causing the inflammation in my SI joint. Hopefully, if I continue doing my exercises (to strengthen my hip muscles and core), I'll be able to take some of that stress off of my SI joint and can be a happy little runner.
Things I learned from this experience:
1) Do not take for granted a body that is physically-able. It is a blessing and a gift. Thank God for it every day.
2) I really like running, and I miss it when I don't get to do it.
3) My life, however, does not depend upon running. There are, it turns out, other things to do in the morning...
4) Physical therapists are really smart people with a lot of knowledge about how the human body works.
5) You can do simple things that will make a big difference.
6) I am much more willing to do core workouts when they are "assigned" to me.
7) Lunges are just as hard now as they were in junior high off-season.
8) Hang in there...even if you're in a dark, deep hole, things do get better.
9) It's a blessing to be surrounded by encouraging people who will pray for you.
10) Figure out what's really important to you in life...perspective is a powerful thing.
Hopefully, I'll be able to post pictures sometime soon of me completing a run that takes longer than 6 minutes (and might even include a fun t-shirt), but if I don't...it'll be okay. See? I've been working on my perspective. ;)
