For those of you who are following along with my hip/groin injury saga, I thought I would give a quick update. I am in week 4 of no running (except for 1.5 miles run this past Friday and Saturday which don’t amount to much anyway!). I had two ART sessions last week and another one this afternoon.
At last week’s session, the chiro watched me run on the treadmill to analyze my gait and see if there were any imbalances. Well, let’s just say the left side of my body is jacked. Apparently, my left side is very tight- something that we had already determined in a previous visit.

Wait, that’s not all! Apparently my arches also collapse as I start running, so I am pronating inward, which is aggravating the good old right hip. I am sure you all have a lovely visual of me running now! I promise I don’t look THAT bad! So along with the ART, stretching, and strengthening exercises I am doing, I am also going to change shoes.
I am madly in love with my Altras, but they don’t have enough stability for me now. However, I discovered that they are coming out with a shoe that would be perfect, the Provisioness, so I am going to order a pair of these (they are brand new and shipping March 1). I can’t wait to try them out.
I did ask the chiro when she thought I would be able to run again, and she’s thinking about two weeks. I am in the acceptance phase of this injury, so I guess I am okay with it. I really just want to be able to run again, so I will do what it takes. The plans for my epic half marathon PR at Shamrock are going to have to take a back seat to the hip…
Thanks for the update– you sound so positive! I’m glad you’ve managed to accept it, and two more weeks isn’t too bad. I’ve found that I need a more supportive shoe too… I’m hoping to transition toward a more minimalist shoe eventually, but my body hasn’t liked that idea yet. 🙂
Thanks Laura, I think 2 weeks is totally manageable too. I ran a bit today- about a mile and a half. I feel it- but it feels good to keep it moving so the muscles don’t shorten up. I am stretching a ton too! 🙂
You are keeping such good perspective on this injury, I totally admire that! Being sidelined, esp with a big race goal looming, is such a mental thing to battle – even more so than physical – so awesome to see you keeping the positive attitude up! (even though I’m sure its not easy)
Thanks Jess! I think the older I get, the more I realize you just can’t change some things, so you have to accept them and move on. Believe me, it’s taken me a LONG time to reach that point! 😉
Oh man! That is very frustrating, but at least this week they seem to have found a source or two! I am dealing with severe shin tendonitis so I know how frustrating it can be!! Here is to your new shoes and a healthy hip!
Glad you’re staying positive!
I can vouch that you don’t look bad while running at all! 🙂 Hope you’re up and running (hardy har) soon!!!!
Thanks Samantha! When she was describing what I was doing when I ran, I felt like I must look completely ridiculous (at least to a chiro!). I hope I can run again too- can’t wait to hit the road with you soon! 🙂
Hang in there, Jess! I think you are not alone as a mother runner with this injury…any mother who has carried babies on their left hips can probably give you the same exact feedback. Same with the fallen arches…after four kids my feet aren’t what they use to be. Shoe tip: Asics Wave Inspire. They are great training shoes. Good support for pronators and relatively light.
As per your delayed half…how about running the Rock & Roll in Providence with me in August??????
Thanks Holly! Having kiddos does take its toll on you! RnR Providence would be awesome to do together- let’s do a 1:40! 🙂
Correction: Mizuno Wave Insprires, not Asics. Mixed up the arsenal. A 1:40 goal sounds tough, but doable…you may have to pace me a bit. 🙂
I just got a pair of them yesterday! Did a mile and half in them yesterday and two today. I think we can do 1:40 – aim high, right? 🙂
Sounds like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel – hooray! And it’s great that you’re finding out the cause of the injury, so it won’t happen again!
Thanks Michelle! I am working hard to be patient. One thing I hate about injuries is that you are constantly thinking about it when you run- am I doing too much, is this soreness to be expected, etc. It would be so much easier if we didn’t use our hip flexors for everything! 😉