Running through IT band pain

John Banks said:

running a marathon in one-week [...] after my last hard week which
included a tough 10x800 workout and a 20-miler, I have started to
feel pain in my right IT band.

My condolences: ITBS really sucks, as does the timing of yours.

Seems that the majority of this ng has incurred an injury this last week or
two. Is Mercury retrograde or some such?

Quoted message said:

1. Best strategy for this last week; no running, moderate, etc.
2. Any quick fixes for IT band pain?
3. Assuming you can run through the pain, can you do more damage to
the band?

I can't give you more than a hunch for #1 and #3, and the hunch is that
running through the pain can in fact add to the damage. And any of the
adjectives {downhill, paved, fast} will greatly exacerbate this,
exponentially moreso when two or more of them are used in combination.

For #2, if online testimonials are to be believed, some people report
instant relief using the Patt-Strap. I can't say it did much for me, but
it's worth a shot given your time frame.

I believe the best thing for ITBS is to do anything and everything to avoid
it. Once you have it I certainly believe in stretching the hell out of it,
and strengthening exercises. And probably ice, the magical healer of
running injuries. I'd guess a week's enough time to see at least some
benefit from the stretching.

See this site: http://www.itbs.info/

Thanks for the response - and the link.

If I didn't invest so much time & energy, I'd probably opt out of the
race. However, since work, travel, and other engagements will not
allow me to run another marathon until the fall, I will probably chance
it and run with my original goal in mind (sub-3).

I will be stretching all week in an attempt to loosen the thing up as
much as possible.

I have had ITBS one other time and I seem to recall that if I was able
to stand the pain and continue for a while, the pain would begin to
subside and eventually go away - all within the course of the run. Has
anyone else experienced this? Is it common?

I'm banking on this occuring again!

I have had it come on during a marathon, but it sure never
went away, You can relieve it somewhat by running on
a camber that suits you, or uphill and walking
downhill. You'd be tougher than me of you can "run through it".

A week ago, it came back during a 12K trail race. In another week
I have a 50K scheduled which I intend to do (well, I'll be
starting for sure). I immediately implemented stretching
and strengthening. This has worked before so we'll see.
I'm following this page:

http://www.runningtimes.com/rt/articles/?id=6099

and supplementing the side leg raises with an abductor machine.
I'm also doing additional ham,quad and calf stretches.
good luck ...thehick

John Banks said:

A little background; running a marathon in one-week, just winding down
my 18-week training program, was lucky enough to get through relatively
injury free - however, after my last hard week which included a tough
10x800 workout and a 20-miler, I have started to feel pain in my right
IT band.

ITBS sucks. (I think that sums it up very nicely)

Quoted message said:

My goal in the marathon is sub-3 - and, I feel as if the training put
me in a very good position to accomplish this.

My questions;

1. Best strategy for this last week; no running, moderate, etc.
2. Any quick fixes for IT band pain?
3. Assuming you can run through the pain, can you do more damage to
the band?

I dont know if you can cause "more damage". You will certainly cause
additional pain and inflammation. I'd do loads and loads of stretching
this week, maybe some nice easy runs to stay relaxed.

You dont need to hear any horror stories of how bad it can be.....
stretch, ice and hope for the best. If your sub 3 seems out of the
question and you are in pain, stop and stretch along the course.

Lastly, this link has helped me beyond words. Once you get cleared up,
continue these stretches daily and you can stay ITBS free, for the most
part.

http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/itband.html
Iliotibial band stretch

Quoted message said:

My plan is to take some anti-inflammatories before the race, apply some
DMSO to the area (I have used before with some success), stretch the
band before hand, and hope for the best.

Come back and tell us how it went.

L

Quoted message said:

John Banks said:

A little background; running a marathon in one-week, just winding down
my 18-week training program, was lucky enough to get through relatively
injury free - however, after my last hard week which included a tough
10x800 workout and a 20-miler, I have started to feel pain in my right
IT band.

My goal in the marathon is sub-3 - and, I feel as if the training put
me in a very good position to accomplish this.

My questions;

1. Best strategy for this last week; no running, moderate, etc.
2. Any quick fixes for IT band pain?
3. Assuming you can run through the pain, can you do more damage to
the band?

My plan is to take some anti-inflammatories before the race, apply some
DMSO to the area (I have used before with some success), stretch the
band before hand, and hope for the best.

Any other advise?

I ran a marathon with IB pain. Ouch!!!!! Ended up getting a shot of
cortizone in my knee. Fixed it Quick. But did it after the marathon. It
wasn't real bad until the marathon. The week before it was sore but
would go away on a run! ??? Why ??? Anyway I would get a shot if I could
and start that stretching ASAP. I still do the stretches, but I don't
run near as much these days.

run2th

Thanks for the feedback all -

I am trying to get into the doctors office tomorrow for a cortisone
shot. However, as a backup, I have bought the knee strap, have been
stretching, stretching, and stretching some more, and have been taking
it easy.

I did go out today for a pace-run and was able to do 6 miles at a 6:26
pace - way faster than I should have run, but, hard to hold back. I
did it without taking anything before hand (anti-inflamitories) as I
wanted to feel how things were really doing, and wore the knee strap.

A little sore afterwards, but felt ok. I know that 6 miles is much
different that 26; however, this was about the best I could hope for at
this stage.

Once again, thanks for all the feeback and advice. I will post my
results once completed (VT City Marathon - this Sunday)