My hips are close to finished

I have had bad hips for a few years. I'm 44. Early arthritis. This past year they have gotten noticeably worse, particularly the left hip.

I just had x-rays (again): "Advanced Degenerative Hip Disease that is substantially worse than the last x-ray in May, 2009."

Sigh.

Even though I knew this, it's still hard to hear.

The literature is clear, running does not cause arthritis. But, I can't find any literature regarding what to do if you already have advanced arthritis. I have been referred to an orthopedic surgeon and I look forward to talking about anything that will help me over the next 14 months since I have decided to plow ahead with my original plans: Saskatchewan Marathon at the end of May to qualify for Boston, Ironman Canada at the end of August to say I did, and the Boston Marathon in 2011 as my retirement swan song.

I am not an exercise addict. I am not obsessed. But, these goals have been in development for about three years and I want to see them through. This may mean that my hip replacement comes a little earlier than it otherwise would but I don't think I am going to make 55 with the hips I have now and I can't see that four or five years makes much difference.

So... back to training.

I am the most-coached slow athlete in the world. This Sunday starts a 13 week cycle to the Saskatchewan Marathon -- time to go back to work. Bruce Craven (coach), Paul Armstrong (swim coach), and Lindsay Byers (trainer), I am counting on you guys to get me there.

On a lighter note, a lot of the big races have a course fly-through. For those of you from warmer climates, I thought you might enjoy a fly-through of the Saskatoon winter-training Ironman Bike Course.