Kathy Griffin and the IT Band

Saturday was the "Celebration Run" with the AIDS Marathon Training Program. Unfortunately, it wasn't at the regular meeting place, but in the city. I went over at 7 am, when we were supposed to meet, and I could not find the team anywhere. I guess it is my own damn fault for not getting back on a distribution list for the e-mails.

So I decided to try it on my own. I know when I am training between San Francisco and the Green Mountain marathon, I will need to do it alone anyway, so I tried it out. Unfortunately, I didn't get far... actually, it was quite far, just not far enough.

I started off quite determined and confident; ready to do the "big loop" three times. First loop went fine, but the second wasn't as rewarding. Somewhere around mile 12, I started with an incredible pain in my left hip. It kinda felt like it was inside, like (i found out later) bursitis. I actually had to sit for a bit.

I kept up until mile 15 and on my way back by the house, I stopped by the Safeway, picked up a Powerade (Mountain Blast, yey!) and downed a GU. The vanilla bean flavor was incredible! After sitting for a minute, I could barely move without pain. I walked the rest of the way home.

I tried a quick soak in the tub, thinking that might help, and then got all my work out clothes back on and started out again, about an hour later. It was still painful to run, and even walking was difficult. I gave it up for the day.

As I was trying to figure out what was going on more, I realized that there was a spot - about where the IT band connects to the hip - where it was painful just to touch. Almost felt like I had hit it somehow. I seem to remember that maybe I did, but I can't remember when or how.


Even later that evening, at the Kathy Griffin show, it was still difficult to walk up the stairs. She was pretty funny, but was worried that she'd over run the curfew, and have to pay $5,000 a minute, so I think she cut off early.

After the show I went and picked up some ibuprofin, and some Ben-gay. Both seemed to help - this morning I felt no pains, and would walk and run without issue. That makes me think it was something inflamed that the ibuprofin took care of. The Ben-gay, even though it smells, was great on my shoulders, too.



So, long story short, even with all the running I HAVE done, I have only hit one 20+ miler. I think that is going to be a problem, but it is the best I can do. I am too close in I think to try to get another one in - especially since I have the Napa to Sonoma half marathon next weekend. I am pretty excited about that, actually. Will probably take it pretty slow, maybe marathon pace, doing a 4:1 split, and targeting an 11 minute mile, since I am only slated for 8 miles next weekend. a 2:23:53 half would predict me at a 5:00 full, accoring to Runner's World's race prediction.

I'll do 4 or 5 on Tuesday and Thursday, although the 9 mile loop is getting pretty easy to do. Don't want to over do it, and end up injured for the big day. Hopefully there will be no issues this week.