From Limping to Jumping for Joy

A few days ago, I was suffering from serious pain in my right hip that had me limping for the better part of a month. A PT session brought temporary relief last Friday, but as of Tuesday night, I was convinced that I would have to trash my tri season plans due to this injury.

Mind you, the doctor hadn't yet diagnosed me with any particular injury (I see him on Tuesday), but I overheard my PTs discussing my symptoms and I jumped to conclusions. I decided that I'd torn something in my hip joint and I'd be out for weeks and weeks. I was even depressed about my possible lameness on my upcoming trip to Europe. In an effort to find some temporary relief before seeing the doctor, I returned to PT on Wednesday. Depressed and hurting, I didn't have high hopes.

My regular PT was out sick, so Bill, the intern, was to administer therapy. He helped out the previous Friday, so he knew what was going on with me. He started with a few assessments and adjustments, then it was on to exercises. Suffering just to lift my leg in a variety of bizarre and torturous ways, I was on the verge of tears for the better part of an hour. Finally, the awful session was over and it was time to head back to the office. The moment I stood up, I was shocked.

The pain was gone!

The combination of manipulations and intense exercises must have done the trick. I walked to my car, pain free, and felt the joy rising inside me. I'd spent so much time feeling sorry for myself that I wrote off the possibility that the injury COULD be fixed. It's been two and a half days with zero pain! It is truly amazing.

I've never been this close to dropping out of a race. I really feel for those of you who've missed races due to injury and I have new-found respect for my body. She's a good one, and I promise to take better care of her!

Come on people...Let's race!!

xo
Steph