Massage therapist called me a jock. C'mon! I was a jock as a kid. Can't I at least be considered a JILF or a JOUGAR???

Hippy Chick- Surgeon Appt #1

A proud Mama shows off her hip x-rays!

My hip/leg feels good. My hip/leg hurts. Rather Rinse Repeat.

Over the last several months, I've seen Chiropractors, Family Practitioners, Sports Med Docs and PTs, Airrosti treatment experts, ART experts, massage therapists, etc. I've taken anti-inflammatories and had an MRA scan which confirmed what was suspected. I have a small labral tear in my hip joint accompanied by a 4 mm cyst. I'll also be honest. The only thing I haven't done is COMPLETELY STOP exercising. With that being said, I have cut back on intensity and mileage opting for more low impact choices like swimming , yoga, pilates and a little bit of running and riding.

While a hip scope is definitely the primary surgical treatment, I don't want to rush into this solution for many reasons. The biggest reason is the lack of longevity and research that supports a full recovery. In fact, trimming off some of the cartilage (if repair is not possible) only compromises the hip further for future arthritis. Quite frankly, this surgery is just too new to have long term results. Needless to say, I've sat on making any moves for months. In the meantime, I've met and spoke with some wonderful Austinites who have also been diagnosed and have recently had or are contemplating surgery for the same diagnosis. Results have been mixed quite frankly and a few of there surgeries are too recent to assess any real results. Time, patience and physical therapy will tell. All seem relieved that they went ahead with surgery instead of prolonging their pain.

Yesterday, I met with my first Orthopedic Surgeon. I delayed the surgeon appointment because I could predict what they would say. "Of course you need surgery!" All I know is that I can workout to a limit, but speed work and cycling makes my right leg go numb.

The appointment presented some good news and some "hurry up and wait" news. First of all, they got me back to the exam room on time (surprise, surprise!). I was quickly assessed by a tech and then they scheduled more x-rays of my hips. I had x-rays done at another doctor's office, but didn't think to have those with me. All I brought were my MRI films and CD. When the surgeon first came in, he was rather abrupt and I understood why some people may be put off by his bedside manner. He definitely wasn't the "warm and fuzzy" sympathy type and proceeded instead to get down to business by asking basic questions such as, "When did this happen?", "When did you first start noticing symptoms?", "Where is the pain and describe how it feels," etc. At first, I was a little nervous (felt like it was a verbal test), but he was asking the proper questions and followed up appropriately. I described my pain as I've been having it mostly....1.) Deep stabbing pain in the hip flexor/groin area that gets agitated when I run fast causing my leg to go "dead." 2.) Lower back pain that extends around the glute, sciatic, IT Band and down into my lower leg (usually when cycling).

After looking at the MRA films, he did concur and confirm that there was a small tear that was probably causing the hip flexor irritation. He definitely didn't make a big deal of either the tear or the cyst, indicating that they were both relatively small. He also brought in the X-rays that they had taken and had nothing but positive things to say about those pictures. My femoral head is perfectly shaped (hell yeah), the S-Curve on the femur looks good, spacing between then femur and the socket cartilage looked healthy and proportionate, no osteo-arthritis, etc. He very confidently said that he did not see any signs of FAI, confirming what the Radiologist reported. My heart actually leapt with joy on this one because an impingement can complicate surgery and recovery time.

Femoral head (ball) in good shape, good spacing between femoral head and

acetabular, no impingement noted

We spoke about the surgery itself and he didn't want to rush into anything until we know for sure that the tear is the root cause of all of the other pain. For instance, a numb sciatic nerve is not necessarily a common symptom of the tear. In any event, we kept coming back to this lower back pain and sciatic/leg numbness. Bottom line, before we do anything with the tear, he ordered a lumbar spine MRI as well as a nerve conduction study on my leg to rule out any bulging or compressed discs in my back which might be putting pressure in the same area.

I guess in one respect I'm happy to know that my hips overall are in great shape. I had an image in my mind of a shredded socket that was beyond repair. Range of motion is good and the x-rays showed an otherwise normal hip area. No osteo-arthritis in the hips was detected.

