You Walk Kinda Funny

With the TIR less than two weeks away, I'm already a week into my next chapter of running: The Responsible Runner. I finally... finally broke down and went to a sports medicine doctor to find out what my latest ailment was all about. Two weeks ago, I pulled a muscle somewhere in my glute region. It was isolated but annoying enough that I couldn't run, what with the sharp pains and dull aches.

From a 10 minute conversation with the Dr., it was determined that my knee issues (...not... tendinitis?), IT Band injury, and this latest upset, were all related to one thing: Weak gluteus medius and minimus muscles.

So... what your sayin' there doc, is that my butt is weak?Through physical therapy sessions, we've discovered other contributors that include other weak muscles, smaller ones, around my midsection/hip area. These under-worked muscles, and what strength they do have, are stronger on one side of my body than the other; therefore, one side of my body is more functional than the other. ALL of it muscle-related, thankfully, and I'm thankful because it will be easier to treat than say, a bone or spinal issue.

So, what now? 
I work and stretch like I've never stretched before. And consistently, too. If I am to still run the TIR, which is not a for sure thing, I need to strengthen the weaker muscles quickly. I've been going to physical therapy twice a week, expensive yes, worth it yes. There, I'm being treated and tended to in a way I could have never done for myself. This is also where my suspicions where confirmed: I walk kinda funny (fun-nay)...

Is this me?

I had always thought that I didn't walk straight. My right hip is not as fully functional as my left. I guess that could make one walk in loops, but apparently I also lean slightly when I walk (like a zombie?). My only guess to my lopsided swagger is the uneven weight distribution within the bags I carry to work each day. Day-after-day... it adds up. And makes sense. I remember having hip issues in college when I would carry my book bag on one side. I switch sides and didn't have problems. FIXED! Except... that doesn't really cure the uneven-ness, long term.

So, it's time to start thinking like an adult. This isn't necessarily just an adult issue, but it does take some adult decisions to get back on track.

We'll see, TIR, we'll see...

Yet again, why stretching is important

Ahhh, injuries. They're what make an already challenging situation every so much more complex and frustrating.

I think I've strained a muscle, according to what I've learned on Webmd.com. At least it's just one, right? Right, except of where it is. My left glute muscle, or somewhere around there. NOT my IT Band, thank goodness, but something more isolated and forget about resting it. It'd be one thing if it was my calf, I could elevate it, pack it in ice, soak in a hot bath, that sort of thing. A GLUTE injury is a little trickier to treat, I've come to find. You're always sitting on it, you have to use it to walk, can't really hop around, or glide...so much.

Ok, fine then. Forget the fact that I've been moderately stretching my IT Band and every muscle around that area for months now. Apparently, I still wasn't caring enough.

Recovery time? Not sure. I really wasn't taking it seriously until it started stinging with each step after a really short run yesterday. I've got my longest run tomorrow, but I think I'll postpone it a day to see what happens. I had a few aches and pains earlier this week and this strain was the only one that didn't go away after a couple of days. I guess that's how you know it's a strain? Meh.

I guess I should pay closer to sites like this, going forward.

As for my knees, they've been OK... I've been adding in some different stretches, though I'm horrible at them, that are suppose to help strengthen the muscles around the knee to support it better. I feel that's the best chance I got. Speaking of which, I should probably stretch now. They recommend doing them five days a week so I better get on that!