I've been doing a little bit of everything, and while my shins aren't reacting too well to the suddent jump back into running, the foot pain is tolerable. I have been doing a lot of run/walk mixes and the epsom salt foot soaks every night and whlie I'm not cured it definitely feels a bit better. I'm actually thinking that it may be the biking bothering me, as I felt intense pain while riding today. I can't figure out why, maybe the pulling motion with the clipless pedals is doing something?? I am supposed to go back to the doctor on Monday, but I haven't had my MRI yet (insurance is taking forever to approve it since he wants it with and without contrast). If I can't get that done tomorrow or Friday then I'll have to cancel. I'm not going to waste 2 hours driving and money if there is no new information. I had the bloodwork done, but they were sending the results right to the doctor, so I'll have to wait to get them until I can see him. I did run a 5K on Saturday with my dad. It was probably pushing too much too soon as my shins are still suffering, but it was fun AND as a plus, my DH was so inspired watching me suck it up and overcome the foot pain to race that he says he wants to try to run a 5K despite his arthritis. I printed him out the C25K program and he sounded really excited (this is like the least athletic person you will ever meet). I told him I'd do it with him, but he hasn't wanted to start it yet.

So far, so good. I am 9 weeks post. Although I jump started my return a little, I'm maintaining even walk/run by either time or distance, alternate days, 40 min or less per session. I plan on just hanging at this level for another week or two as I am back outdoors and trying to reintroduce impact. Timing the sessions is really helping me to keep my total running time/session to reasonable amounts. Shaunna and Joni - does sound like both of you are making progress as well- sounds like relatively good news so far.

Hi everybody. Looks like I'm joining ya'll on the bench. My hamstring/hip thing has been bothering me long enough I'm starting to take it seriously. It started as discomfort a few weeks ago and being the addicted runner that I am, I ran right through it. Duh! Did the 80-mile relay and a half marathon on it. So here I am! LOL! I've not run in a week now and it's killing me. I tried last night since the pain is gone when I walk but the pain was back within a quarter mile once I started to run. It wasn't bad but since I could feel it, I was good and stopped. I had a race scheduled last weekend and had to miss it and now I'll be missing my 5K this weekend too. ::sigh:: This sucks! Teresa

Awww...sorry to hear that Teresa! I think the hardest part of this is restraint. I find it very difficult to listen to my body and lay off, but I know if I don't, I'm just going to be putting myself one step forward and 2 steps back. I'm back "running" after about 18 years, so it's a whole new ball game. I hope that you recover quickly!!

Teresa- I agree with Cheryl, your story is incredible and inspiring! Sorry that you are joining us... do you have any idea what is causing the hip pain? Joni and Cheryl- It does sound like you are both making progress. Joni I think you summed it up perfectly with this: "I'm not quite on the bench, but not quite "running" yet! " I think my biggest fear is that since there isn't "anything wrong with me" I will always be dealing with this pain. It's so discouraging to try to stage a comeback when I know the really bad pain could return at any time.

nods head, I feel your fear - I'm moving, but I am definitely nervous.

I second that! And it came true a couple days ago as I started feeling pain. I laid right off, but it's like walking on glass!!

That was one of the reasons my mom was opposed to my having surgery - she thought I would have it and then I would still hurt. (She recommended I try taking tylenol. LOL.) I think she missed the point which is I wasnt doing it because of the pain. I was doing it because I wasnt convinced I was going to heal anytime soon and wanted to move on with my life and get off crutches without concerns about losing blood supply to my hip. Shaunna - I know you are in a really tough place and totally frustrated. And I know you just want to be able to do the things you like. I think my recommendation for you is to take a week off if you are currently hurting. Then start gradually building up in both running and biking. I am talking about C25K speed, or the program I made for Claire in the 100-mile pace group. If you and your husband do it together thats even cooler! http://www.runningahead.com/groups/100/Forum/b132caa81cce4af18e29e3c348b308ce/1 Something similar with biking too. I know you can run farther and it seems like a huge step backwards, but something tells me if you step back a lot and build really, really slowly it may work. Then again, it may not. But thats what I would try at this point. Also, do you know what blood work your doc ordered? Have you thought about seeing a rheumatologist? It doesnt seem to me like your problem is rheum based, but maybe it wouldnt hurt?

Gabe- It's a problem in my right foot, pain that started during a long run. I've been treated for a stress fracture, a neuroma, gotten custom orthotics, had PT, taken time off... nothing. All my xrays are fine as is my MRI. I'm in pain even if I take lots and lots of time off. No problelms whatsoever with my right leg or foot before this happened, and the doctors (I have seen 4 now, 2 podiatrists and 2 ortho surgeons) have no idea what is causing my pain. Abba- Thanks so much for the plan. I saw that you had made one for Claire and I thought about doing it, but I guess my convern is that I never had a fracture or any relief upon stopping activity, so taking a week off won't really help (except my shins maybe). I took 6 weeks off on crutches and a walking cast back around December and almost all of April again completely off all activity and I had no relief. For awhile running or lots of walking was making it feel worse at night, but now that I have started the foot soaks with epsom salts, that has stopped completely. It's just a constant pain on and off all day, regardless of what I do. It jumps between my outer toes, the base of my toes, and running up and down my 5th metatarsel. The doctors think it's either rheumatoid arthritis (which I know they tested for in the blood work, but I'm not sure what else they were looking for) or chronic pain, and said that there is no harm in activity. I appreciate your advice a lot though and I think I am going to try to do more run/walking like the C25K plan and all my runs at a very VERY easy pace. I am glad to hear that you are up and about.. good luck with the bike ride and getting back to studying!