Challenge - The Pain in the Rear

Yes, you heard it right!  The physical challenge as of late has been a pain in the rear...literally.  Today, after meeting with my chiropractor/ART practitioner Dr. Kevin Sherman at IronCare, we have an exact diagnosis - piriformis syndrome! Should I be excited about this?  YES!  And here is why...

Back in early August, during one of my weekly run workouts, I began to feel a sharp pain in my left IT band and hamstring, down the leg below my knee.  Every foot strike, it was there.  But wait.  I DON'T get injured!  NEVER!  Pffff if this is actually something to worry about!  

Oh but it became something to worry about.  I couldn't get through a run without stopping to try to shake it out, rub it, stretch it - whatever was necessary.  Then I would stretch and foam roll afterward.  It just wouldn't improve.  After talking to Coach Frank, we decided it was in my best interest to make a visit to Dr. Sherman to see what could potentially be going on.  There was a whole party happening on my left side only.  Imbalance.  Thus began a series of visits (two per week for about three weeks) that incorporated ART and acupuncture.  #1, I had no idea what ART was  (for more information, read here http://www.activerelease.com/index.asp).  #2, I was never a fan of needles as a kid.  #3, I never had a need for chiropractic treatment, so even the thought of him potentially throwing out the idea of an adjustment made me   concerned...okay, scared, really.  

I had no idea what a mess was going on.  Multiple treatments were necessary to work all angles from top to bottom on the left side.  I was left with swelling after the first few because of the manipulation of muscle, etc. during movements, but instantly started to feel better.  It was like the congestion was clearing.

Sounds good, right?  It was, but at the same time, my running mileage was slashed dramatically.  Since America's Finest City (AFC) Half Marathon was just around the corner, I had to scratch that race.  I was allowed three miles a week, at an easy pace, without any elevation change. Strength training also meant staying away from straining the lower back and upper legs.  All I kept thinking was WHEN can I get back to my regular training?

I raced TriRock San Diego sprint at the end of September and felt pretty good. My first running race back at it was the PATH 10K in Kona that kicked off Ironman week.  Fortunately, I had a few days to prep on the rolling hills.  Because I had taken Dr. Sherman and Coach's advice, the race went smoothly, and I was able to get in a decent amount of mileage on that trip overall!

But something just didn't feel 100% on my long runs.  Dr. Sherman sent me for an x-ray in November.  I had some nerves, but at the same time, we needed an answer.  The results were normal...so what was the next plan?  He continued to compile his notes, and after the last two half marathons, the consensus is we are treating the piriformis muscle.  All signs point to it.

Next week, I have another ART session and he will be analyzing my run, as well as really taking a look at my shoes.  We have made so much progress since August, so it would be the icing on the cake to really dial in and knock this out! And the praying continues!  :)