Hello, IT Band.

Dear Blog Readers,

What gives?? Team Kickoff has happened and still no posts about running and training for the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon. Trust me, I am probably way more sad about this than all of you are.

Instead of details about a fun trot down 10 miles of Clovis canals, or anything like that, this post is about running injuries. Hoorray!

This is your IT band. Yep, you have one, too - it's not just us runners. However, this fun little band in the body causes us runners far more trouble than it generally causes the non-runners out there. Why? Well, let me copy paste from another person's blog and tell you all about it.

First - what is the IT band? The iliotibial band is a thick, fibrous band that spans from the hip to the shin; it lends stability to the knee joint, and is attached to muscles of the thigh. People who suddenly increase their level of activity, such as runners who increase their mileage, often develop iliotibial band syndrome. Others who are prone to ITBS include individuals with mechanical problems of their gait such as people who overpronate, have leg length discrepancies, or are bow-legged.

Now, before you go laughing because you think I'm bowlegged, I am pretty sure I brought this all upon myself doing two nine or ten mile Sunday run at a nine minute pace. Not fast for you, maybe, but fast for me. Two weekends in a row of those long, speedy runs back up to Coach Ray's killer intense six-mile Saturday workouts (through Sierra Challenge Express), and I think we have a diagnosis.

So, three weeks have gone by and I've been missing my running buddies quite a bit. I've attempted getting myself into spin class, but that also seems to have caused my dear friend IT band some irritation. So, here is what my workout looks like:

Pilates - M, W, and F with a very nice group of senior citizens at GB3 since apparently no one under 60 goes to the morning class.

Yoga - attempting my first hot class with my friend Joanne at her studio, Perfect Balance Yoga, tomorrow! That's right - I don't even CARE about you, super bowl!

Stretching like nobody's business. Here is the calf stretch Barrow's Physical Therapy has recommended for me to be doing 5 times a day.

Rolling - not anything illegal. Just working this band out on the dreaded foam roller. Basically, you put your weight onto the roller and roll it up and down your IT band. Looks easy, feels like COMPLETE misery. Like grit your teeth don't hurl expletives at innocent by standers in the gym misery. It's intense.

Now, yesterday my physical therapist said running may be back in the picture soon - like maybe by next Saturday's Team in Training workout. (Which, by the way - it's not too late for you to sign up! Email me for more information about upcoming informational meetings at brittneekao@yahoo.com) But in the meantime, here is my advice for all of you runners out there:

1. A day off won't kill you - take it easy once in awhile! Missing one day's run is much better than missing three weeks with your friends, while also paying for icky PT that your crappy insurance doesn't cover. (Tangent.... sorry)

2. Don't try to be first when you're not speedy. In my blog writing research, all the IT band injury related posts say most injuries come from runners trying to be too fast on their long runs. Yes, Nichole, you are too speedy for me! I need to just admit it! =) Keep rocking girl!

3. STRETCH. Really well, after every run. I am so so bad about this, and I am so sorry now! My new training resolution is to stretch. Hardcore. After every run, and every evening. You should, too!

Ok bloggy friends, that's all I have to post for now. Hopefully this information will prove helpful to you and prevent you from being dumb like me and messing up your own IT band....

XOXOX,

Brittnee