Testing the knee. I iced yesterday after running and used all of my massage tools to try to isolate tight spots around the knee. The IT band didn't feel much tighter than ususal. I do have a tender spot right on the outside of the knee, which can occur with ITBS. I also took two advil. On the run, the knee didn't talk to me at all for the first four miles, but then I heard the thing start whispering as I climbed up from 1500 E. to 900 S. When I started to descend through Federal Heights, I could hear it loud and clear. It's the increased discomfort on the downhill that continues to make me think it's IT. I did some 3-5 minute surges during the run and the pain didn't increase with the increased pace. Well, at least the pain in the left knee is making me forget about the pain in my left ankle--which seems to be improving. These are kind of surprising developments; I haven't' had any big spikes in mileage and I haven't changed the terrain I've been running on. Perhaps its time to get refitted with a new orthotic, as I stopped wearing mine several months ago when the felt like they had broken down too much. I had started using PowerStep insoles after that for a long time and I liked them, but they weren't so good on the instep of my right foot. For the last several weeks I have been using the insoles that come with my shoes; Asics Kayano--the model of shoe I have been wearing for 9 years. However: This article says studies show biomechanics may not be a major factor. Interesting.
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