[cptslc@yahoo.co]

I have had lower back and hip pain for years. The doc says don't run, I have dic this and that and arthritus in the hip. Well, I started runnung a little, it felt better. It seems as I loose a few LBs and run more the pain goes away. Stratching and running is seemingly a good thing for the pain. Has anyone had the same experience. Besides a few short lived back and hip episodes my pain has gotten 80% better with doing what the doc said not too. Any input would be great. The reality of doing a Tri is becoming more real. I am very new still and can run only 4 miles and slow at that but 2 months ago I couldn't jog a 1/5 mile without being layed out for 2 days with lower back pain. The running is in conjunction with some Yoga and other major stretches. Come back with feedback please.

[Otter]

All I can say is take it slow. I like you have a number of aches and pains. After 20 years of Army training my body is pretty beat up. But I started out slow and have progressed at a nice rate. The first time I ran after a 10 year lay off was not pretty. I bet I looked like an 88 year old instead of a 48 year old. I couldn't even run a 1/4 mile without walking because my knees hurt some much. If I hadn't broken my collar bone last October and waited until July of this year to start again I'd probably be at around 7 1/2 minute miles. But currently I'm at about 9 minute miles. It just takes the old body more time. One thing I do use is Glucosimine. It's a joint lubercant that I been using for about 2 years now. I no longer feel the ache in my knees and hip like I did before I used it. Might be something for you to look into. Two other key points are recovery and good shoes. Make sure you are allowing enough time to recover in between work outs. And drop some cash on a really good pair of running shoes. Good shoes will absorb a lot of the pounding unlike cheap shoes will. I learned that the hard way as well.

Good luck.

[NWT58]

Building core strength will help a lot. Pilates is great for building core strenght and stabilizing the lower back. I have to stay on top of taking care of my back. I have had lower back pain off and on for 8 years. Strengthen your core and listen to your body. Finished my first IM this year. Taking care of my core stregnth, stretching, and massages all helped. A good sports massage therapist works wonders and is worth the time and money.