After tearing my hip flexor at the European Championships, I came back to the UK expecting a quick recovery. You know, a few weeks off, a bit of ice, and I’d be back on the track in no time. Unfortunately, my optimism took a nosedive when both the doctor and physiotherapist informed me that this wasn’t just your run of the mill tweak. No, this was a proper tear, the kind that laughs in the face of a “month-long recovery” and settles in for 6 to 9 months of discomfort. Lovely.
The physio, in a tone that suggested he’d seen more stubborn athletes than he cared to count, prescribed a routine of strength exercises and flexibility work. It was a combination of Pilates and hip strengthening. I was essentially handed a full-time job called “trying to make your hip behave.” Running? Absolutely not. I couldn’t manage a light jog without wincing. So, until Christmas, I mostly focused on walking the dog and trying to stay optimistic. A massive shout out to Trevor Hodgson, my friend and training partner, who literally phoned (nagged) me every day for 3 months to offer words of support and encouragement!
Then, one December day, while out with the dog, something miraculous happened: I managed to jog. It wasn’t fast, it wasn’t pain free, and my hip clicked like an old car, but it was jogging nonetheless. At this point, I was willing to take anything that resembled forward movement.
Here’s where things got weird, I realised I could actually run backwards without pain. Yes, backwards. Apparently, running in reverse doesn’t bother the hip flexor as much as trying to run the normal way. Who knew? I briefly considered entering races backwards but decided against it. Instead, I went back to the track to hang out with my training group, doing my best impression of an athlete while doing walking drills and the occasional hurdle stretch.
This routine carried me through January and February, leading up to the British Indoor Championships. I wasn’t in any shape to compete, but I went along to support Trevor, who was crowned M50 60m Champion. While there, I had a chance to see a miracle worker, or rather, a sports therapist who goes by the name of Jana Matouskova, who used some wizardry called Active Release Techniques. She dug into my hip muscles with the kind of determination that makes you question your life choices, but after two sessions, my hip felt better than it had in months. I went on to benefit from more of Jana’s determination at major championships throughout the year!
Armed with a slightly more functional hip, I returned home and began some gentle track work. Emphasis on *gentle*. Nothing fast, nothing impressive, just the slow crawl back to form. Of course, because nothing is ever simple, other parts of my body decided to make their voices heard. Knees? Complaining. Ankles? Throwing a fit. My general fitness? Gone on holiday.
Although, if running backwards gets me to the next race faster, I might just give it another go.
Stuart Lynn - Masters Athlete 