If At First You Don't Succeed...

After aborting this week's scheduled 18-mile run due to IT band issues this past Tuesday, I was basically planning to shut down my marathon training for the week. However, having spent a fair amount of time using my new foam roller the past few days and getting in a half an hour on the StairMaster yesterday, my IT band was starting to feel much better. Thus, I decided to try to complete the 18-miler on the treadmill at my gym this morning, reasoning I could always cut it short again if my IT band started to act up.

The first several miles of the run were completely discomfort free, which was extremely encouraging. I definitely felt a bit of pain in my IT band for a few miles toward the middle of the run, but it was nothing serious and almost completely subsided within a half hour or so. By the end of the run my IT band actually felt perfectly fine--and more importantly, I knocked out the 18-miler after all! I am super excited right now--one more long run (my 20-miler), and my taper begins! Needless to say I will be doing some serious foam rolling between now and the marathon--especially given how well it worked for me the past few days!

Me Against The IT



Wow, two blog posts in one day--aren't you readers lucky:) Anyway, the reason I am writing again is I have decided rather than wallowing in my sorrows, I am going to attack this IT band issue head on. In addition to my upcoming physical therapy regimen, I picked up a foam roller this morning. I called a great running store in Columbus Circle and they recommended The Grid Revolutionary Foam Roller (see the picture above), which I have already begun to use in my office. Obviously it is too early to provide any kind of product review, but I do know runners swear by foam rollers, and at this point I am willing to try just about anything. I can assure you one way or another I will be on that starting line October 27th--I would just prefer to get there without my body being all jacked up...