Feeling deflated

[slothycoffee]

I am feeling a bit deflated... every time I try to get back into running, I develop a physical health problem. Yesterday I completed week 4 run 1, and later developed really bad pain in my right hip. The pain is so bad today that it hurts to walk and I'm limping. I've booked to see a physio next week, but feel annoyed with myself because I just want to be able to run 5km with no problems.

Edit: I already had gait analysis at a running shop and have suitable running shoes. I always do plenty of stretches after a run and take rest days.

[Jancanrunagain Graduate]

Well our bods can sometimes be incredibly irritating despite what our hearts and heads want us to do. If you’re annoyed then that bodes well for your commitment. Good luck at the physio and we will see you back here as soon as you can be

[T2runner Graduate]

No one will go through this without any issues, severity can differ but any runner expects some injuries at some time, it is how you cope with it mentally is always going to be the bigger hurdle than the physical, reading your post your head seems strong, see what the professionals say, and go from there, maybe try cycling or rowing for a less impact exercise while you repair, physios OK first, to keep your heart rate and breathing up.I was born with dislocated hips and have suffered a bad back my whole life, I had forgotten about that until an osteopath ask if I had had any issues with my hips. You may have find out things from time to time, it's just how you adapt with the correct advice. Good luck and may you be back to full fitness soon.

[Trailslogg Graduate]

Looking at your age, is it possible that you're going too fast for your tendons etc. to adapt to this new running thing? Apologies if that sounds patronizing - I'm just thinking back to my younger self! Bones and tendons need far more time to adapt (build up strength) than muscles (including heart and lungs), so is it possible that your heart, lungs, and muscles all feel like going at a speed that your bones and tendons are not quite ready for?

[slothycoffee in reply to Trailslogg]

That is very possible. I haven't done any exercise in 6 months and went straight into running a few weeks ago. I'm worried that it's osteoarthritis because my mum has that.

[nowster Graduate in reply to slothycoffee]

The temptation is to go fast. Remember that muscle strength develops quickly but joints take much longer to adapt.

[Pinkpig20 Graduate]

although you are doing stretches at the end of the run you may benefit from a Pilates or Yoga class once a week to help stretch those muscles further.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

ohhhh…so sorry to hear this. It sounds like you’re doing all the right things so it must be something that needs checking out so hopefully your physio will get it to the bottom of it so you can get to that easy 5k….fingers crossed for you

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

I had a bad hip pain issue in 2023, I was travelling a lot so couldn't get to a doctor for months and months. The pain was so bad at times that I could barely walk.

The only thing that helped was taking real care with the way I moved my feet when I walked. Coincidentally I'd read this article - theguardian.com/lifeandstyl... - shortly before the problem started, and by trying to follow the advice it gives on how to walk I could sort of get everything aligned as I walked so that the pain went away.

I'm happy to report that when I finally got to the doctor he gave me an exercise to do and said to use ibuprofen and the pain which I'd had for 5 months went away. I hope that yours resolves as quickly