After the Unplugged half marathon last Saturday, I have had quite a bit of pain. So, I went to the chiropractor today complaining about my piriformis again. He decided to do a complete reevaluation. I started having this pain (butt, low back, hamstring) on and off for the past 3-4 years. After the reevaluation, he told me that he now thinks it is Sacroiliac Joint dysfunction. After doing lots of research on the web, I believe he is right. Now I have to go do PT, actually focusing on the SI joint as the root problem and the low back/butt and hamstring pain as a result of the SI (not the sciatic, as was earlier diagnosed). Some of the exercises and stretching that I had learned and have been practicing to alleviate the butt/back/hamstring pain could have actually been exasperating the SI joint dysfunction. UUUggghhh!

Part of me is relieved, but I know that I have an uphill battle to recover and build the strength to deter re-injuring it. He gave me the go ahead to run, but I have to ice after. I will have biweekly massage, which we really can't afford. Sitting for long periods of time really hurts and the pain wakes me up in the night and I actually have to walk around a bit before I can go back to sleep.

So, I ran my six mile run today with a SI belt on that helps me stabilize the joint so that it doesn't slip out of position. It went ok, but I am definitely slower and it gets painful after the 4th mile. I don't know how this is going to effect my marathon training. I have 6 weeks left and I have come this far and will be very disappointed if I can't run in it!! My chiropractor, who is excellent by the way, thinks he can relieve the pain enough so that I can finish it.

Another option is getting a cortisone shot right into the SI joint. I don't know if that is even possible to do before the marathon because it usually takes a few months to get an appointment. It also costs a lot of money and we have a huge deductible on our health insurance.

I have decided to keep training and take it day by day. I will have to mentally prepare for the possibility that I will not be able to run the marathon.