A much needed GREAT run!

Well... I'm still dealing with my ITB issue. I have bought a foam massage roller that I spend at least 10 minutes a day 2x a day rolling back and forth on. It's VERY painful... but it seems to be working as the pain lessens each day. I also started running with an IT wrap. That too seems to be helping with the pain. I've also discovered that a little ice and Motrin does wonders ;-)

I was having a tough time with training last week. I spent the week in Lake Arrowhead, so I was training on a very hilly course. The altitude didn't make things any easier. I was able to complete a half marathon on Saturday. I had some pain, and some miles that were tougher than others... but all in all, it was a great run! There was a large hill around mile 6. Once I hiked up the hill (seemed like a mountain!), there was a great view of the city of Pasadena (the half marathon was around the Rose Bowl and neighboring hills). It was one of those moments that reminded me why I love to run. It was liberating and for the first time in a few weeks I felt really great running! It truly was a "runner's high" :) I was beginning to get very nervous with the marathon less than 2 months away... so this successful run did wonders for my spirits!

This week has started off a little slower. The half marathon went great... but it left my knee sore for a few days. I was unable to run for my entire training today. Instead, I incorporated minute walks in between runs. I was able to finish the run and will continue to treat my ITB issue. I'm confident that my knee will continue to heal and hopefully tomorrow I will be able to run the entire time. Next up... the Disneyland Half Marathon this Sunday. My family is coming down to watch me and I have a few friends running with me. It should be a good time! Let's just hope my knee holds up to the challenge!

Here is the latest update on Alyssa... she was moved from ICU to the cancer ward last week. A good sign. The family is excited for the move "..this is home for us and we can slowly get started with Alyssa's rehab, the rehab unit is on this same floor so it works out well." They are not sure what's next. It looks like they will be there for about another month. Next week Alyssa will hopefully have another MRI to see how the inflammation (swelling) of the brain is doing and an eye test (she can't see right now - a lot of the swelling is on her optic nerve). According to her grandmother, Alyssa listens to a movie and smiles when she remembers the parts, still only muttering a few words, less than 10. Again, please keep Alyssa and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

My first training obstacle...

Looks like I've hit my first bump in the road in my training toward my marathon. Last Wednesday, I had a dull pain on the lateral portion of my knee around mile 2 of my run. By mile 5, I could barely walk. I had to take it easy over the next few days... but felt good enough to run 10 miles on Saturday. The first 5 miles were okay... but the dull pain started again on the lateral side of my knee around mile 6. By mile 10, I was literally limping and the pain had radiated up to my mid thigh! I've done a ton of research and talked to my running coaches and it looks like I have Iliotibial Band Syndrome.

The iliotibial band (ITB)is actually a thick tendon-like portion of another muscle called the tensor fasciae latae. This band passes down the outside of the thigh and inserts just below the knee.

The main problem occurs when the tensor fasciae latae muscle and iliotibial band become tight. This causes the tendon to pull the knee joint out of alignment and rub against the outside of the knee, which results in inflammation and pain.

One of the main causes of knee pain associated with iliotibial band syndrome is overload. Overload is common with sports that require a lot of running or weight bearing activity. This is why ITB is commonly a runner's injury. When the tensor fasciae latae muscle and iliotibial band become fatigued and overloaded, they lose their ability to adequately stabilize the entire leg. This in-turn places stress on the knee joint, which results in pain and damage to the structures that make up the knee joint.

So now I'm faced with a day by day delima... do I run to keep up with my mileage, or rest my knee to prevent further injury. Since I'm not an "experienced runner", I feel like I have to follow the training schedule in order to make it across the finish line. My coaches have assured me that this is not the case and that I will not lose any fitness by taking a few days off. I sure hope so!!!

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for ITB issues and they won't just go away. I basically need to follow the good old RICE regime followed by lots of stretching. I've bought a foam roller to massage the ITB and an ITB wrap. I was advised not run until my 12 mile hill training this Saturday. In the meantime, my treatment includes heat, stretch, massage and ice.

My knee feels pretty good since I stopped running once the pain got bad yesterday. I was able to do about 4 miles and had to walk the final mile. I'm confident that with taking the next few days off while continuing to treat the injury... I'll be back on the road to training and completing my first marathon! In a few weeks I'll be up to 18 miles :)

I would ask you to keep my knee in your prayers... but this seems so frivolous when I think about the true heroes I'm running for. Please keep my honored teammate, Alyssa, in your prayers. She has been in the hospital for the past few weeks and has recently been diagnosed with Herpes Viral Encephalitis. It is a virus that takes a long time to treat and heal so we are in for a long road. Her chemo has been placed on hold and they are unsure when she will be strong enough to start it up again. Her breathing tube was removed on Tuesday but she is still sedated. Again, please keep little Alyssa and her family in your prayers.

Thanks so much for your continued support!

Has it been more than a week???

Okay... so the plan was to blog at least once a week. It's now August and it's been almost 2 months since my last post. So, here is the latest...

I finished working summer school the last week in July and am now officially on summer vacation. Brandon and I went white water rafting with my family while my mom and dad watched Tyler. We all had an amazing time. I have 4 more weeks off until I go back to work and am soooooo excited to spend this time with Tyler. I have so much planned for us. We're going to the zoo, aquarium, Disneyland, nature center, and spending a week at the cabin in Arrowhead. I'm loving being able to spend more time with my little man. He is 2 now and truly is a little boy (vs. a baby!). Every morning I wake up to his little voice saying "let's play Mommy"!!! Ahhh... He gives me such a purpose in life and I can't even begin to explain how complete this little person has made me feel. I thought I had everything even before having children... but he has given me such a new perspective on life! He is truly amazing and feel so blessed everyday when I wake up to his sweet voice!

Training is going well. I'm up to 12 miles on the weekend and my mid week runs are increasing as well. I'm also running the Disneyland Half-Marathon on Sunday, August 31st. By the end of the month... my long runs will increase to 16 miles. I can't believe my marathon is less than 10 weeks away. I feel good, but the thought of 26.2 miles still seems daunting. I'm following the training schedule that TNT gave me to a T... so I'm hoping I'll feel 100% prepared for my big run come October.

Some big news... I'M 30 AND I AM OVER MY FUNDRAISING GOAL!!! It feels great to be able to relax and just focus on my training. Thanks to all for your support. I couldn't do any of this without you!!!

Lastly, please keep little Alyssa in your prayers. It has been a little over a year since she was diagnosed and she is now back in the hospital. Here is the latest update from her family:

Close to midnight last night (Friday 8/01) she started having terrible seizures and prior to that was complaining "Mommy, my brain hurts". As she was being rushed away by the paramedics Alyssa started turning light blue. Due to the severe headaches the doctors decided to put Alyssa on morphine and she has been on that ever since last night.

The doctors are fearing that the seizures and severe headaches may be nasty side effects Alyssa is experiencing due to all the radiation and chemo her little body has had to endure since she was originally diagnosed last August 2007. To make sure they are currently trying to schedule an MRI to be done as well as an appointment with a neurologist.

As of tonight... the doctors still don't have any definite answers. They think it is an inflammation of the brain and fear she has West Nile Virus. She is on so much medication right now that she is basically non-responsive and can barely keep her head up. Please keep little Alyssa in your prayers.

Thanks again for all your support!!!