For the observant ones in the crowd (and with a good memory, since I haven’t posted in a while), you’ll recall that I mentioned an injury in my most recent post—Half Marathon Training: Week 10. ITB Syndrome to be specific, with pain on the outside of my right knee that comes on after some period of running (usually around 1 mile).
Typically the pain progresses from slightly uncomfortable to a sharp pain. The build up from slightly uncomfortable to sharp pain is full of peaks and valleys (otherwise known as false hope), but once it hits the sharp pain level, it doesn’t go away unless I walk, and resumes almost immediately if I try to run.
Over the last 3 weeks I have been able to get in a couple of 3 and 4 mile runs, a couple of 6 mile runs, and one 7 mile run. I’ve also had runs stopped within a mile of their start. In that time, I’ve missed two tempo runs, one interval run, a number of easy runs, a 12 miler, and what would’ve been my first 13 miler. I’ve tried 2-3 days at a time of no running. I’ve tried ice, stretching (not enough evidently), cross-training, and more rest, yet the pain persists. I also went to a sports medicine doctor.
After about a week of being injured, I broke down and scheduled an appointment with a local sports medicine practice. They took an x-ray of the knee (which came back clean), and the doctor listened to all that I could tell him about the injury and my training. He did an exam, and concluded it was ITB Syndrome. He offered a cortisone injection and physical therapy. I took both.
My most recent attempt at running took place Sunday, after doing 6 miles on Saturday. I was one mile in and had to stop due to the sharp pain. I tried again on Monday, this time on the treadmill…I made it .75 mile before I had to stop because of pain so intense it felt like my knee was going to give. I’ve been cross-training for the last couple of days, and will do that one more day before trying to run again tomorrow.
Tomorrow is my third PT session. So far I’ve been poked and prodded, and my lower body has been twisted in every way imaginable. They’ve looked at my gait, and fitted me for orthotics. There is definitely something out of wack on my right side/foot—I hope to find out what it is at my next appointment. I’ve also been given a series of stretches to do daily, told not to run on a treadmill anymore (not that I did a lot of that, but evidently it isn’t good with “that” foot). Other than that, my activity is not restricted.
As of right now, the half marathon is still on the schedule (11/16/2008), but if I don’t start running some consistent miles very soon, I am afraid it isn’t going to happen for me.
Signed,
Frustrated in Texas