Well, this week was…. interesting. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever be able to string together two consecutive weeks where nothing goes wrong. Fingers crossed… maybe someday. Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting this weekly rundown! Before we get started…
Last week was so great that I went into this one thinking something like this: “I’ve finally figured out the ideal balance between running, strength training and yoga! I have the perfect method to activate my glutes before every run! The yoga is going to cure my plantar fasciitis! I have solved all my problems…. I am INVINCIBLE!!!”
Ha ha. Here’s how the week actually went:
Invincible Monday
I did a 20 minute yoga flow in the morning, and a 20 minute restorative yoga class in the evening. Can’t wait to get this amazing week started!
Ahem. Tuesday.
Last week I was doing a short Peloton Strength for Runners class before each run. Today I didn’t do an actual class, but some of my favorite moves from the classes I’ve taken in the past. I started with the Matt Wilpers giant hip circles- love those! This felt great and I also did some front and side lunges. I felt strong and ready to run.
Then I walked out the door.
I was suddenly seized with the strangest pain. It kind of felt like something slipped out of place in my right hip/glute/low back area, and it ached intensely with every step I took. Although I was startled, I didn’t panic right away because it just felt like if I could somehow… adjust… something… back into place, it would be okay. I’m not saying that’s what was actually happening… that’s just what it felt like.
I tried stretching it out, but the pain continued. It wasn’t a sharp pain, but a very, very strong ache in my right glutes. Now, I know a lot of people would have canceled that run immediately, but apparently my motto is “better sorry than safe.” I was determined to see if I could somehow run. After trying out a few different things, I found that getting into a very low lunge position seemed to ease the pain somewhat- so I did that for a bit and then started a cautious run.
After the first ten steps or so, the pain eased up and I was able to run! I actually had a good run, and when I stopped and walked back to my house afterwards I was pain-free. I thought the problem-whatever it was- was gone.
I felt so good that I thought I would carry on with my plan of doing a strength class. I had planned to do Becs Gentry’s Core for Runners (on the Peloton app) since I did that one last week and liked it so much… but just to be on the safe side, I tried a couple of the moves I knew were in that workout.
NOPE. As soon as I bent forward I could feel it again. At first I got worried that it was in my SI joint- I’ve had that before, and it’s bad news. But I was able to determine that it was along the top of my glute. Doing a strength class was asking for trouble, so I skipped it.
My right glute was achy all day, and when I went to bed I considered taking an Advil to help me sleep. But I wanted to make sure I didn’t sleep in a position that would aggravate it, so I didn’t. Sure enough, I had to experiment to get into a comfortable position, but finally found one (with the help of three pillows) and slept like that all night long.
Wednesday
Ahhh! Top of the morning! Obviously my glute pain was all cured. Ha ha… we’ll just see about that. It was another running day, so I cautiously, CAUTIOUSLY did some warmups. I did the giant hip circles again, very, very slowly. There was a point where my glute hurt, but I found that if I slowly pushed through the motion, it got better and not worse. Instead of lunges I did some split squats- also very slowly. Everything seemed… okay… so I left the house again.
AGAIN, as soon as I started walking, the pain came back. WHAT IN THE WORLD. I pictured the running gods looking down at me, laughing hysterically, saying “we’ll make this happen every time she tries to walk down the street! She’ll never be able to figure out what’s going on!” This time I was undaunted. I did my low lunge stretches and stubbornly began my run. Again, after the first ten-twenty steps, the pain disappeared. I had another great run.
Thursday
Now I was in a quandary. Thursday is usually my day reserved for strength training. But I didn’t know what was causing my pain (other than walking out the front door.) Honestly, I considered just sleeping in and not doing anything, but it was one of my daughter’s early days at school so I had to be up anyway. So…
I did a short Matt Wilper’s Strength for Runner’s class. I had done this one before and knew what to expect. I figured I could handle it, and of course I would have stopped if anything hurt. But all was well, and since that went okay I did a short yoga flow afterwards. I just wanted to see if I could get through all those moves, and I could. Hmm!
Friday
Another running day. Although my glute was still achy, I could tell it was better. I did a warmup and then, with some trepidation, walked outside… everything felt fine. Yay! I was able to walk normally and had another really nice three mile run. I did a short yoga flow class afterwards.
