Getting better

So, as you can tell, I have not been posting. That is because I have not been running. This IT band thing has really sidelined me. For the last two months, I have been cross training; bike riding, spinning, elliptical and some swimming. I got to say that I've really enjoyed the cross-training, but I miss running. I have also been going to Physical Therapy (PT) at least once a week. My PT has me doing stretches and strengthening exercises for my hips and IT. She also has me icing my IT band at my knee with ice. Direct ice. Kinda an ice message for five minutes until its numb. Each day, like its medicine.

About 3 weeks ago, my PT cleared me to try running. She wanted me to do 2 min of running and 2 min of walking for 30min. My first time out, I got about 15min, before I had to stop. IT band pain. I was pretty discouraged. When I went back to her, and told her what happened, she asked if I tried 1 min on and 2 min off. I said no, so set off the next week to try that.

I tried the 1 min on and 2 min off.... I went the whole 30 min!! My knee ached afterward but did not hurt during the run

The next week, I did two days of 2 min on and 2 min off... I made it both days without much problem. My IT started to ache at the end, but it seemed to be ok.

Last week, I ran four days. The first two I went 3 min on and two min off. Not bad runs, my knee ached a bit after, but no real problems. The next was 4 min on and 2 off. Made it 30min with no pain!! Finally this morning I ran 5 min on and 2 min off, with running the last nine minutes with no walking. I had no knee pain!!

I feel I'm beginning to make progress, but I have to be careful not to do too much too soon. I think I'll continue running four days a week, and keep upping the time between walks. I'll also see what the PT says at my appointment tomorrow.

Maybe I'll be able to do a 1/2 this fall...... maybe