Injury

I'm experiencing my first running-induced injury. Not fun. I've heard and read of people with major injuries, but I secretly thought to myself "How bad can it really be? Can't they just work through the pain?" Karma has bitten me in the ass.

Last Monday after my treadmill run I sat in my office chair, legs folded under me, and worked on my laptop. When I got up, I noticed a nagging pain on my left hip. So, naturally I thought I could run it out. Tuesday and Wednesday I did the same treadmill run followed but sitting in my chair with legs curled. I also made a trip to Des Moines each of those days. I had no idea how much my natural way of sitting was hurting me.

Thursday through Saturday I took off from running. I thought if I rested it, that may help. The pain was still there. I thought for sure the stairs on Sunday's climb would cripple me. It wasn't any worse than before. So, Monday Amber and I ran a killer 5 miles. I worked through the pain and felt okay at the end. By the time I drove 15 minutes home, I could barely walk. I was now ready to see a doctor.

Today I went to the chiropractor. He found my hip bones were way off. My right hip was rotated forward and my left was rotated backwards. When I was sitting with my legs folded under me or leaning off to one side that was stretching and straining muscles. Also, the bones in my knees were not aligned. The cause was partially due to all the treadmill running and partially because of how I strain my muscles when I sit. Even as I type this, I'm itching to fold my legs up or lean to one side.

Now I'm in the routine of icing it, sitting on an exercise ball, doing a few stretches and exercises, and visiting the chiropractor a few times a week. I can't run for a few days. If I weren't in the middle of training I probably wouldn't listen as well, but the marathon is only a few months away.

Moral of the story: Don't tempt Karma.