Hello February! I swear January felt like one of the longest months on record. I always say I’m not one to wish away time, but I’m a tiny bit happy to have January in the rear view mirror. There was a lot to push through! I’m sitting down with Coco, Deborah and you for a catch-up session over a nice hot beverage. Ready to get started?
Is This the End of the Road?
Over coffee I’d tell you about the doctor’s appointment I had for my angry hip. After a couple of quick manipulations that caused considerable pain, the doc promptly sent me off for x-rays. I took the liberty of reviewing the x-rays on my own before the doc returned to the exam room. Even my untrained eye could see the differences between the two hips. Uh oh. While I was hoping to hear I’d merely strained something and a little rest would have me back up and running as normal, sadly that was not the case. My right hip joint shows early stages of osteoarthritis and the cartilage, according to the doc, is “flaking away” While it is not bone-on-bone, it is degenerative all the same and is not something that will heal. Although I am not a candidate right now, the term hip resurfacing came up. Well isn’t this special?
He highly recommended a cortisone injection, saying it “could” give me relief to the point I’d be able to run again. The other option would be to stay on Ibuprofin to reduce the inflammation that’s causing the pain. At the moment, I’m not a huge fan of either one of these options, although I’m leaning toward the cortisone. Why is this happening? Osteoarthritis happens due to overuse, aging, genetics, and joints that are not formed correctly. In my case I have shallow hip sockets, or dysplasia. Arthritis and joint replacements are in my family history as well. So there you have it, I can check all the boxes. It’s a lot to take in. Aging has a way of constantly giving one new issues to contend with.
Is running over for me? The doctor assured me that plenty of people run just fine after hip resurfacing. I have friends who are running with knee replacements. It all feels so geriatric so, to help myself feel better, I googled famous athletes who had hip replacements:
Tennis star Andy Murray
Football and Baseball star Bo Jackson
Pro Surfer Laird Hamilton
The list goes on.
Right now I’m still in a state of shock. Despite doing my best to stay active and do everything “right”, here I am. I’ll figure it out, one way or another. For now I’m doing what I can: Strength training like a mofo and I’ve added in more yoga and lots of stretching too. I’d love to say this too shall pass, but really it won’t. I’ll just find a way to make the best of it…eventually.
Let’s move on to something lighter
Over coffee I’d ask you about any goals you had for January. Running and fitness streaks are popular, as is Dry January. You know about my self-imposed push-up challenge, which I decided to continue. What I may not have mentioned is something I’ve done in previous years. NoSpenduary. It’s all about recovering from the holiday shopping/buying frenzy and not spending money on non-essentials. I was doing so great from December 27 until January 23…so I made it almost a whole month. It was the week it was so frickin’ cold here, I broke down and bought myself a full-length down coat. Of course I already have a variety of jackets and parkas, so did I really NEED it? The answer is yes. Yes I did.
And last I’d ask you if you have any races coming up. While I don’t race anymore, I certainly coach people who do. I’ve got athletes heading to Tokyo soon, two of which will be earning their 6th World Marathon Majors star. I’ve been coaching both since before they ran their BQ races and I could not be more proud!
What would you tell me over coffee? Any travels coming up? Any injuries? Purchases?
I’m also linking up with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn and Zenaida, for Fit Five Friday.
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