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I am very sorry you haven't been able to run for so long. My fingers are crossed for you that you'll be back to it soon. Do you have any idea of timeline? I've forgotten exactly what your injury is.
Thanks tigerchik, I wish I could forget too.
Prepare for TMI and parentheticals: I think the best/simplest way to describe it is piriformis syndrome (hypertrophic muscle irritating the sciatic nerve) combined with severe inflammation in my low back (L5, L4, S1) and hips (weak from prior injuries).
One of my legs is shorter than the other (anatomically, I wore orthopedic shoes as a kid) and as a sweet bonus I'm prone to hyperlumbar lordosis. The hip and radiating sciatic pain are things I've dealt with since college where I had a labral tear, bursitis, and nerve damage.
Over the years, I've tried the following: complete rest, icing, stretching, massage, physical therapy, de-stressing breathing techniques, NSAIDs, chiropractic, orthotics, glute strengthening, core work, epsom salt baths, ice baths, therapeutic ultrasound, steroid anti-inflammatories, corticosteroid injections, muscle relaxants, iontophoresis, M.A.T., and probably other things I've forgotten. I've had a standing desk for years, do yoga and regular p/rehab and correctives for hip/glutes/core, always try to get enough recovery, and I don't heel strike (common culprits).
The only thing that truly worked was not running from 2003 - 2011, during that time I had no issues. Since returning to running, I've had this happen twice. My Dr. thinks this episode was likely triggered by my position on my tri bike. I had a professional fit and supposedly had the core strength and flexibility for the aero position but I guess the inherent weaknesses in my hips compromised the position. Blegh.
Right now, walking and standing seem to be the worst offenders with the constant dorsiflexion of driving coming in a close third. The good news is easy swimming (don't push off the wall!) and easy biking don't seem to bother me so I'm not losing ALL my fitness. Even if I miss the second half of my first season as a triathlete, I had a great time, made new friends, podiumed in five of my six races, bookmarked SlowTwitch, and learned how to swim.
So, I'll be back :D
(Formerly SoCalTricurious, now in the PNW).