Throughout the years of my training for various things, I've had creaks and aches and pains, and those have definitely increased as I age. But this ache is a little different and is a little confounding because I can't quite diagnose it myself.
The symptoms: upper left leg stiffens up and gets painful on the outsite (IT band area) when I'm sitting for long periods of time, and then is painful to walk or run on. But it doesn't feel like a muscle strain, pull or tear. It almost feels like a circulatory issue, but whatever it is, it has hampered my last two training efforts, and it is frustrating the hell out of me.
I'm very lucky as to be very unfamiliar with the injury bug. So I'm not quite sure what to do with this turn of events. I want to keep training; after all, I have a schedule to stick to. On the other hand, I don't want to aggravate an injury that keeps me from my longer term goal. And I HATE going to the doctor, so that will probably be a last resort. I'm going to take the next 5 days off and rest my body, and hopefully that will solve the issue. I guess this is where I'm hoping this blog becomes a dialogue. Anyone know what's going on with my leg? Any and all comments and advice are appreciated.
Before I sidelined myself, I started 2011 off right and did the Resolution Run on 1/1/11. This is me with my friend Mea waiting to start the race. I did not, however, do the Polar Dip portion. It was 25 degrees outside already. Submerging myself in an ice cold lake didn't really appeal to me at that point. But you'll see in this picture hundreds of people who did.
Next blog: Recovering from injury and adding miles.
hey linda ~~~
ReplyDeleteinjury ALWAYS sucks.... especially when you have a GOAL and a training plan! your description sounds like it band though. use a foam roller!!! use it very gently in the beginning and the more pain tolerant you get use it with more force. try to slowly stretch ~~~~ DO NOT OVERDUE THE STRETCHING!!! go by your gut feeling and use common sense here. To not loose your fitness level, i HIGHLY recommend deep water aerobics!
i most always cured any of my injuries with deep water aerobics @greenlake pool. yes, you will hang there with a lot of over 60 folks, but that is only because younger peeps don't necessary see the brilliant benefits of that form of exercise ~ it seems so uncool to do!!! and for about $5/hour you can't beat any gym membership or doctor's bill!!
good luck & a quick recovery!!!
~ aune
Thanks Aune. I think I have to suck it up and use the foam roller, torture device that it is. Everyone has been recommending that, and I used one at the gym tonight, and it already feels better. I was able to log 20 minutes on the treadmill, so hopefully it's just stiffness and more stretching needed (but not too much).
ReplyDeleteHey Linda,
ReplyDeleteThe trouble I had with my knee during the half iron man was the IT band, or another name for the injury is "runner's knee". The Foam roller is the best but if it persists let me know. My knee is feeling a lot better since I went to see this Dr. I would recommend him if you still have problems but hopefully the foam roller will be the answer.