Each Day Is a Gift

Smooth,

I am a little confused by your blog entry? Are you in pain? Is something wrong with ITBS? Please feel goog! How many marathons will you have ran coutning this Ogden? You are amazing!

Bec,

I have been limping around all weekend. Have never had any IT issue so I didn't know what it was. The first time I felt it was the night of Boston, just laying in bed. It went away the next day. I felt it again last week after my interval workout on Tue and the tempo run on Thur. I ran the 12 miler on Sat. with pain getting worse on the downhill. Now I'm debating whether to run Ogden or not. Ogden would have been my 14th. My gut feeling tells me to sit out Ogden and even Utah Valley. I might be able to do WBR. What to do?

NO! NO! NO! Smooth, get to the DOC! It sounds like all of the injuries are starting to occur with all of us now. Ice it, go swimming, stretch! Take care of it now. If you need to skip out on Ogden, I think that is okay. Listen to your body. Oh stink, I am so mad! Please be careful.

I'm so sad to hear about your injury :( but if anyone can overcome this challenge it's you!!!!!

Smooth, I hope this ITB problem gets better soon. You know the drill, light stretching, rolling, and rest. It can become a pretty nagging injury. That is what kept AlisaK down for so long. My old self would say a DNF is better than a DNS, but now that I'm battling an injury, I think I have changed my mind.

My experience with ITBS is that it hurts on the outside of the knee. I don't know from your description where you knee hurts, but assume that is the case. Unfortunately, a bad case of ITBS can really set you back so you have a terrible dilemma. If it is ITBS, I've had good luck using a foam roller, and stretching. There are also some specific exercises you can do.

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=3528

http://runningtimes.com/rt/articles/?id=6099

http://www.anaerobic.net/runnersguide.html

I'm with Rhett on this one. A DNS is much better than a DNF. Teena would know, she had to DNF at the Moab Half. It wouldn't make any sense to run with so much pain, but you have a lot of support here, so whatever you decide to do, we're behind you.

MrsFIT

I'm bummed. But I'm okay with it. There are worst thing than an ITBS.

Rhett,

Never had this before. I guess I'm a real runner now.

RPaul,

THANKS so much for the links. They are very helpful. Yes, that's what I have...pain on the outside of my left knee. The symptoms, extrinsic and intrinc factors all fit. I'm gonna follow the stretch and strength training exercises in the articles. I may have to pick up pool running like Teena. THANKS for your help.

Dale,

Thanks. That's my first thought...poor Teena...how in the world could she bear that, the pain of running, the pain of not running. She's experienced them all DNS and DNF. I'm definitely not as brave as Rhett who ran a courageous Boston with torn tendon and as tenacious as Teena who is ever so positive and keeps on keeping.

Thanks for your kind words and support. I will make it through. The decision is hard; but I think once I have a plan of action I will be able to tackle it. But it has to be an intelligent decision; not an emotional one.

Hey Mom,

Those articles posted by Riverton are very good. They correlate well with what I was trying to relate to you last night. I did fail to address the phases of treatment...I followed those with my own IT problems with success. The pictures of the various stretching and strengthening techiniques are worth a thousand words...far better than one can explain over the phone.

I am sorry to hear this bad news, I sure hope you can get it under control, but you are one smart girl and will do the right thing for you! I am sending all the positive energy your way that I can muster up!!! RECOVER SOON!!!! I am glad Paul and Eric are giving you good advice!! In the mean time, enjoy some R and R!!!

(((Smooth)))

I don't have any good answers for you because I am sitting here with my butt hurting wondering the exact same thing.

Only you can judge what kind of pain you are in.

Eric,

Dad's last words as he pulled out of the garage was: NO RUNNING! Well, I can't even walk normal, how in the world can I run? Those are great articles. I'm glad there's a plan. I just need to be patient.

Leslie,

Thanks for sending positive vibes my way. I need it. I was getting so excited for a third Grand Slam. I guess it's not to be. I just hope I can heal fast enough to train for SGM.

No running Smooth until that IT is feeling better. Take a break for a few weeks, it helps clear your mind about running.

Bec,

I hope you're right about clearing my mind about running. Right now my mind is going crazy! How's your doc. visit?

Smooth, if your IT is STILL bothering you bad enough to 'limp' around today after the 12 on Saturday my suggestion would be to not run Ogden. The downhill and length will NOT be good, I'm sorry, but I'm worried about mine and haven't had pain for a while. I just anticipate the pain :) Take care and just recover!!

Smoothi!!!

Okay ... planning time. Sit out Ogden (DNFs are heartbreaking ... seriously). I want to get together with you and show you some myofacial release stuff that will hurt but help. Ask Eric what he thinks about that. Don't want to do anything that he disagrees with. Also, I used a foam roller for quite some time ... it helped. You can borrow mine. Are you positive that it is ITBS? We need to talk.

(my biggest concern is that if you run Ogden in pain that you will make things a ton worse and possibly ruin your whole running season ... this is not an option ... let's get on this)

LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL

Or ... plan B:

Ry and President can commit both of us to the same psychiatric facility.

