The Prognosis

"You're weak."  Not exactly what I thought I'd hear from the doctor when I went to have my hips checked.   But after a physical exam, the doc's conclusion is that my hip pain is caused by a minor strain.  The strain is caused by having weak abs, gluts and abductors (the muscles in the hip responsible for moving your leg to the side).  He suggested physical therapy, which I start today.  He also recommended that I use KT tape on the hip so that I can continue running without pain.

This is mostly good news.  It sucks to have pain.  The doctor said I can keep running as long as there isn't too much pain.  I went out for 3 mile yesterday in my Brooks Pureflows and pain was minimal.  It looks like I'll be able to keep training as normal, I'll just have to include more strength work.  I'll describe the physical therapy exercises after my session.

When I can't run, I get irritable.  After a weekend of rest, I found myself feeling stressed out and cranky by Sunday night.  Everyone around me should be relieved that a long rest is not a part of the doctor's orders!