Two years ago I ran what I thought might be my last road race ever. I was bone on bone with OA. It was a 15K (9.3 miles) in Schenectady NY. With the help of several Advil the night before and the morning of the race I managed to finish OK.

Human Metallurgical Upgrade

By Bruce Benson, Pressure Equipment Integrity Engineer

Some folks know that I had a hip operation in 2006. After reading the news in last months newsletter concerning the Corporate Track and Field meet, some of them asked how I could run full tilt in a 100-meter sprint (we even won our heat) after such an operation. So, after prompting, I wrote this article.

My right hip started hurting in 2002. It was diagnosed as arthritis, possibly brought on by a very minor case of dysplasia (shallow hip socket, a birth defect). In the “before” picture (2005), you can see the “lumpiness” of the femoral head (normal is smooth and round). The doctor said that I would probably need my hip replaced in my forties. He was wrong – I was 39.

Posted on May 20, 2010
Running Hard after BHR

I love this subject. I searched the web for months before my surgery back in nov of 06 for info. There was less back than and it wasnt until Corey started posting about his running that this took off.

I have been racing since 5 months after my surgery. I did Mt Washington at 7 months and my first marathon at 1 year. Now I am racing once a month, usually a 10 miler or half marathon and my times are improving.They aren't what they were when I was 25 but my half marathon time is down to 1:36 since my surgery and at 55 I feel good about that. I also run on all surfaces. I don't have a problem on pavement. I tend to think its not the surface that is the problem but the way I run. When I run across the ground as opposed to into the surface I find I create less stress on my body. It also seems as I go faster its less stressful. So running a 7 min pace although is more tacking aerobically it feels better when I am done. I also did no physical therapy after my surgery and I don't warm up before my runs.

A Runner Looks Back at 50 and a BHR

Approaching 50 was really no big deal for me, at least not until a routine physical exam and x-ray screening in the summer of 2007 revealed I had degenerative arthritis in my right hip. After staring at my chart for some time my physician asked how much I was running. I explained I'd competed in two ultras and a marathon in the past three months. "Maybe at your age its time you learn how to ride a bike," he dead-paned. I failed to see the humor. I had two bikes but riding was something I did when I needed a break from running.