Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Un-running update

It was six months ago today that I started running. Unfortunately, I basically stopped running about a month ago due to recalcitrant hip pain. I did a few short easy runs after I got hurt but I ended up in a lot of pain. So I stopped running at the end of August. My pain improved about 50% but my improvement stalled after that. I can walk with little to no limp most of the time, but any jogging or anything that puts more force on my leg than normal standing and walking is totally out of the question -- the pain is immediate. So no half marathon for me.

After a couple of weeks of zero running with no improvement I went to see a chiropractor, a runner himself, with lots of knowledge about gait and sports injuries. He was mystified -- I have complete painless range of motion and good strength, but persistent weight-bearing pain, and it hasn't responded to the manipulations and exercises he's suggested.

So at his request I'm waiting to get a bone scan to rule out a femoral neck stress fracture. In the meantime I am needing a lot of help with day-to-day stuff like carrying bags of pears and groceries, moving the fruit press around, hauling bags of chicken feed, lifting the apple press, emptying out the cat litter, moving the dog food to the basement and such-like. It's really frustrating. I'm so accustomed to being able to lift and carry and haul and move stuff. I don't like asking for help. And to be honest my family isn't so great about actually helping even when asked. I need to keep working on them -- but it's hard when I don't like having to ask. I suppose I should welcome this challenge as an opportunity for personal growth.

8 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:39 pm

    What a pain (literally). You were doing so well with the running. We've been doing Couch to 5K for the last 4 weeks and I have been surprised how hard I find it. Now we're in week 5 and we had to do 8 mins jogging, 5 walking, 8 jogging today, and every time I think I'm not going to make it but I do! I hope you find out what's wrong and that it heals up soon.

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  2. I am really sorry to hear that you are in constant pain and that it has forced you to stop doing an activity which was bringing you such pleasure.
    I hope that the health problem is resolved for you soon.
    I also hear your discomfort both around needing help and having to ask for it.
    I guess that, as you have said, this will be a learning experience for both you and your family. I wish you all well with this also.

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  3. Yikes!!! How frustrating. I hope you get a speedy resolution of this. I've been participating in your runs vicariously while taking the doglet on progressively longer morning walks, still furious with myself for doing an unwise lift and twist last October (heavy cooler into the back of a pickup) that left me with transverse myelitis. Almost a year now of not being able to lift heavy stuff, of relearning to walk properly, of having limited sensation from the breastbone down.

    I continue to be amazed both by the fragility of the human body, and by its capacity for recovery.

    Deborah

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  4. So sorry. I had enjoyed reading your running updates Hope it works out and you are soon pain free.

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  5. Sorry all of this is happening, Miranda. Having just came through a year of health issues myself and needing my family to help more....I understand what you are saying and where you are coming from.

    Hoping they can find out what exactly is wrong and have you back running soon!

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  6. Miranda, I so feel for you. My first incapacitating running injury (years ago - stress fracture in my foot) was when I started to eye half-marathons and was doing long long weekend runs (a case of too much too soon for me).

    My running partner (in those days) was recovering from a stress fracture in her pelvis. We made a fine pair. :)

    I look forward to your complete recovery and your return to running. You've been a fabulous inspiration and I'm been so excited to read about your progress. I know that this is just a blip in the overall running picture for you.

    Sending you healing vibes... R

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  7. Why is it that opportunities for personal growth usually painful or somehow un-fun? I don't have an answer for that one. Here's hoping for less pain for you. :)

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  8. I'm so sorry. I hope you heal up soon.

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