So, my hip flexor issue has been resolved or solved, or whatever. As some of you know my plan in October was to try to run every day that month, but after a couple of weeks, a nagging pain in my right hip flexor got worse. So I took a week off and did some light stretches, rested, iced and put a little heat on it.
Then I did something else about it. One of the issues that has affected me is that I live in quite a hilly neighborhood. It’s the kind of neighborhood that grandpas used to live in back in the day when they went to school and had to walk uphill both ways. Well, it’s kinda true where I live. No matter where you run you will always run up a hill. Oh and it’s all roads.
So I figure that was part of my nagging injury and what I’ve done is find a relatively flatter course to run at least twice a week and I bought new shoes!
I got some really, really cushioned Saucony Triumphs and they’re fantastic. I switch them out for some Kinvaras about every other run and so far, my hip is feeling great. I do intend to follow the advice of the Eclipse Running sales associate and hit some dirt roads as well to hopefully help my aging joints.
So there’s my solution. It did suck, not being able to run, but I made it through without any real damage to my weight. Despite my goal of dropping 20 being set back a bit, I’m still on track. (Get it!)
Anyway, I got the hip back to working condition just in time to see the warm weather vanish and winter come roaring in as it does here. We had overnights of 30 degrees and days of 70 degrees for my first full week back running, but now we’re expected to see highs in the mid 40s and even some snow Sunday. I do love winter running. I find it invigorating, but more on that another day.
I’m glad I prepared this year and got some long sleeves, insulated sweats and a few options for jackets and layers.
My final lesson in all of this is patience and take it slow. A slow, painless run beats a fast one that ends with pain any day of the week.