When my hip first started to hurt, if you had told me that I would be off running for at least five weeks, I would have screamed, loudly and repeatedly. But that’s what happened- I had to look back through my log to make sure, but it’s been five weeks since my last run.
The weeks have passed by surprisingly quickly, In this post I talked about Keira D’Amato, who had to withdraw from the Olympic Trials due to injury. Her advice for getting through an injury is “fill your life.”
So what have I been filling my life with? Well…
Physical Therapy
I started gong to PT, and it takes up a lot of time. I go twice a week for an hour session, and then I spend at least 45 minutes a day doing my homework. It’s time-consuming, and also fascinating to see how my body is working.. or not working, in this case.
Here I am doing step-ups. The goal, as in all the exercises I do, is to aim my knee out towards my little toe, because it wants to track inward. Working on strengthening those glute medius muscles!
By the way, while I was doing this exercise I suddenly realized how much better my hip is. Up until a few days ago it was still hurting and I questioned my progress, but I couldn’t step up like this at all five weeks ago, and now I’m doing sets of 20! Just goes to show, progress is never linear.
The Olympics!
I’ve been fanatically watching the Olympic Trials. I watched diving, swimming, track and field (of course) and men’s gymnastics. We decided to stream Peacock in order to get more coverage. I’m loving every single second of it! And look at this tank top from Old Navy…
I ordered this one, but they have other colors and styles as well.
Books
Right now I’m reading this:
I try to read a book a week. I know there are people who read way more than that, but this is a reasonable schedule for me. I don’t get a lot of reading time during the day, but look forward to it every night. Besides the fact that I just love to read, I also follow some really fun reading blogs- Modern Mrs. Darcy is my favorite right now.
Between those three things, work, pool running, planning our trip to Austin… I barely have time to think, much less dwell on the fact that I’m not running right now. Every once in a while I’ll think, “Oh yeah! Soon I’ll be able to run again!” It will be the icing on the cake.
What’s the best book you’ve read lately?
What are some things you’re filling your life with these days?
24 Responses
A good PT is worth every minute!!! I’m working on my glute med too, so I am doing a lot of the same things you are. Of course, now that I’m better, I’m slacking… plus I’m now preoccupied with my wrist, lol. It’s always something!
I am currently reading When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McClain and it is good!!! A little detailed, but it just makes me dig in a little deeper. I’ll have more on next week’s coffee talk post. I also like TBR etc for book reviews. She’s on IG too.
I read that book and enjoyed it!
Funny, because I’ve vowed to do glute medius exercises for the rest of my life. But I can picture slacking off as soon as I’m better as well! At least, I’ll incorporate some of it into regular strength training from now on.
Yay for progress! For me, it seems progress shows itself in spurts. While I’d love to see some gradual progression, (in terms of recovering from an injury or performance improvement with running/biking) the sudden improvements are nice, too. Sadly, I have not caught any of the Olympic trials… I might have to check Old Navy for some USA gear!
Yes, I agree- I’m definitely seeing progress in spurts. Whatever- I’ll take it!
PT does take up a ton of time! I was out for at least 6 weeks when I had the hip stuff. The second time I got the prolotherapy and I was out for just 2 weeks. Sounds like you are making a lot of progress which is fantastic.
Hmm! You’ve mentioned prolotherapy a couple times now- I definitely have to look into it.
Wow has it really been 5 weeks?! PT is a significant time commitment, especially if you follow through on all of the exercises at home. But it will pay off!
I have been enjoying watching the Olympic trials as well! That tank from Old Navy is cute!
Yes, I’ve had to replace all my usual strength training with the PT exercises just to fit it all in. I’m looking forward to this big payoff!
My hip aha moment was a few years back when I had a Dexa scan and the tech showed me how the muscle mass in the medial glute was disproportionate to that of the glute max. I’ve been working those medials ever since and knock wood, no more hip issues. Good for you for really taking all the PT work seriously. I too am loving the Trials! Somehow I missed men’s gymnastics though.
What is it with the glute medius? Why is it so weak? So many people seem to have an issue with this.
I can’t believe its been 5 weeks! Glad you are seeing some improvements. All your PT work will definitely pay off!
Thanks Lisa! I think it will too.
I love the Olympics tank that you ordered! I actually don’t have any summer olympics gear so I need to get on that, lol.
So happy to hear that you are seeing some improvements so far. Keep up the good work with PT!
Thank you Kim! Yes, I’m excited to get that tank. I though about getting another one as well in a different style, but probably one is enough. Not sure how much I’ll want to wear them once the summer’s over.
I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t seen one minute of the Olympic trials! I’m not sure why, I guess I just don’t watch much TV other than shows I have recorded. That’s great that you are seeing improvements. PT work really does take up a lot of time. I’m really not sure about my injury. It’s not painful, but there’s certainly an issue still. I’ll keep at it!
Well, it’s good your injury isn’t painful. It was at first, wasn’t it? Maybe it’s already healing up. Yes, PT… what a time suck! Maybe that will motivate me to keep up with a good injury prevention program once I’m back to running- the threat of going back to PT will be a much worse alternative!
I’m always good at filling my life. Yoga, running, strength training, hiking, walking Bandit, reading, learning . . . it takes me way longer than a week usually to read a book. I enjoyed the last one I read, The Puma Years, about a girl who worked in a wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia.
In fact, I haven’t been watching the trials, although I will watch the Olympics!
Glad that you are doing so much better.
Thank you Judy! I agree, there’s a never-ending list of things to do. I’m guessing it takes you longer to read a book because the books you’re reading are more serious than mine- I like really engrossing mysteries that go pretty quickly.
Women’s gymnastic trials are on tonight in case you change your mind!
Good work filling up the time and especially doing your PT diligently – hard to do but of course worth it. Best of luck with your recovery.
Thank you Liz! I tried to leave a comment on your blog recently but it wouldn’t let me (the problem is probably on my side.). I’ll try again today!
Oh, that’s weird, I’m sorry. It sometimes requires you to log in if you’ve ever had a wordpress acct on the email you put in – just put in a fake email and you should be fine! I don’t think there’s anything in my spam folder that shouldn’t be … nope, just checked!
Okay, I’ll try again! It happens to me occasionally so it could be something weird on my end.
The trials are amazing. Ive been watching them after the fact on You Tube,
That’s exciting that you have a big trip planned.
I have read several books by Tana French. Of course, can’t remember any of the names.
I’m really liking this book- depending on the ending I might check out some of her others (just want to make sure it doesn’t fizzle out at the end or anything!)