Time to be worried?

I am only in week 2 of my half-ironman training plan and my hip pain from last year has returned!

Extremely unfortunate.  I had been stringing together some of the best runs of my triathlon "career" until this point.  When I get to the 2-mile point in my runs my left hip begins to get sharp pains as my gluteus medius and minimus trigger points flare up.  This causes them to become inhibited and all hip stability goes out the window.

I thought this had resolved since being dry needled a couple of times this winter in addition to my being the most consistent with hip and core strengthening than I have been in nearly 10-years.  Now I need to find a physical therapist in Arizona who can dry needle my hip so I can progress my rehab exercises and re-initiate my running program.

Fortunately, I have been able to continue my cycling and swimming without any ill effects.  Worst case scenario I have to switch my entry from the 70.3 to the aqua-velo (swimming and cycling only).  However, it is still early in the training so I think I will be good to go.  I have always been a pretty good half-marathoner so as long as I feel good a few months prior to the event I think I can make up for the lost time this early in the plan.  At that point in the race the sheer exhaustion should outweigh any pain anyway.

I always knew that I was a runner first and foremost, but this has definitely confirmed that because I do not feel like myself right now.  There is nothing better than getting lost in thought listening to a great sermon or a great song while going out for a long run.  Let's hope that between me and my physical therapist we can get this thing figured out!

Happy training to you.  May it be injury free.  And if not, I feel your pain.

~ Scott