Update

Well, it's been 20 days since I blogged here. I suppose an explanation is warranted!

I ended up making an appointment to see the physical therapist I saw last November. I also decided to take a break from running, just walking instead, to let my IT band area heal.

I ended up cancelling the PT appointment due to a sick kid, but I decided not to reschedule. I think with just walking, there is a good chance that time will heal this injury. I'm taking the wait-and-see approach right now, hoping I don't have to go back to the doctor, but open to that if necessary.

I've been walking two to three times a week the last few weeks. It's going pretty well. I feel like my leg is gradually improving, but it's definitely gradual. I'm hoping after a few more weeks, things will be much better.

Run #250

Started with .3 miles walking. Then 1.7 miles of 2 minute run/1 minute walk intervals.Then knee was feeling a little achy so I walked the last mile. This is run #250 for me, and I said if my IT band wasn't doing well by now, I'd go back and get help. I'm not sure...it's getting BETTER but not doing WELL yet. Just not sure what to do.

Edited to add...Decided to call the chiropractor. I'll pick up the phone when their office opens. We have plenty of money in our health savings account and I'm ready to spend some of it trying to get this worked out.

3.07 miles, 39:04 (12:43/mile)

Run #249

Walked for most of the first half, and then realized I needed to go a little faster to get home in time for hubs to leave for work! So I started alternating sprint intervals & walking. My leg feels good when I'm sprinting. Overall my IT band was just feeling a little off today, and I think all the walking with a bit of sprinting was a good combo. (When I tried to run more slowly my IT band quickly got that "barely achy" feeling so I stopped.)

After my next run I'll determine whether or not to check out that chiropractor my friend has been telling me about.

I'm considering this a run even though I walked for so much of it. I figure I got training and cardio benefits from the sprint intervals.

2.8 miles, 37:30 (13:23/mile)

Run #248

I'm back to running...but using an incredibly conservative IT band recovery plan which involves plenty of walking. It seems to be working.

I started with a 1 mile walk, then switched to my normal 4 minute run/1 minute walk strategy for 20 minutes. I felt a little tightness and stopped so it didn't turn into pain. I walked another mile or so, then ran for the last 6 minutes.

My leg feels great. It's hard to embrace walking, but I need to--for now, at least. It seems to be a very good way to get in some miles while still letting my leg recover. I look forward to the day when I don't have to be so careful though!

4.21 miles, 1:00:37 (14:23/mile)

A nice walk

Well, my leg CONTINUED to hurt all week--I haven't run since last Thursday. I decided it's silly to just stay home; I'll walk instead of running while this is healing. Being on my feet (not running) seems to help me get better.... I was doing great after 10 1/2 miles at Relay for Life! So I think walking is an excellent recovery option.

I have a new running partner--excited about that! Well, for now she's a walking partner.... She doesn't mind walking once a week, as past foot surgery has left her limited on how much she can run anyway. So we did a nice walk. I got my exercise in, felt like my leg loosened up, and enjoyed a nice morning.

A friend has told me about great success she had at a chiropractor for her ITBS. I've been hesitant to go back for more work on it because with our health insurance, doctor visit costs add up very fast (high deductible.) But I plan to try to run again when this is definitely feeling good, and if it's not really doing well by Run #250 I'll probably try her doctor.

3 miles(ish), 50 minutes(ish)

Run #247

I joined up with a local group to run, but my IT band cramped up and I had to drop back and walk for most of the last half. Always hard to know what causes that, but I know one thing--I need my walk breaks. They let me alternate what muscle groups I'm using. No more running without walk breaks until I'm totally past this.

Frustrating when I thought I was mostly past this....

4.37 miles, 1:03 (14:24/mile)

Run #246

Hooray, a medium-ish distance run! It's so nice to be able to do that again. I will say, this run just didn't feel great today. Humid, not enough energy, legs kinda achy for whatever reason. But my IT band did quite well. Tightened a bit but no pain at all. Some runs just aren't that easy, and that's okay.

I did a blog post on my main blog with an update on my barefoot running...well, really, my lack thereof. I've embraced minimalism at this point, and it seems to be the right place for me. The post explains more, and includes a call for all runners to hold hands under a rainbow, unified by drinking Coke. Or something like that.

4.72 miles, 51:42 (10:57/mile)