Hello,

I am a runner and I am addicted to this hobby.  I coach cross-country and I'm the distance track coach at Florence HS in Arizona.  I also race distances from 5k to half marathon.  Two years ago I was working on my first marathon to qualify for Boston.  I had paid for my race bib to run the Twin Cities Marathon (where I was living and racing for the Twin Cities Running Company).  I had just PR the 10k in the Get in Gear in Minneapolis when my hip started to hurt.  I took time off and came back easy and same result.  I was in great shape at the beginning of a racing season and was looking forward to a good year with some big goals for myself, so this was a big disappointment.  During that period of frustration, I continually found myself yelling at runners through my car window (as I drove past) and saying things like "don't run, you'll to take it for granted!"  That is one lesson I learned from this experience.  Someday, I won't be able to run.  My hips and knees might be too worn out.  And people keep telling me that running wears out your joints.  I reply, I would rather use what I have and wear it out, than sit around taking care  of a body that is going to die someday anyway.  So you know what, you need to do that 15 mile run and push yourself, because someday you won't have that luxury and you will miss the pain.  Anyway, memories are worth too much for me to sit around and worry about wearing out my knees.  

Back to t he story.  Dr. said I might have piriformis syndrome so I stretched until I could touch my toes... with my nose (slight exaggeration).  Some hours of PT and pain came back.  I saw Dr. Waslewski in January of 2008 and he looked at MRI/Xrays and told me I had Femoral Acetabular Impingement or FAI.  I was just glad I had an answer, surgery scheduled for April 3, 2008 (I am now starting a clothing line called 4/3).  I was on crutches for 6 weeks, but well worth it.  This second to last week of August I ran 20 pain-free miles.  I gained 10 pounds during the year and a half off, and I feel fat and slow; but nothing can express my joy of being outside and running again!!  I am now happy with a 6 minute mile, but maybe I can get back to the shape I had and beyond.  Only time will tell.  But if you want to follow me on this second journey, keep checking my page and maybe my story can inspire you to be better.