Courtenay Brown

So last time I updated my blog, my doctor had just diagnosed me with piriformis syndrome and a probable labral tear in my right hip. After two diagnostic injections and an MRI, my diagnosis has been refined. There’s cartilage damage in my hip. It’s been really painful, and has gotten worse in that it hurts alllll the time, no racing or even training needed. Plus I get the impression from my doctor and the internet that this is a slightly bigger deal than a labral tear in terms of long-term consequences, so I’ve opted to try to fix it surgically. I’m heading in on October 31.

I’m told to expect to be non-weight bearing for at least 6 weeks, depending on the extent of the damage. I think that means I can get a handicap parking pass. It also means my mom is coming to help take care of me at first because she says I have no idea how much of a pain in the ass (not her exact words) this is going to be. It might be a case of the Blind leading the Crippled… She’s getting cataract surgery in November. But I’m excited she’s coming.

I’m also told that I should be able to race next year. I’m so excited at the prospect!! I love racing and I have really missed it, a year ago this weekend I was racing Rev3 Anderson and I’d so hoped to race it again this year… It has felt terrible to have these great sponsors and not be able to represent them well, and for most of the year not even knowing what was causing the problem. Side note though, if it weren’t for Rev3, I don’t think I would have figured this out yet. I saw Dr. Kevin Maggs in the ART tent at Rev3 Maine, it was his diagnostic assessment that enabled me to start addressing the issue. I am so grateful!

More immediately though, I’m excited not to be in pain.

In place of recent training and racing photos that don’t exist, here’s how I’ve been letting off steam from 65 hour schoolwork weeks and an athlete-identity crisis…

Gaslight at the Fillmore

My newest most prized possession

Metric at the Ogden