Feeling Better

Here's where I did my run today:


I'm feeling much less frustrated now, because I had a decent run today.

After emailing with my coach, we decided that it would be best if I didn't go to practice to run with the team this weekend. It's a recovery week, so we were going to be running "only 10 miles." Now at this point, I'm used to running 10 miles. That doesn't scare me anymore, but I was a little concerned about the pain popping up again.

The run was going to be loops of Prospect Park. The park has a banked surface, which isn't so great for people with IT Band problems (me). Since I'm trying to be as kind to my IT Band as possible, we decided that a gym workout would be better for me today.

I've been working late every night this week, so it was kind of nice to not have to be in Brooklyn by 8:30am today. I woke up naturally (without an alarm clock), had some breakfast, and went to the NYU gym.

We decided that I would do 90-100 minutes of activity, and I shouldn't run for all of it. So, I got on the stationary bike for 50 minutes. Then I changed into my outdoor running gear and went up to the track on the roof. The roof track is a softer surface than the pavement, and less boring than the treadmill!

I ran up there for 50 minutes, and I didn't even try to count how many loops I did. The track is about 1/6 of a mile. I'm guessing I did a little over 5 miles. I didn't run slowly, because slower running irritates the IT Band more than fast running does.

And...

I feel fine. No pain. Normally I start to feel at least a twinge by mile 4, and I didn't feel anything today. Walking down stairs is not a problem, like it has been for the last few weeks.

I don't think I am magically cured, but I guess the things I have been doing are helping. I've been trying everything, so there are too many variables to narrow down what works and what doesn't. I've been resting, icing 3-4 times a day, taking advil, and using my foam roller.

During the run, I wore one of those IT Straps (neoprene strap that goes around your leg above the knee), and I put new stability inserts in my shoes to keep my right foot from rolling in too much.

Even though I felt ok, I still iced the side of my knee when I got home.

Fingers crossed that it stays feeling good!