I RAN! I RAN!!! Rewind… why are you so happy about this? I am dealing with some Piriformis/Gluteus muscular issues. Basically my butt is resisting the running movement and I need to stretch, strengthen, rest, warm-up and pay attention to some things I’ve neglected.
It had been two whole weeks since I ran until this past Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day. Naturally, I was signed up for the Dash Down Greenville, a major run here in Dallas on the day where EVERYONE (and their dog) is Irish. Per my coach and physical therapist, it was OK to try to run. SLOW. Like AS SLOW AS POSSIBLE.

Yes that’s a dinosaur. Yes, St. Patty’s Day is a BIG DEAL here.
So I did just that. I wasn’t sure what to expect considering how painful my last run was, so I didn’t expect much. I honestly figured I’d be walking the whole thing. But to my surprise, I started putting a little bounce in my step and next thing you know… I’M RUNNING! And it didn’t hurt!

I had so much fun with my Oiselle ladies!
I ran my record slowest 5K. Ever. And I am DAMN PROUD.

I did it!
Running pain-free is truly a gift that I will never take for granted again. Just running without a care in the world… THAT is what I love about running. Not that I’m cured or anything, but conversations with Coach have made me feel optimistic that I just need to focus on listening to my body, *actually* warming up, *actually* stretching, and *actually* doing my strength exercises.
I will be running again tomorrow and I am happy about that.
One day at a time.
THANK YOU to Lifelong Endurance for coaching me through it all. With running comes ups, downs, and lots of sideways. It’s about the journey, not the destination!
Congratulations
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Congratulations! I have the piriformis issues as well. Definitely effects my stride and I should rest it more. I spend a lot of time stretching it. When I am not running, I feel the most pain from it when I am driving! I use the tennis ball in the car and pretty much whenever I am sitting. Congrats again!
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Oh, interesting! I understand that – it was very painful to sit for a long period of time until I got dry needling done! Now it feels OK to walk and sit. But I also haven’t been running so it’s probably a lot happier in general right now. I hope it’s not an ongoing thing. I hope you get better! Thank you!
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Congratulations on running the race! I’m really glad you got to do it even if it was your slowest ever, sometimes it’s nice to just be out there participating especially after an injury. My race times have been pretty sad lately too but it sure beats not running! Plus, with the holiday races, sometimes it’s more fun to NOT be competitive. Best wishes as you continue to recover though!
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Thanks so much! I agree completely. It was really fun running behind someone in a dinosaur costume. It was definitely different!! lol! Thank you!
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Yes! I needed to read this. I’m on a similar path.
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I hear ya. I hope you are well soon! Running is definitely a gift. Slow or fast, I am thankful to be able to do it and hope to never take pain-free running for granted again!
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Congratulations!!!
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Thank you, Ashley!!
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