Limping To The Finish Line

Have you noticed that I haven't blogged about running very much since after running the Rock N Roll San Diego Half Marathon in June?  There's a reason for that.  I've been injured.

I actually started having soreness/pain in my right leg even before that, probably sometime in May.  My right thigh was always really sore at that time and I didn't know why.  Well, now I know it's the precursor to hurting the iliotibial (IT) band on my right leg.  It's the same symptoms that Todd had last year. 

After the half marathon in June, I ran and for a while it didn't feel too bad.  I think it was some time in late July or early August, when I was on a run in Encinitas, when I felt sudden knee pain in my right leg.  That was when I knew that I have IT Band Syndrome and need to take a rest from running.  I started doing Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred DVD, and walked most days at work during lunch.  I actually started to lose fat because of the weight-bearing exercises in the DVD.  My right leg felt almost completely better by mid-October, so I started running again.  To my disappointment, my right IT band started getting really sore and stiff after running, but it seems like it was in a different spot, maybe higher up than before.  I still kept up with walking and occasionally jogging, but my leg wasn't getting any better.

So finally, this week, I called my doctor and got referred to physical therapy.  I have my first PT session tomorrow morning.  I'm excited to learn exercises and stretches to help me on the road to recovery.  I really enjoy running and it's been a downer to not be able to do it. 

I've been thinking ahead to 2011 and what goals I should aim for in my personal life.  Lots of things swishing around in my head.  I'll share them after they become more concrete in my own head.  :)