I could feel my glute aching at work later in the day, but… well, what can I do. Nothing I do seems to be hurting it, and yet it hurts. Luckily I have a job where I can stretch a lot- I’m hardly ever sitting.
Saturday
I did a 45 minute power yoga class with my yoga buddy, Denis Morton (on the Peloton app.). Actually all my yoga classes recently have been with him. I’m a little nervous about yoga now with all the twists… but everything felt fine.
Invincible Sunday!
Since the glutes seemed to be holding steady, I decided to go ahead with my “long” run. When my husband said he was driving to the beach early, i decided to hitch a ride and do one of my favorite things, run home from the beach. I love point-to-point runs- somehow it feels like more of an adventure.
When we woke up, the temperature was 82. Yes, that was our low for the night. I’m not sure what the “feels like” temperature was- I think it might have been 160. Just kidding. But it was really muggy- the air just hit me like a wet blanket as soon as I stepped outside. That’s okay! I’ll take any run, in any conditions.
The good thing about running home from the beach is that I go straight west, so the sun is at my back the whole time. Nine hot and sweaty miles later, I was home.
So… crazy week. I though I might be injured… then I wasn’t… my runs all felt good, strength training was a little light (for obvious reasons) and, well… onward! Next week I’d like to increase the distance of my weekdays runs a little. And not have anything hurt. At least I can’t say my life is boring.
Would you have run through that glute pain? – My husband is a much more cautious runner than me- he won’t run if anything hurts at all. He also doesn’t get injured as often- coincidence?
Tell me about your fall weather so I can live vicariously! – We still have a lot of summer ahead of us here.
32 Responses
Glad to hear that it wasn’t a serious injury. I’ve had that SI pain and my chiro got rid of it right away.
I will run if things hurt lol. Lately I’m ok. Knock on wood.
But as I’ve aged, I see a doctor sooner.
Yes, I’m with you. Keep running if at all possible, but see a doctor promptly if needed. Well… I could be better about seeing the doctor. I still don’t have a sports doctor that I love, sigh.
It depends on the pain for me. I still had some sensation on the top of my foot after yesterday’s run, but it’s slowly getting better & I don’t need miles & miles anyway, luckily. So I tend to be more cautious, too. If $$ were no object, I’d go to PT at any little niggle, but it is so I don’t.
But sometimes I feel like you, you fix one thing & something else breaks!
I hope this week brings no pain at all. Good luck!
Thank you Judy! Yes, sometimes I fantasize the things I would do if money were no object. I would get more MRIs so I could figure out exactly what’s going wrong. And regular PT. But… here I am, trying to figure it out on my own! It seems like this time I lucked out.
I feel like I’ve had a similar thing happen when my SI joint is giving my trouble. I usually notice it the first few steps and once I get going it feels fine. However, I need to be careful because it can irritate my piriformis and sciatic nerve. Our bodies are so confusing and complicated! I hope that you can increase your mileage without any more issues!
Thanks Lisa! I feel like that area is especially confusing. So many different muscles and nerves involved. I’ve had SI joint issues in the past as well.
Lately, I’ve been backing off if I feel any pain. I’m glad you were able to work things out and get some solid runs in. Hopefully, this week will be pain-free for you!
Thank you Michelle! Sometimes backing off is the correct thing to do. I hope your hip issue is resolved soon.
Ugh, that pain sounds like a real, pardon my French, pain in the a$$. I’ve had similar aches/pains in that region, and it’s always hit or miss on what’s causing it and whether running actually helps or hinders it. Usually, I will attempt to run and I’ll know by the first 1/4 mile if I can risk going further. But that’s not always an accurate means of assessment LOL Wow…nine miles? That’s an impressive distance!!
Ha, yes Kim, I was just wondering why all my pains lately seem to be in my butt. Yes, you never know whether a run will help or hinder. I guess I got lucky this time!
I wouldn’t have run through that, sounds sciatica-y to me. But fair play to you and you’ve got through it. I found out yesterday I wasn’t invincible – ran the 10 miles to and from parkrun with volunteering for an hour in the middle, hated and struggled in the run back, realised there hasn’t been a run I’ve liked for a few weeks. So maybe I can’t do 100+ mile months every month and maybe there’s a reason people at my level don’t do those. Hm. So some hard decisions have been made and I’m glad I can talk through it in comments and with my running mates rather than making myself blog about it! Stay well yourself.
