Most runners know that injuries come with the territory: run long enough and you will experience some type of injury.  After all, running is a physical sport.  But what is one to do after sustaining an injury?  Well ... let me tell you my story.

Mid-April of this year, I slipped on a patch of ice while walking (yaw, walking).  Although I never fell to the ground, my left leg slid awkwardly to the side, quite a ways from the rest of my body.  There was no immediate pain or discomfort and everything seemed to be fine.  However, towards the end of a marathon two weeks later, the left hip began to "act up" and I was forced to walk some every mile.  But heck, we're marathoners, so on to the next marathon four weeks later.  Once again the left hip began to "act up", and I was forced to walk most of the last 4 miles.

Concerned, but not deterred, I visited my primary care physician, had a hip x-ray, and began four sessions of physical therapy to first stretch and then strengthen the hip/buttocks muscles.  And then I ran another marathon ... my third within eight weeks.  This time my body shut down at mile 18, and the rest was not pretty.  Despite assurances from my doctor that the bone and cartilage structure within the hip were OK, and despite following a structured series of exercises under the direction of a good physical therapist, "something was wrong".

Back to the doctor ... this time an orthopedic (sports medicine) specialist and another evaluation and hip x-ray.  Once again, the bone and cartilage structure appeared to be OK, but there were signs of "early arthritis" in both hips.  However, I would experience slight to moderate pain while lifting the leg rather than when the leg made contact with the ground again, so arthritis was not the problem.  With a more reliable MRI scheduled in the next couple of weeks (insurance companies make you wait for these expensive procedures), the preliminary diagnosis is a "tear" in the hamstring muscles and a "strain" in the hip abductor muscles.

Now what?  How about "walking"?  Yaw, walking.  Strange enough, with the exception of mild stiffness in the hamstring area, I experience very little discomfort while walking, even at a rather brisk pace.  Make that two exceptions ... the other being hills.  Walking up hill does causes slight pain in the hamstring area, which makes perfect sense.  But I can't jog a single block without debilitating pain, so walking it is until things get better.

With three more full- and three more half-marathons on my schedule later this year, I'm switching to a "walking" routine.  Not to worry, I will not do anything (training or racing) without the prior approval of my doctor(s).  But for now, I have the "green light" to walk as long as there is no pain.

Stay tuned for some "marathon walking" training programs on this forum.  This is going to be fun ... because I'm outside doing what I love to do!

Thanks Lpadg,

Walking is kind of cool ... although it does take longer.  And it is harder than it looks ... at least if you're trying to walk "fast" (as in race walking).  But I can walk pain free and it does allows me to retain leg strength.  I've entered the "walker" division of two half-marathons within the next 30 days, so we'll see how things go.  Maybe I'll fall down less by walking a "trail" course rather than running (humor).

Two updates to my medical story.

First, it seems that the hamstring muscle is "plural" ... it consists of four separate muscles, each attached to the ischial tuberosity (pubic bone) with its own tendon (well, kind of).  And, I have managed to tear one of the four (almost) completely away from the bone.  It is being held by just a small fragment.  This, is a very serious injury, more so that just a "muscle tear".  It will not re-attach on its own, and surgery might work, but there are no guarantees.  (Are there guarantees on anything in life?)

Second, the insurance company will not pay for PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections.  They are very expensive and the insurance industry still considers them "experimental" ... despite 7 years of historical use.  That is OK with me, because the jury is divided as to whether they do any good (many "experts" on both sides of the argument).  They have no downside (unlike cortisone shots), but only questionable upside.

So now its back to talk with the Sports Medicine physician and the development of a "rehab plan".  The recovery time from this one will be long and delicate.  It seems more likely each day that my "running" career is over ... period.  Oh, maybe in time I can jog a mile or two now and then, but the "running" phase of life is a thing of the past.

But I can still "walk" pain free ... really.  Hey, life is a series of "adjustments", so we'll see if "race walking" works.