…but it’s not looking good. I have been a runner for over 25 years, with 7 marathons, including Boston, and several tris. I was a very competitive AGer, usually top 3-5 in every race I ran. I tore the labrum in my right hip while training for Disney a couple years ago. I had arthroscopic surgery in Dec '02 to repair the labrum as well as some torn cartilage the doctor found in the hip socket once he got in there. He said it was pretty bad and warned me against doing marathons again, as well as saying that running may be uncomfortable. I got into cycling much more after the surgery and am now riding quite extensively. However, I miss the running.
I went out this past week for a short run and BOTH hips were very bothersome and sore after just 2 miles. Granted, it has been a while since I ran, but I never felt this way after a little time off. While I enjoy cycling, and bought a sweet new ride two weeks ago, I don’t want to give up my running.
Has anyone gone through a similar experience with surgery and found you just couldn’t get back to it? Anyone have any suggestions on getting back on the roads again with two feet instead of two wheels?
While I’ve never been under the knife I have had a couple of extensive injury related layoffs from running.
Coming back sucks…there’s no other way to put it. …but it does slowly get better and then one day you’ll be out running and it will feel effortless and you’ll smile and know you’re back.
I am very much an on again off again runner. Getting back on the horse after a long rest sucks… really, really bad. But one day, after about 2 weeks for me, everything pops into place and I feel great. But every run up until that point is more painful than a hard race.
Have you considered water running? Good luck!
I did water running as part of my rehab. It certainly helped in my recovery and being able to walk and move about again, but it didn’t help it feel any better on the roads. I was able to get back up to 2 - 3 miles at a time, slowly, but once I got up to that point, the pain and discomfort came back. I’m not sure I can be a casual 2 - 3 mile runner. If I can’t get back out and race again, I don’t want to just get back on the road and be a back-of-the-packer. It also served as my biggest form of weight control. Cycling is great, but I don’t find the weight loss/control benefits as much as running.
I feel your frustration. Running was my first sport before coming to triathlon in the early 80’s. It was always my strength when competing in triathlons for 15 years. I loved the simplicity and conveinience of running. You can do it anyware any time. I retired from triathlon racing in 1997 when my son was born. For a a few years after that I just ran and again it was the simplicity and efficiency of it all that I loved. You did not have to travel to a race with a portbale sporting goods store in your car, like you do to a triathlon. Just toss the racing shoes and a singlet in a bag and off you go! That all ended 2 years ago when I found out I had a herniated disc in my back and was advised not to run. The running really seemed to aggrevate my back. Lucky for me cycling did not seem to bother it as much, so I have been back doing a moderate amount of cycling, but I still miss running.
Ditto that Fleck. Nearly same story except my problem is calf/achilles. I’M HOPING MY NEW VIRTUVIANS WILL HELP. I really miss it this time of the year when the whether starts getting warm. Sucks getting old!