Back to Running - Maybe

As you know my back caused me to stop running for a little while. About two weeks ago I ran into a local Naturopatic Doctor at the local rec center. Our kids were playing together and we started talking. I asked her if she was good at dealing with backs and told her what I had been dealing with. She automatically said it must be the iliacus psoas.

This ligament runs from deep in your hips around the outside to your lower back. I decided to go in and see her. (I would love to her see all of the time but in Colorado Naturopatic Doctor's are not licensed and therefore not covered by health insurance). I visited with her for about 45 minutes and boy was it painful! By pushing, massaging and moving my legs she showed me that the psoas was what was causing all of my pain. She gave me some stretches to do and said to try and get a massage to help.

She also said to lay off the running for about two weeks and then start slow to see how it goes with lots of stretching before and after I run. Also, I carry the girls on my left side, creating a shelf on my hip. After doing that for over 3 years I have shortened that ligament but when I run I try and focus on really good posture and make sure the left and right side on even - you can see where this is going. The right side has a longer ligament than the left side which has also led to my back pain. Now when I carry Lily I try to either carry her right in front or on the other side, which is really hard since I am right handed.

Today my plan at lunch was to go swimming. I rode my bike to the pool during my lunch break only to find out that it was closed! I quickly rode back to work trying to decided it I wanted to go for a bike ride (not really) or try a run. I decided that I wanted to run. I walked for the first 5 minutes and then stopped to stretch, then I took off running. I was going to run slower than I did but I was having so much fun and loving it. I ran 2.14 miles in 20 minutes for a pace of 9:22 per mile! It was great. After I finished running I walked around for a couple of minutes and then I sat down and stretch for about 8 minutes or so.

I know that my back could start bothering me any minute now but something else I have noticed is that it no longer hurts when I wake up in the morning. I am going to stretch some more at work so my muscles don't tighten up from sitting at my desk all afternoon. If I still feel good for the next week I think I will run 2 or 3 miles every other day. If that goes good I plan on running more starting the first week in April.