26.2 Quest: Not Running is a Pain in the Butt

It has been nearly a week since I have run. I wish I could say that it was all part of my plan and was part of my reverse taper for my marathon just a few weeks ago, but the marathon was a FEW weeks ago and most any reverse taper plan would have me running by now. I was following a reverse tapering plan and was starting to feel myself again this past week. I did get some decent runs in the week following the marathon, and last week was feeling really good. Since last week was Thanksgiving here in the US we did some traveling - a LOT of traveling. We spent most of the week in Indiana and then the second weekend drove to North Carolina.

I ran all week and felt great, but then we drove from Indiana to North Carolina on Friday for my daughter's Cross Country Meet. Friday evening my lower back was a little sore, and it just got worse overnight. It didn't seem too bad so I got up and ran 3 miles on Saturday morning before their meet. Little did I know at the time, but that was going to be my last run for some time. My back started hurting more during that run, not bad enough that I felt that I needed to stop, but rather just a nagging pain.

In the days following that run the pain started to work it's way down into my butt. I haven't been running since that time, but the pain didn't seem to be getting any better - until today. I am far from feeling better, but today was a little encouraging.

I am not sure what is going on. What started as just lower back pain has settled in my butt. The pain isn't constant, but kinda hits me when I move just wrong when I am walking or sitting too long. I have read a little online when I have had time and I am starting to wonder if it is my Sciatic Nerve. The pain doesn't go down my leg like I have read usually happens, but it kinda does sound like it still. Another possibility is that it is my Piriformis.

I don't really have a clue. I am still in the process of self diagnosis and hoping the rest/ice/heat/stretching will take care of it. Like I mentioned earlier, I am happy that today it seems to be feeling a little bit better but I know I am not out of the woods yet. On the bright side, I have an excuse to watch movies all weekend and not worry about the leaves in the yard that need raking.

What do you do when you have a pain like this? Do you run to the doctor right away or do you try a little bit of self diagnosis first?

Hoping to be running soon......

9 comments:

David H.Dec 3, 2010, 4:16:00 PM
I often do self-diagnosis and can get away with it for minor pains. A few years ago a friend of mine had similar pain and went to the doctor and it was his sciatic nerve. It took him a while for it to go away, but he was able to manage it to be able to resume some running. If I were you, I wouldn't let it linger too much. Back pain can cause hip and leg pain in the long run.
Kym KlassDec 3, 2010, 7:21:00 PM
I do what you're doing -- rest, ice, heat, stretch. Test run. Etc. Have you considered going to a physical therapist? Take care, Tim.
Desiree L.Dec 3, 2010, 10:26:00 PM
I had this "injury" this time last year. The sports doc said it was pirformis. Did PT, which included a lot of core work and dry needling to the pirformis. Both helped but didn't fix it. So I had a MRI and found out that I have a slight disc bulge in my L5 area. So I then went and had an epidural steriod shot to the area in my back and that helped. It got me back to running and exercising. Now I see a chiro once a month and keep up with my core work and it is managable this year. However I'm now back on the injury list due to lovely plantar fasciitis :( Hope you feel better. Try some of the self care from online advice but if it continues I would go see a sports doc. I went to Atlanta Sports Medicine and they were great.
The Green GirlDec 4, 2010, 12:47:00 AM
For me, it depends on amount of pain and length of time. I will Internet self-diagnose and treat until I can't take it anymore.
JohannDec 4, 2010, 3:11:00 PM
Usually I'll know if it is bad enough to go the doctor immediately. If not, but it doesn't go away after a week or so with rest, I also have it looked at. I had some back problems once and it turned out to be my chair at work.
PatrickDec 5, 2010, 7:16:00 PM
For me it also depends on the pain.

I will usually try rest and ice as you are doing. I will also try internet self diagnosing to see if there are any different stretches I can do that may help.

Hopefully you can get back out there soon.
Tim WilsonDec 6, 2010, 7:57:00 AM
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. It has been just over a week now and I think I am on the mend. I switched away from heat and to only ice on the suggestion of my wife's chiropractor and it seemed to make a big difference.

I am going to go out for a test run tonight if the day goes good. If all is good I will start back slowly and see how it progresses, if not I may head to a doctor/chiropractor soon.
Tim WilsonMar 16, 2011, 2:59:00 PM
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. It has been just over a week now and I think I am on the mend. I switched away from heat and to only ice on the suggestion of my wife's chiropractor and it seemed to make a big difference.

I am going to go out for a test run tonight if the day goes good. If all is good I will start back slowly and see how it progresses, if not I may head to a doctor/chiropractor soon.
Desiree L.Mar 16, 2011, 2:59:00 PM
I had this "injury" this time last year. The sports doc said it was pirformis. Did PT, which included a lot of core work and dry needling to the pirformis. Both helped but didn't fix it. So I had a MRI and found out that I have a slight disc bulge in my L5 area. So I then went and had an epidural steriod shot to the area in my back and that helped. It got me back to running and exercising. Now I see a chiro once a month and keep up with my core work and it is managable this year. However I'm now back on the injury list due to lovely plantar fasciitis :( Hope you feel better. Try some of the self care from online advice but if it continues I would go see a sports doc. I went to Atlanta Sports Medicine and they were great.