Active release technique

My it band continues to be a bother, so I am trying a new alternative...ART... Aka active release technique. I have known about this through my ironman friend and reading other blogs and quite a few people have had success in treating injuries. Another friend, who is a PT, had opinions about it and did recently bring it up as something to try.

I was able to get an appointment with the only chiropractor within 50 miles who does this. I was pleasantly surprised with his desire to figure out and treat the underlying issue instead of just the it band. After evaluation, he confirmed some things that I already knew (but didn't say)---I have a leg length difference which is most likely as a result of my pelvic twist. he believes these two things may be causing some overcompensation and I should work on my hip mobility (something Kristin would probably agree with). He was very interested in developing a training plan to work on those in addition to providing the ART I came for.

The treatment itself caused a good kind of pain and I walked away feeling good. Now, 3 hours later, my leg hurts quite a bit. he thinks 4 -6 treatments should do the trick. I am hoping he is right since I am itching to get back on the road. his credentials are quite impressive, so I hope his work with elite athletes pays off for me.

The end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012

I accomplished my 2011 goal of running 1000 miles and did it sometime around the second week in December. I didn't really think it was going to be possible, but I guess with 2 half marathons and a full marathon in the year the training miles really add up.

That was a definite plus for me in 2011. The end of the year, however, did not end so positively. After accomplishing that goal, I noticed some pain in my right knee. I thought maybe I needed some new shoes, so I got new shoes. Unfortunately, that did not help and during my Christmas morning run, I discovered that Santa had brought me a bad case of ITBand syndrome aka runner's knee. I had this a couple years back in my left knee and it extended all the way up my thigh and was most noticeable in my hip. I received physical therapy and massage treatment in order to help recover. It continued to give me problems in my hip for a good year following the initial injury.

As a result of my previous history on the other side, I am not looking forward to this recovery. It has left me sidelined from running since then and I am having a hard time staying away. I've made it to a couple of classes at the gym and tried out a few machines to still maintain some fitness, but it just isn't the same:(

I'm hoping a cautious return will work and that I'll still be able to compete in the Illinois half marathon in April and still consider Chicago in October. We shall see.