Spread 'Em!

So, at this point, he said I can proceed with normal activity and exercise, as long as I'm not in debilitating pain. He didn't think I'm causing any more damage as long as I keep my distance and speed comfortable until we know more details. He also didn't rule out a cortisone shot to see if that helps too.

In summary, I respected his "let's rule out everything else" attitude before scheduling surgery for the tear. He definitely wasn't "knife happy." He spoke briefly to the fact that this diagnosis is "the new thing" and seems to be treated with a lot of haste, which is why some people aren't satisfied with the results. With that said, he sounded very knowledgeable about debridement (shaving the loose parts of the labrum) vs. repair. I didn't ask other specific surgical questions at this point figuring it best to wait and cross that bridge if and when we get to it.

So, there is my report on appointment #1. I'm not at all excited about a nerve conduction study (needles in nerves), but if it helps alleviate some pain in the long run, I'll go through it. It can't be worse than childbirth (so I'm told!)

Someday I will have "The Amazing Hip!"

I kid you not. I just left my Orthopaedic Surgeon appt. and Black Sabbath's "Ironman" was on radio. I'm taking it as a good sign bitches

Just Like Old Times!

For the first time in many MANY months, I ran with my running partner Amy this morning! "Sapp and Skud" made their return appearance to the trail this morning for a nice 6.5 mile run at a comfy 9:00 overall pace. It was wonderful catching up on literally months of our lives. Because of Ironman training the first half of the year, my running schedule changed and we just weren't able to hook up as much as we would've liked to. I was training with T3 as much as possible and she was running with other friends who weren't torturing themselves with Ironman training.

Between this morning and running into a bunch of old Gazelle friends at Coach G's "Run for the Water 10-Miler" yesterday, I find myself nostalgic for the "good old days" of running and training with Gazelles. Can my hip injury withstand Gazelle training again? We'll know soon enough because I have a surgery consultation this Thursday with one physician in town and another one at the beginning of December.

In the meantime, I will run to my abilities and I will smile...just like old times!

Wenches on Wheels

Donned a "Hoffbrau Honey" costume and hightailed it down I-35 to New Braunfels with a group of girls for the Wurst Ride today. Now, we only did the 25 mile ride (would you want to ride 60 in a slutty beer costume?!), but it was a grand old time with old and new friends! Funny and wonderful comments from so many riders. Photo ops at every turn (which I never turn down!).

Most importantly--I had fun. On the Bike. It's been awhile.

Can I wear a costume in my next Ironman? I swear it will make the time pass quickly and effortlessly!

Here's to being able to ride outdoors in November and still get a sunburn!

My "Hoffbrau Honey" costume is on and I'm ready to be a part of Team "Wenches on Wheels" heading to New Braunfels today for the Wurst Ride. Lord help us.

Does This Qualify as Stalking?

Over the next two months, I'll be traveling a ton and trading bathing suits for parkas along the way. From Roatan, Honduras to Columbus, Ohio in November and then the Tour of California followed by another trip to Columbus in December for Christmas! We'll be in So Cal for almost a week between the California International Marathon and then a return visit to visit my brother-in-law before Christmas.

For those that don't know, I'm a huge fan of Ellen Degeneres and have been ever since the late 80s when she was a lowly stand-up comic making the circuit and frequenting HBO. I've always appreciated and respected her quirkiness and ability to be funny without resorting to the easy sex jokes (if only I could be that good). So, every day I check her website where I can request tickets to be in the audience when I'm in California sometime between Dec 10-16! Oh my god...Just sayin'...If I get to the Ellen show, Lord only knows what might happen. More than likely, I'll make a huge fool out of myself, but that is a regular routine for me anyways. No surprises there. She's just one of those celebrities I totally feel is doing it totally right.

If you or anyone you know has any ties to the Ellen show, let me know! Otherwise, I'll keep you posted on my "be in the Ellen audience" quest! For some reason, I think this goal may be a little more attainable than qualifying for Kona!!!

