My age is starting to show.
Kidding. It would figure, though, that in my 10 years of running I’d never had an injury, but in the last 6 months I’ve had two. My broken toe wasn’t caused by running but it sure impacted my ability to do so. This time I’m honestly at a loss as to what is going on. All I know is that my butt hurts. (I wonder how many times I can use the word butt in this post…)
To give a brief background, I did two miles on the treadmill on Christmas as a new shoe test run. During that run my right butt cheek was a little sore. (I feel funny saying butt but the thought of using rear or glute sounds just as silly) When I was done though I didn’t notice anything so I didn’t think anything of it. Thursday I did a 6 mile speed work run. I remember feeling some random tingling twice in my left thigh, but no pain anywhere else. I felt great after the run, but noticed pain in my right butt cheek again later that day – enough to make me limp a little. I took Friday off and stretched well before Saturday’s 9 miler, figuring I’d pulled a muscle or just needed to loosen up some tight (butt) muscles. By the end of Saturday’s run, I could hardly walk, hurting mostly in that same area (butt, in case you forgot) and some in my lower back.
Monday I made last minute doc appt, where he poked and prodded my back and butt (ha) and determined I’d overused my pyriformis muscle – a small muscle (in the butt) under layers of larger ones and that happens to sit right over the sciatic nerve. He told me not to run for a week and start back with a couple miles on the treadmill where I’d have more cushioning, and stretch stretch stretch (stretch what, you ask? my butt).
The problem is, it’s been nearly 6 days later and I still can’t WALK without limping some, let alone run. The pain no longer occurs just in the pyriformis (aaaaand BUTT) area either, but also in my lower back on the right side, especially at the end of the day. Last night I twisted my waist laying on the couch and pain shot through my right lower back (not butt this time). After talking with my PT friend it seems that can be normal both from the tightness possibly shifting my SI joint and overcompensating in other areas.
After posting on my 2013 recap my realization that healing takes time, I still can’t help but feel frustrated that I’m out AGAIN. This means no Charleston half in two weeks which I had planned as part of my 6 half marathon goal for the year. I’m not completely without a sense of humor about it though. So far I’ve managed to make a number of not really FUNNY but groaner jokes about pains in the butt, butt massages and nipping the problem in the butt. (HA)
So, until another two weeks (sigh) have gone by, expect more posts containing the word butt.
(Butt count: 18…not bad, but (butt?) I think I can do better)
Journey To the Finish Line 
January 3, 2014 at 5:42 pm
Maybe you can go to a massage center and tell them you want your butt massaged? Haha! Seriously, do you foam roll? Do you have a lacrosse ball that you can use on it? Were you warming up enough before the runs?
January 3, 2014 at 5:45 pm
I warmed up Wednesday but not Thursday. I don’t own a foam roll or ball. This is the first running caused injury I’ve had that’s been something that didn’t go away after a day or two.
We laugh but I’ve thought about the butt massage thing 🙂
January 3, 2014 at 5:46 pm
I had piriformis pain throughout my marathon training. Get a lacrosse ball and sit on it, it really works!
January 3, 2014 at 7:07 pm
I will look for that this weekend! I’ve heard foam roll too. Thanks!
January 3, 2014 at 5:49 pm
As I was reading, I was just going to suggest foam roll! Wizard^^ Good luck on the recovery.
January 3, 2014 at 6:09 pm
You could try massage your butt with a golf or tennis ball?
January 3, 2014 at 7:06 pm
Yeah I will have to try that too. Thanks!
January 3, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! I’ve been in the same boat since I had my May baby. Prior to having him the only time I had ever injured myself from running was when I hurt my foot after running a 25k. I’ve been to the doc or PT three times since May, though, with my piriformis out of whack. I would strongly recommend trying to find a DO that can do a manipulation for you. I was limping for three weeks before I went in and all it took was one visit and I could walk and run again! I’ve since gone back one more time for an adjustment.
Mine was blamed on my ab muscles being weak from pregnancy and the relaxin still present in my hips.
Who knew babies could ruin your body so much ;).
I hope you’re on your way to running again quickly! I know how much it stinks to be sidelined.
January 3, 2014 at 7:05 pm
A DO? A chiropractor or is that something different? I suspect the core some too. My abs are still split a little from the pregnancy.
January 3, 2014 at 6:40 pm
This is exactly where my pain is!! Piriformis – sciatica – butt down the leg. I FINALLY got my diagnosis today – herniated disc. I hope this isn’t what you have, but I totally feel for you and the pain. I’ve been dealing with mine since July. Hope you feel better soon!
January 3, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Oh man. I don’t have pain down the leg but do in the butt and lower back. What’s the treatment for herniated disc?
January 4, 2014 at 9:24 am
They are going to start with a series of injections, which kinda creeps me out but I’m about ready to try anything at this point. Get on those docs early and keep at it. If we would have had this MRI a while ago, I’d be back to running by now. Annoyed that it’s taken months.
January 4, 2014 at 9:54 am
Cortisone injections? If I don’t feel Better by Monday I’m going to try a chiropractic consult. If that doesn’t work I’m going straight to orthopedic
January 5, 2014 at 2:18 am
I’m not exactly sure what they are. I’m going to call first thing Monday morning to set the appointment and I have several questions that I hope they can answer over the phone before I go. Chiropractors weren’t helping much for me. I hope you figure yours out soon.