Depths of Despondency

[Shake-and-run]

I try not to go on about it but my running journey seems to have been rife with obstacles. first my calves, then my breathing and now my hip. It started as a niggle as I was slowly building up my distance to 10k. It was when I was doing the 9km run that I suffered with pain in my hip as I completed the last couple of kms. The next week it kicked in at 6kms. I went to see a sports physio, he says it is not uncommon and can be sorted with some exercise to strengthen the muscles. He said I could still run but to listen to my body. I did a 10k on Sunday last, I only ran the first 5km and then walked and ran the last circuit. It was uncomfortable from 4km onwards (but it was an event so I was not going to give up). I have since taken it easy and still continued with yoga and the exercises from the physio on alternate days. The exercises leave my hip feeling sore so I tend not to exercise after I have done them. Today was my first run in over a week. I set out with no target, just to run a very steady pace and see how it goes. Just after 2km and the hip was hurting, just after 2.5km I stopped running and walked home.

It is so difficult to find the balance of enough work to strengthen the weak hip and not too much to aggravate it.

Anyway I shall continue with the exercises and the cycling (can do that all day and not get any pain) and try for a short gentle run a bit later in the week. I just worry that as my runs are getting shorter, the way things are going I shall soon struggle to get to the end of the road!

[Speedy60 Graduate10]

Sorry to hear you're having trouble. I had hip problems when I started out. Yoga and hip exercises sorted me out, but it sounds like you're already doing all that. The only other thing I can suggest is to watch your posture. Your head should be up, shoulders down and your torso stacked over your hips, hips rolled forward.

I used to have a great runnersworld article on running form, but it's behind a paywall these days. This article might help:

podiumrunner.com/training/i...

There are some good YouTube videos too, which might give you a clearer idea.

Good luck.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Oh Shakes, I’m sorry to hear that your hip is giving you trouble. Oldgirlruns has been going through the same thing but time and the exercises are starting to pay off and she is increasing the running. Doing walk/runs may help but don’t stride out too far on the walks. . Fingers crossed for you, and don’t worry about losing fitness. It will be back. Enjoy your cycling for a while.

[CBDB Graduate10]

Oh no!!!! Sending you huge get well wishes and patience to waiting for your body to heal!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Oh dear, I’m so sorry to hear about that Shakes, especially as you’ve come so far! As Dexy says, I’ve had a grumbly hip since 4 January (when we did a birthday 5k to celebrate Coddfish’s birthday, so I remember it well!). Like you I’m doing the physio’s exercises and like you, I can’t do them on a day when I swim or run . And running is a very loose term to describe my current efforts at running then walking then running then giving up! So I can’t offer any advice but I’ll think of you next time I’m out and getting fed up with my hip; I don’t know what else to do except keep on with the exercises and keep the fingers crossed! I really hope yours starts to feel better soon, take care!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

That’s awful news Shakes. I’m so sorry. I have no helpful advice, except take it easy, do your exercises and be patient. Easier said than done, but you’ll be back stronger. 👊

[Katnap Graduate10]

That seems unfair when you are already doing the right things. It might be a few weeks before the strength exercises help. 🤞🤞

[Shake-and-run Graduate10]

Thank you all. Xxxxx