ouch, MY hip!!

[vin]

Hey Bill - do you recall my running situation with my hip? (yeah, ya know when I tied my shirt up around my stomach? ).
I went for a 6 mile run tonight around central park (quite hilly!) and my lower back (esp. on my right side) was definitely bugging me. I tried what you suggested, namely to drop my arms a bit and run more horizontal rather than bouncing up and down. I noticed an *immediate* difference, and most of the pressure was off of my painful area.
That said: do you have any good stretches I can do prior to race day? (I've got around a month before the race) I know you mentioned the split squats and the bulgarian split squats, as well as lunges; any others?
If it helps, I think you said my hip flexors were very tight.
Thanks!!!!

[Bill Hartman]

All the lunge variations should cover it. Remember the oscillatory isometrics? Lower yourself down about 2/3 of the way, contract the quads and glutes hard, release the tension and drop to the bottom of the lunge and rebound out of the bottom. Don't forget to work downward progressively as you could easily strain a hip flexor. Think progressive range of motion, progressive speed, and progressive load. If you start now you should be able to improve your hip flexor compliance.

Bill

[vin]

Got it!
Hey, do you have any mini-Hartman's residing in NYC? It'd be quite helpful!
I'll letcha know how it goes.

Brian