Discussion: The other half of the story...

...so besides the piriformis, I also have to stretch my lower abs (yoga upward facing dog does it nicely) and my quads...but that's because my literal pain in the butt is the result of an imbalance between my lower abs and my back (darned kids!).

Any chance something you've been doing has messed with your back? If I've learned anything in trying to figure out how to manage my pain, it's that something that may not seem directly related sometimes results in pain in the glutes or lower back. I got some help with mine from a physical trainer - and the occasional dose of ibuprofen.

How are you finding your recovery from the weekend? I tried to run hard today and discovered I needed MORE rest. Sigh...

In high school I used to have hip pain because of low arches and running with arch supports seemed to remedy that problem. In college I stopped running with arch supports completely and had no hip pain at all. I think part of that is because my XC coach had all his runners get their running shoes from a guy that really knew how to fit you in the right running shoe.

I've also had shin pain lately...assumingly because I am restricted mostly to running on pavement (even the trails in DC are paved!) I've never had problems with my shins before so I don't know if perhaps my hip pain is related to compensating for that. Also, I used to regularly visit a chiropractor (my aunt!) which probably helped, but its been at least 6 months since I've seen her so that is probably contributing since I know my back/hips are out pretty bad. Plus just the increase in number of long runs takes its toll...as you can see its most likely a combination as opposed to just one thing that has been causing all my aches and pains.

Ironically though, I felt pretty good after the Highlander. I was walking just fine, even after a 5 hour car ride and only felt a little sore in the following 48 hours. Still, its been hard to motivate myself to run lately with all of my other problems as well as just being pretty bored of running on my own.

Actually, I don't think it's weird that you felt better after the Highlander. I'm worst off when I do nothing (or when I'm doing situps regularly)...as long as I run regularly, I'm ok. Something about sitting at a desk makes me tight in the core...

I know what you mean about company to run with. I'm going to miss having practice with the cadets once a week and running into former students when I go down to run intervals by the river at the end of the day. One thing that got me through the grad school / new baby / running program was having a virtual running partner in Jen Knowles (Cascade OC out in WA) - she and I met for a rogaine after doing a marathon training plan together. Good times.

You know, besides visiting a chiropractor, you now have a great excuse for a regular therapeutic massage...might be worth checking if your insurance covers it? I'm thinking of going in for one, myself...I have a very angry psoas muscle right now, and it's crimping my style!

Good luck!
;-)
Tori