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!