Running...I would describe it as the new found love of my thirties.  It has been a great ride, which culminated in the half marathon race last fall.  It was a life goal that took so much hard work and I am proud of that.
However, it was not the best plan for me.  I trained hard just after having my fourth child because the race was six months after I gave birth.  This resulted in my hip issue.  I've been struggling with it since the training last summer.  I pushed through the pain to get the race done and figured my resting period over the winter would erase all the damage done.
Sadly, that was not what happened.  Instead, I have been going in cycles of running and feeling great, and then end up needing a break again because my hip is hurting.  So, currently I took a few weeks off until last week.  I got out there once.  No expectations...no phone tracking my distance and pace...just me and some music with a splash of the magical combination of fresh air and exercise.  It is going well this way.  I walk some...I run some.  I got out there this morning and did a walk/run and I am feeling great.
One factor may be that I saw a physical therapist and found out that my hip pain my be caused by my shorter leg effecting my stride.  I purchased a lift and some new inserts for my running shoes and found out that I need new running shoes.  Hopefully, this will be the key to helping my hip feel better. So far...so good!
In a way I am starting all over again with running.  I have to fall in love again.  I have to be proud of small distances and slow paces and let running be fun- not disappointing and painful.  Scott Jurek said (in his book Eat & Run- which is my all time favorite book about diet and exercise) that running should be carefree, like child's play (or something like that).  That is where I am at.  I just need to get out there and enjoy myself and do what I can do without expectations or old standards get in the way.  I hope running can continue to be an enjoyable and somewhat pain-free activity in my life for many years to come! Here's hoping!