The Area Between Pleasure and Pain

Happy November!! Yikes! This means one month left of my "no real fitness plan" plan. And, at this moment, I have no idea what my Oceanside 70.3 training schedule will look like, or if there will even be a training schedule at all. I take each day as it comes and just kinda do whatever it is I want to do. Some days I hop on the Computrainer for an hour or so. Other days I start my morning with yoga downloaded from iTunes from Yogamazing. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I try to hit the 9am T3 Swim workouts. Still other days, I lace up the shoes and go for a tolerable run. Just last week, I rejoined the land of the gym rats and signed up for a membership to Lifetime Fitness. I like the idea of taking different classes, utilizing the pool, weights, and other services. Plus, it allows me to hit the gym when we visit the parents in San Antonio and Columbus. Some people have said I'm overdoing it. I feel like I'm letting the spirit move me.

On December 1st, I have planned to start training for the March 27, 2010 Oceanside 70.3. Everything is so up in the air right now and I literally take my hip labral tear day by day. On Saturday, I was able to run a slow, but comfortable 14 miles. This morning, I got up and joined the Jack and Adams shop ride for the first time. I hadn't ridden outdoors in months and frankly was scared to attempt it (read: intimidated). I was going to join the 20 mile "no-drop" ride, but a few friends talked me into the 35 mile ride with the promise they wouldn't drop me. Impossible to believe I completed an Ironman just a couple of months ago...True to their word, I rode a decent 2 hours and friends Rich, Kevin and Phil didn't let me fall behind. My hip/groin area felt it during hills (as did my heart rate), but overall I was exhilarated to be riding outside on such a beautiful morning in Austin. This afternoon, I went to the gym joined a pilates class and hopped on the foam roller to work on the quads and glutes.

It was one of those encouraging weekends where I felt hopeful that surgery might not be imminent. Inevitable? Probably. But, not necessarily urgent. And yet, there's a part of me that knows I'm also probably kidding myself. I don't know what the deal is, but I now know at least 8-10 people in Austin who have been diagnosed with a hip labral tear. Many of them have either had a hip scope or are in the planning stages. After my run on Saturday, I had brunch with Erin, new pal Amy and Leslie. Leslie just had her hip scoped two weeks ago and showed up in good spirits and crutches! Today, I ran into former Gazelle Rich who has had not one, but TWO surgeries on his hip for labral tears. His road to recovery has been a little more than bumpy. T3 friend Jeremiah just had his hip scoped last week. Muna was scheduled, but switched surgeons and is now booked for a hip scope by one of the high-profile surgeons in Vail in February. There's also Julie (MFJ) and Austin Fit friend Tom who are fighting the same injury. Seriously, what is the deal?! Part of me has the "misery loves company" feeling, but it certainly leaves me wondering why this has suddenly become the new diagnosis. Is it because technology and MRIs are better? Is it because hip scopes are becoming easier and more commonplace to perform? Is it because we are all pushing ourselves too hard? Probably a combination of all three.

So here I remain in this random gray area of trying to work within my pain/comfort limits. I, too, have started the surgeon interview process and will be receiving several opinions from both local and out of town docs. Even patients have differing opinions on what to do. So, while I have Oceanside 70.3 on the calendar at the end of March and Ironman St. George on the calendar in May 2010, I have no idea if I'll be able to race in both or either of them. Ultimately, it doesn't matter, because it's becoming obviously clear that longevity and my future health is more important than any 2010 race.

With all that said, it's time for my evening stretches!

Me, Amy and Leslie after Saturday Brunch! Good times!!!

Thank You Computrainer!

Many thanks to Kevin at Computrainer USA for recently sending me some new goodies just for being an avid CT user and promoter. If you are looking to improve your cycling both on and off the road this winter, consider a Computrainer. It has saved me much-needed time and allows me to get a safe and ultra-effective workout in a short amount of time...(15 second plug over).

Seriously, I plan on using it for both Oceanside 70.3 training as well as Ironman St. George! In fact, I heard a rumor that the St. George Real Course Video is just about to be released!! If you're doing this first-ever Ironman, you know what an invaluable tool the Real Course Video is going to be!