Happy Runniversary to me!

So yesterday was my grand 1 year Runniversary!  I have learned a lot this past year and I will cover that in another post.  But the most important lesson I have learned is to listen to your body.  I started developing a nagging hip pain after the San Diego Women's Half Marathon (my favorite race so far!) and it wasn't going away. Uphill especially and it wasn't just an excuse to not do hill workouts.  So I tried acupuncture and massage.  I even tried rest and ice until I gave myself hypothermia!  Serious!

Alas, I was not to get that magical one step cure all - the CORSTISONE shot!  My primary care doctor truly believed I had trochanteric bursitis.  So she referred me out to a sports medicine doctor for a cortisone shot.  The doctor took one look at my pain profile and the movements that caused me pain and said, "Left Hip Flexor Tendinosis." 

My hospital selfie

I won't go into all of the details but how I understand it is that Bursitis is inflammation and Tendinosis is a pre-tear.  And since I am allergic to NSAIDs, I am kind of hosed and my only option is rest, ice and physical therapy.

There is nothing worse for a runner than not being able to run!  A year ago, I would have said, "A forced break from running?  YES!"  No more, I don't know where that girl went but she is gone.  The thought of not being able to run makes me want to curl up into a little ball and cry!

So I will be good...somewhat!  I have the mother of all Half marathons coming up at La Jolla and I have to get thru it to earn that darn Triple Crown.  I want to run for a long time and I don't want to jeopardize that by being foolish and running before my hip is ready...

Anyone have any tips for me?  Have you been injured?  Everyone says swim but I don't have ready access to a pool.  It seems to me that the bike and elliptical would actually be worse on my hip!  Argh!  I am so out of sorts!  I need my endorphin release...