:)

(Ry is watching me type this and said, "yeah ... i think that's a good idea. What a pill!)

I'm pretty positive it's my IT. Now whether it's just tight or inflamed or torn, I don't know. I think it's just tight. Eric talked to me about osteo myofacial manipulation last night. I have to have someone do it on the enter length of the ITB using a twisting motion with a fist.

I am leaning towards NOT running Ogden. There's nothing to gain. And like you say it may ruin the whole season. You know how I feel about running with pain. I'm a big wimp. LLL

Plan B! :) :) :) almost happend! Prez Smooth was looking for some kind of restraining device this morning.

Yep ... that's what Matt was doing on me when my IT band was hurting since I was compensating due to my sf.

He also dug in deep sometimes and just very slowly slid down the entire band. OUCH!!! I want to cry just thinking about it.

(Ry laughed the whole time!!! Far more than a grimace too!!)

btw, I could do it for you.

When's your next available appointment, Ms COOL PT?

Smooth, i am so sorry! STRETCH and run slow. It worked for me, but it took a few months. I can teach you the funny run with the peg leg?!?

Smooth,

I'm here whenever you need me. :)

Can't make any promises, but it's definitely worth a try. :)

Kelli, a few months? Like how many? I want to race SGM. Peg leg? Is that like straight leg pendulum with one leg? Yikes! I'm not that co-ordinated! :)

Teena, I'm leaving for DesMoines next Mon. so it will have to be this week.:)

Mine got really bad about 2 weeks after St George. I took a few weeks off, then I just ran slow. You ran with me a few times. i had the peg leg run down, and you only have to do it for a few minutes until the pain goes away. But I was feeling really good by mid-december with all of the stretching and slow running and staying away from downhill as much as possible. So, yes, I think you will be great in a few months. Maybe even sooner. I ran with a ton of pain for about 3 weeks before it finally hobbled me, making the recovery worse!

K, Kelli, sounds like no running, stretch and resume running slow? The no running is gonna be HARD!

You just tell me when.

Thursday is really bad for me since I have RS obligations. But other than that I can switch things around. So just name the day and time! :)

NOOOOOO!!! You cant be injured!!! That is horrible news. I know you can handle it. But still very horrible news to hear. I sure hope you can figure out this and be back on the road soon. And to find out your in SG and then that your injured man oh man.:(

I did not do the NO running thing for very long! And I cross trained the entire time, running was the only thing that bothered it!

Oh crud, Smooth! Heal baby, HEAL!! You are very smart to pull out of Ogden. down time is essential(from what I have read) to keep us nut-so's healthy ;D Try to find any way you can to enjoy your down time. It's time to watch Polly Anna and play the Glad Game. (Seriously- go check it out from the library or Blockbuster). My mom once asked my sister, "So who shot your Polly Anna?" There is always good and happiness to be found in every situation :) (((((hugs)))))

Teena,

How's Livvy doing?

Thur is bad for me too, I have meetings in the morning and night and eye doc. appt in the afternoon. How about tomorrow? Are you pool running tomorrow? I can come Wed if that's better.

Kelli,

I need to learn some X-training stuff.

Marion,

My original plan was run Ogden; then no running. for two weeks when I get out of state to see my brand new grand-daughter and sons and daughter-in-law. So I'm good with that. Now I just need to figure what to do with Utah Valley and WBRelay. Why did I sign up for so many races?

Mark,

Now I can empathize with those who get injured and can't run. I'm just glad it's not before Boston. The Grand Slam was just going to be for fun and long training run. My goal is still to do well at SGM which I got in thru completing the runner series. I just hope the IT heal in time to train for SGM.

Rachel,

You were so helpful on our 12 miler showing me the stretches. I really appreciate that. It's too bad I don't get to be in your first marathon. I'll have to get the joy thru your race vicariously. You will do awesome.

Smooth,

Livvy is doing well ... she is one tough cookie and so stinkin' funny on drugs!! In fact, at the hospital about 20 minutes after they gave her the medicine to help relax her ... verset (or something like that, she looks at Ryan and says, "Daddy, when did you get three eyes?" She just had us rolling with her comments. There was a good dozen or so!! :)

Okay ... yes I am pool running in the morning. What time to you want to come over?

AND ... Ry just committed to one of the charities the required donation for a slot for me in SGM. Can you believe it? I am far too spoiled. I almost feel guilty. But it is a great cause ... so that is good! :)

Teena,

So glad to hear Livvy is doing well. FUNNY GIRL and one TOUGH COOKIE like her mom!

I have no doubt Ry would get you a charity slot. He jinxed it and owed you afterall. What a sweetheart!

OK, how about 10am? Call me if you need to tend to Livvy or if something comes up. THANKS a million. LOVE YOU!

10 a.m. sounds perfect!! I will call if Livvy is not doing well.

I'm just about to jump on the treadmill to do a celebratory run. I will keep it short and slow!!

I love you!! Can't wait to see you in the morning.

