Piriformis, bottom, butt, tush, derier. Whatever you want to call it, it sure can cause a load of pain.
When you're a healthy athlete, you don't think about what it would be like if you weren't. You just enjoy being healthy and keep pushing your body to the next level.
When something hurts and is hindering your hard-earned progress, there is a feeling of overwhelming dread and hopelessness that starts to set in. You wonder if you'll ever feel 'healthy' again and what it would be like to run without pain radiating down your butt and hamstrings. That's what I've been experiencing for the past month. I've had 3 ART sessions, a neuromuscular massage, a dry-needling session and foam rolling every night. Last week I finally let up on the running. My butt is getting better, but it's not totally happy yet and it's been hard to stay positive.
I raced Loveland Lake 2 Lake Tri a few weekends ago and finished 1st in my age group, but it was a painful race - especially the run. I'm racing Boulder Peak this coming Sunday and am not sure how my rear end will hold up, or if racing will negate all the progress I have made in healing. I have no idea what I did to it. Well, I HAVE an idea, I just am not sure what ultimately pissed it off to begin with.
Thankfully, I'm still able to swim and bike without hardly an issue. So, this Sunday I'll see how hard I can hammer those 2 disciplines and run as best I can. I will be competing in the Age Group Elite category- which is exciting and intimidating at the same time. I am just hoping my butt can handle the pressure.
Being 'injured' also seems to cause additional stress in life. Getting past this increased burden has been another challenge for me. I try to keep my head up and look for the positives, the big picture and tell myself that all this will pass (and to never do 1-leg squats followed by speed work again). Until then, I look forward to the next day and make the most out of the day I have b/c worrying about anything else is as useless as "trying to solve a math problem by chewing bubble gum."
Bottoms up and out.
