My little blog is now 2 years old, as of May 24th, actually. I haven’t been tending to it too much lately. Work, grad school and prolonged dental work have occupied a great deal of my time – along with half-marathon training.
Yes, I did say a half marathon, didn’t I?
Two years ago – while awaiting my first hip scope (on my left side) after injuring myself training for my 10th full marathon, in New York – I wasn’t certain I’d ever be running again. At least running without significant pain. Then came Hip Scope No. 2 (on my right side), just five months later.
The subsequent months in physical therapy were largely devoted to getting my body ready to be active again – and unlearning some bad habits (I was a terrible heel-striker). I learned some essential exercises to strengthen my core and stretch the muscles and tendons. But it was slow going, as I sought to regain both muscle and muscle memory.
Last year at this time, in fact, I reluctantly abandoned plans to run a simple 5K race, because I felt I wasn’t ready. I had been going to the local track and trying to add laps on each new visit, but quickly grew frustrated by what seemed like a lack of progress. I gave up on the track – I found it not much better than a tedious treadmill – and decided to just head out my front door and run my regular three-mile route. I’ll run what I can, and if I need to stop and walk, so be it.
That strategy has worked, and since then, I’ve been gradually extending my distance and running days. I am now up to running at least three times a week and up to six miles at a clip. On the days when I’m not running, I’m taking a spin class, weight-lift at the gym or ride the stationary bike in my sun-room. I also try to incorporate the PT exercises into my weekly routine.
The road to recovery over these last two years has been a bumpy one, filled with setbacks, both large and small. At times I felt as though I was taking a couple steps back for each step forward.
But right now I am feeling the best I have felt since before my surgeries. And for that I am grateful.
Happy (scope) Birthday! Thought I’d check back and see your latests posts. Glad you are doing well. I’ve also learned that I cant do what I used to do (want to do), but at least I’m no longer in pain. The body can only take so much, and we need to listen to it and be smart. In any event, I’m also feeling better after my recent set-back, so onwards and forward! Keep up the blog, I’m sure many others will benefit from it!
Hey Armando!
I’ve been torn (O.K., bad word!) about keeping this blog going, but I guess some people are reading it, so I will continue for now.
Glad you’re no longer in pain. I totally agree that we need to listen to our bodies. Unfortunately, I can’t work out the way I used to (which was like a maniac), but I’m O.K. with that.
This whole recovery process took a lot longer than I ever expected. Dr. Coleman told me that I’d be running again in three months and feeling back to normal in a year. But it’s taken me almost two years. July 15th will be two years since Hip Scope No. 1.
Anyway, thank you for reading and stay in touch!
Vivian
Hi, I just read a good portion of your story and wanted to ask you a few questions – if you wouldn’t mind, of course. It’s hard to find information on the Internet and your story had some great information/links in it, so thanks for posting all this! I won’t bore you with my injury sob story, but I have CAM impingement in both hips with tears and….a bad sports hernia. I’m a former soccer player and have been totally out of commission for two years and have lost all my fitness. I’ve met with Alexiades, Ranawat, Byrd and saw a guy at ONS in Greenwich. Wanted to know if you have any solid background on Alexiades – I’m schedule to do my right hip in a month and have been getting a lot of conflicting opinions.
Thanks,
Dustin
Hi Dustin,
Sorry for your injury. I don’t have any information on Dr. Alexiades, unfortunately, but I do see that he is associated with Hospital for Special Surgery, where I had my two hip scopes.
My surgeon there was Dr. Struan Coleman, who in opinion, was pretty terrific. He scoped four other people I know, and fixed another friend’s torn meniscus. HSS is probably the best hospital I’ve ever been to: professional, clean and caring.
I don’t know what kind of surgery you’re having, but I wish you the best of luck. Please keep us posted on your progress.
Vivian
Hey, thanks for responding so fast. I just finished your entire blog, and it’s really inspirational. Thanks, and glad to know you (a fellow sports injury person) are on the mend…albeit longer than expected.