Hey Smooth..I'm very sorry to hear about your ITB issue. DNS is probably the smart move for Ogden. It looks like I'll be seeing you at St George in October!!! (and this ITB will be a distant memory, and some other ache or pain will probably be in its place :)

Teena,

I'm walking normal. I wanted to go for a test run. Larry forbade me. Before he left for work, he made me look him in the eyes and promise NOT running today. AAAGGHH, Wendy, Beth and Mary are at my door right now to go run with them. STINK!!!

Marc,

If I have to choose between "Luck" or "Smart". I better choose smart. Bite your tongue on "other aches or pains". I'm a wimp...I DON'T like pain.

Glad your being smart Smooth!! I will miss you tons...you were my pacing lady for the marathon :) I'll have to get Lowell's number from you so I can catch him and his group at Ogden and hopefully pull through it without you :(

Smooth! Wow I miss a big day on your blog. I am sorry that you are hurt. I didn't read the whole blog but I am sure you will make the right decision. Talk to AlisaK I think this is what she went though last year!

Rachel,

I will PM Lowell's number to you and yours to him if you'd like. He is shooting for 3:45; but I think Bret whom he mentioned to you is going for BQ and a good match to you.

Trust me, you don't want me to pace you. You are too fast and way better than me. THANKS for thinking I could though.

Kathie,

Thanks. I will PM AlisaK. I need to be smarter...but it's so hard.

Way feeling bad for you Smooth!! So have you tried the squatting position with your leg crossed over your knee which really stretches the IT. I assume you use heat before massage then ice afterwards? Rest 2 to three days completely. IT band happens from overuse. The Boston Marathon (or any marathon) causes small tears in the muscles/ligaments the if one takes a good rest week of no running afterwards this allows the tears to heal. It is a hard thing to do and good for me that after SGM I had a huge blister on my ankle from rubbing wet socks that I couldn't run for a week. This helped immensely absolutely no muscle pain or injury. But what is done is done but I do believe you can pull out of this sooner than you think. Take those days off. Do your most cut off taper you have ever done and see what happens. Eat well and zone out for a while friend. I even tried magnet therapy one time- a non believer- cause mine hurt so bad before TOU 1999 and miraculously it didn't hurt so bad in the marathon, I did hit a wall though from lack of good long runs.

Julie, THANKS for your kind words and encouragement. I think that's what did me in. I thought I was recovering so well after Boston. No soreness the following week, so I jumped right back into training. Last week I did Tempo on Mon. 10 x 400 m on Tue. Recovery run on Wed. 3 X 2000 m on Thur. 12 miler at marathon pace on Sat. I felt the pain the day after each of those workout and thought it was normal ache from training. On Sat. the pain wasn't even bad until I hit the downhill. Now, I'm afraid I need to back out of Ogden so I can let the ITB heal. I've never had this before and I hope it heals fast. I'm determined to rehab it right. I just need to be smart and be patient. Thanks again. GOOD LUCK to you at Ogden.

Smooth - I took the entire week off after my IT Band injury and during that week got a deep massage from Leslie, did the anti inflammatories, rolling, stretching and ice.

The next week I started running easy on FLAT (or relatively flat) trails only with the compression strap and stopping at the point I felt any pain. When I had a similar injury years ago the doctor said to stay away from hills until the aggravation is completely gone.

Maurine,

That's good to hear. OK, I will stay off running this whole week. Next week I'm gonna be in Iowa and I hope my son will work on my ITB. There's zero hill in Iowa, I will run slowly there. May be I can still do Utah Valley and complete the Slam. Especially if Teena's gonna do TOU, I'll have to do TOU. What about you? Are you going ahead with Ogden? I'm going over to your blog right now.

Smooth - my answer is 'I don't know.'

Just went to the chiropractor again. It appears to be healing - but I am having pain in a different area today (actually - it is in the hamstring where this originally started). I have until Friday to make a decision. I won't run it at all if there is a chance I will be hurt during it. If I miss it - I might do TOU to get into St. George. If not - I'll pout and throw a hissy fit - but live to run another day.

Maurine ~ O'mgoodnes! you got another pain to worry about now? How do you know that there's a chance you will be hurt if you do decide to run Ogden? You must know your body so well. I, on the other hand, get mad at my body when it doesn't listen to me.

I have this conversation in my brain. There are three scenarios:

1) DNS and go cheer my friends at the Finish line. I don't think I can do it! I don't think I can bear the sight of people running a marathon and not have a major breakdown on the spot. I can't even bear watching people run by my house without going into a spazz. Hubby said if I choose this option; he might as well reserve a room with a view at the Psychiatric facility right now. He knows me too well.

2) DNS ~ One side of the brain says: "it's the smart choice". The other side of the brain says: "you wimp, you won't know until you at least try".

3) DNF ~ It will be heartbreaking, painful, feel so stupid, puts the injury further back. But then at least I can say I tried.

4) Wait till Friday to see how the knee feels and make the decision. AAAGGGHHH

I'm already having a hissy fit - hope I survive my own brain-talking for another day!

Oh Smoothie...Whatever you decide, we will understand and support you. I, for one, would love to see you at the finish line.