I spent my weekend up in Vermont running my first ever long distance relay race. Our team, NYC Running Chicks and a Few Dudes, ran the (approximately) 200 mile course in 26 hours, 29 minutes, and 53 seconds for a 16th place overall finish.
As you can imagine, I’m more than a little tired out after all that. So, this will be a quick recap, even though I could go on for pages about all the amazing people I met and cool things that I saw.
My first leg came at 5:00 Saturday evening. I had 6.7 miles, much of which was up a big hill. I took off quickly, getting the first 3 miles all under a 6:30 pace. And then the pain hit. It was incredibly sudden and incredibly intense. I tried so hard to keep running, but I just couldn’t. I ended up walking down much of the giant hill that I had ran up, getting passed a couple times in the process. It was horrible. More than anything, I felt bad about letting the team down, especially since our times were much slower that first leg than what was anticipated and we were falling to the back of the pack. My overall pace was only 8:01/mile.
I hobbled back to the van, iced the knee, then kept stretching it out for the next few hours and worrying about how the next leg would go.
At 2:00 Sunday morning, I found out. It was amazing. I started quick, thinking that my knee would probably give out again and therefore trying to make up as much time as possible before it happened. But, the pain (although it was most definitely there) wasn’t crippling this time. I’m not sure why — maybe it was the massive amount of Advil I took or maybe it was that I was already warmed up — but, in mile 4, instead of collapsing like I had the first leg, I flew down a hill with a 6:02 mile. I managed to pass 3 teams over the 5.7 miles, and finished with a 6:32 overall pace.
I iced my knee again and kept stretching, but my knee was still very sore. One of my teammates asked me just before I started how I felt. “Not good,” was my answer. And it was certainly true. As soon as I started the third leg (around 10:00 AM), the pain escalated and I was forced to walk almost immediately. I did so for about a half mile, then started jogging and eventually running again. The pain never went away, but I was able to fight through it after that first walk and ended up finishing the 5.7 miles in a 7:04 pace.
After talking with some very knowledgeable runners up there about my knee, I’m almost certain that it is an IT Band issue. And, unfortunately, it seems to be a serious one. Now that the relay is over, I am in hardcore recovery mode. I bought The Stick and a foam roller today and am going to be using those, plus doing all those fancy IT Band stretches for a long time. Additionally, I’m going to be taking at least a couple weeks off running completely. The thought of not running for two weeks makes me very sad (not to mention apprehensive), but I want to get rid of this crap so that I can start my fall marathon training solid.
Of course, that puts a pretty big delay on the training and so Chicago is no longer going to be my goal race. I just don’t have the time to get into the shape that I want to before it. So, I’ll use it as a long training run as preparation for my sub-3 hour marathon in Philly. More on that later…
I’m sure some people (my mom included) think that I shouldn’t have run this weekend on a bad knee, but I don’t regret it at all. I had one of the best weekends I’ve had in a very long time, met a bunch of really cool people, and got to get out of the city and breathe real air for a bit. I’m already looking forward to next year’s relay(s) and the chance to run them injury free.
Hey I saw you running in Vermont this weekend. I tried to get your attention, but you just ran past me. I was like, the nerve of this guy. Then I thought that maybe if I were a platypus I’d be easier to spot. Maybe next time.
don’t worry. just keep your head up and hang in there.
I had to check in and see how it went…because I kind of expected that outcome, suffering myself from the same IT crap. Congrats on putting up a strong fight, though, sounds like a fun weekend despite the ouchies (my knee aches in sympathy for those downhills you did). :-) The foam roller will be your best friend, and also start doing a couple exercises to strengthen the area, I’m convinced it’s the only way to really be done with it. Btw, cool on Philly, that’s my big race this year, too.
I had IT band syndrome back in February shortly after I started training for Cleveland. It kept me from running for about three weeks. Every time I tried to run, it felt like a bomb went off in my knee. I got myself a foam roller and a bunch of doctor-approved exercises/stretches and I managed to beat it. Every once in a while, even now, I feel it start to twinge, but there hasn’t been a repeat of the episode I had in February. It can be overcome; good luck! Oh, and I was very glad to meet you for the relay!
Oh Cowboy!! I cringe for your poor knee and IT Band. Don’t for a minute think you let the team down — in a relay, contributions to the team also take the form of being funny, pleasant, and supportive, especially in the wee wee hours of the night. You were an asset to NYCRC&AFD beyond your running, trust me!
You are smart to take time off; heal up. What do you think started the injury in the first place?
I have a LOT of experience (relative to my short running career) with ITBS. You did the right thing by getting a foam roller. There are tons of videos on youtube about using it for ITBS. The hardest part that I found is being able to keep rolling through any pain. Also, MASSAGE. Massage is one of the best things for it, however, NOTHING is a good for IT Band issues as time, so when you say you’re going to take 2 weeks off…take two weeks off.
Another thing to remember is that ITBS is often brought about by uneven surfaces and going too fast (pace). So, when you start back up, stick to the park for a couple of weeks and slow it down…a LOT. I also tried kinesiotape (http://www.kinesiotaping.com/) and while I didn’t use it during my problems, I used it as a preventative measure later and it seemed to work well (although you do have to shave the portion of your leg where you want to apply it). There is also a video about how to apply it on youtube.
Good luck! Please let me know if I can do anything!!
BW
Strengthening is a must, and be prepared to torture yourself mercilessly with the foam roller. Roll before you stretch the area, it helps.
Also, biking didn’t irritate my ITB issues when I had to take time off from running, so that’s a good way to keep your fitness up. If you’re stuck doing it in a gym though, I recommend buying a lot of books…
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I had some IT band problems this past fall. The chiro coupled with the foam roller really worked well! I also took time off from running (yes, it killed me!). I still have tightness from time to time, but overall, I know when to back off and stretch, etc.
Hope you get to feeling better!
Sounds like an incredible trip! I’m sure you had fun despite your injury. I agree. Sometimes you gotta suck it up and go. Now roll the hell out of your ITB. Recover well. I think you have plenty of time to get ready for your sub 3 attempt once you are all healed up.
RJR, the Stick is great. I am a fan of it, but forgot to bring it with me to VT. I hope recovery goes well!
If you’re feeling up for it, there’ll be a marathon in Vegas on Sun 12/6. It’s probably too close to your Philly race though.
Sounds like a fabulous race. Glad it came together. Speedy recovery to your leg.
The comments to your post have helped me with my own IT Band issues, so hat-tip to Mr. Hazel.
Yeah, I’m with your mom. But I think that had you DNFed, it would have been a completely different (and worse) experience. We lost someone in my van in RTB after 2 legs with an injury, and I know he was miserable for the rest of the trip.
So, well done, get better, view Chicago as a good training run in which you get to enjoy a big-city marathon, and show those people in Philly how it’s done.
You put in a courageous effort this weekend and you made your teammates proud. It was a pleasure meeting you this weekend and I hope your IT heals quickly.
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