Sounds like maybe you’re a little burned out? I would blame the weather but your weather has probably been a lot more pleasant than ours lately. I hope you work everything out- nothing wrong with pulling back or taking some time off it you’re not enjoying it!
Yes, laughable as it is for someone like me to have “overtrained”, I think I have, basically. It’s hard because the run I’m really hating is the club run, where I am a run leader and help do the roles like the introductory talk and running the beginners’ session, however I can’t keep up with the beginners we’ve got at the moment and I really don’t do well running in the evenings at the best of times, so I end up trailing along at the back, keeping the tail runner back (I don’t run slower than the mandated speed but I do feel bad for delaying a fellow volunteer when I can usually do a bit better). So I’ve had to have a chat with the volunteer coordinator (who was lovely of course) and will pull back from that and doing so many miles in general. And concentrate on my sleep.
Yes- I’m really trying to focus on sleep as well. If you pull back for a while and get more sleep, the problem may just resolve itself.
that is a weird scenario. Maybe your piriformis a little aggravated. I would probably head for a massage and see if they could work it out. Goodluck this week
I would love to get a massage but it would have to be someone I really trust. I’m afraid of someone not knowing what they’re doing and making it worse somehow. But I’ll look into it- I haven’t had a massage in quite a while.
This is the second time I’m concurring with Deborah–maybe I need to post after her all the time! Some deep tissue work might be the thing? Something isn’t happy, that’s for sure. I hope it passes.
I’ve learned the hard way this year–several times–that I’m not invincible! Hello! I think that’s why I’m being so cautious about returning to running. The last thing I need is another injury!
Yes, unfortunately the older we get the more it becomes apparent that we’re not, in fact, invincible. Ah, I miss being a teenager sometimes!
It really depends on the pain for me as to whether I will run on it…often times the run will loosen things up. But if I’m limping around afterwards, rest (and a dr. visit!) are in order. I hope this was a temporary little setback and that you can get back to normal this week!
Yes, I agree- limping afterwards is not okay. But I definitely don’t stop for every little ache and pain- if I did that, I’d never run at all!
I will run through some kinds of pain in hopes it’ll resolve. I hurt my back years ago on a cruise and it’ll flare up at the beginning of a run from time to time but it always settles down. Personally I’d take an issue like yours to my sports chiro and most likely he’d align my pelvis and all would be right with the world. Most hip issues I’ve had were resolved when my pelvis was aligned. That’s a beautiful sunrise!
That’s actually a great idea. I do have a sports chiro I could go to. Thanks for the advice!
Crazy week, indeed! But you ended with a NINE mile run! That’s fantastic. I’m not sure I would have kept running if it hurt so much at the start. I will push through a lot rather than walk home, but …. Fingers crossed your body behaves this week!
Thank you Coco! I have high hopes.
Run from home to the beach was my favorite summer route until last year when we went in the morning: 11 km with the second half shady.
This summer it was impossible because we left home at 02:00 p.m. and the heat was unbearable.
Congrats on your long run and …… fingers crossed.
Thank you! I like running from home to the beach in the winter, but in the summer the problem is I’m facing into the sun the whole way! The other direction (beach to home) is much more comfortable. One of my goals for this year- a run from home to the beach, and then back. That would be a nice 18 miler.
It’s so concerning when pain comes on so quickly like that! Happy to hear that it wasn’t anything too serious.
Fantastic job on your 9 mile run!!
Thank you Kim! It was very mysterious- but it’s feeling good now.
oof!! What the heck. That’s a bit mysterious, and I don’t like mysterious! I’ve had glute pain for many years and it’s no fun. PT was always helpful for it, but I did run through it. Hopefully yours is gone and stays away! Florida runners are tough – I was complaining about 70 degrees and humid for my morning run. It would take me a long time to acclimate to your temps!
The pain is gone this week! I still have no idea what it was, but I’m just glad it didn’t derail my running.
Florida runners are tough in certain ways- but we have no hills, and we’re at sea level. If I tried to run in the mountains I would probably keel over after 1/4 mile.
What a crazy story – I don’t think you could make that up if you tried! It’s great that your longer run on Sunday felt so good and based on your replies to comments above, you’re pain free this week! I wonder what it was, but whatever the case, I’m happy that the pain is gone and hope it stays away.
Thank you Debbie! Yes… it seems completely normal this week. Crazy.