Help!!

Ok-- As I told you in my last post-- I had a bout with ITBS. I have taken the past week off. It feels better but I am soo afraid to push it.

I HAVE to pick up marathon training soon-- I have finished all of my long runs but at this point worried about losing my fitness level-- any idea how long it takes to lose, pace/speed/etc?

I.T.B.S.

It really stands for:

I: Illio
T: Tibial
B: Band
S: Syndrome

It SHOULD stand for

I: I
T: Think it's
B: Bull
S: Shit

The pain started a couple of weeks ago and then really got bad during last Saturday's long run-- since then it's on and off.

For those who don't know, ITBS is a common knee injury amoung us runners-- and thankfully not terribly serious-- but the pain can be awful.

Last Saturday at mile 15 it really hurt-- Although tempted, I did not stop and thanks to the snow we had last weekend I had an instant ice pack after the 20 miles--I just knelt down into a pile and kept my knee "frozen" for 10 minutes. I have a physical therapist as a friend who told me I need to keep it iced, compressed, and get some (the word we all hate) rest! I took Sunday and Monday off- but picked it back up--- running 4 miles Tuesday, 4 today (weds). It's going well-- it REALLY hurts when I have to climb stairs though !

I should count my blessings. Another runner in our group had to stop at mile 15-- his foot soo bad he could not continue. I volunteered to run ahead, get my car, and pick him up.

Anyone else had a bout with ITBS? Advice? marathon is less than a month away-- I want to play it smart but also want to continue training.

I survived!

Pheeeeew! The party is over. Normally that statement brings me a bit of sadness but not this week!

My Ugly Sweater Fundraising Party is done. Complete. Finito! It was a great time and the best part??? I reached my fundraising goal for Roswell Park Cancer Institute-- and then some! Here's a look at my sweater?? What do you think?


I decided to go "homemade" because I just could not find an ugly enough sweater befitting the host!

Now I can focus no my training-- which, by the way-- in spite of a VERY stressful week of planning for that party-- is going VERY well.

I am logging 45 miles per week, will run my second 20 miler this week. I ran with my group last saturday (the morning before party) and we ran 17 in 2:37! The training coach for Roswell, who is a running machine, was quite happy. I was hoping to qualify for Boston but will settle with a 3:30+. This race is really about enjoying the experience!

Here are some more pictures of last Staurday's party!





SOME OF THE RAFFLE ITEMS



PEOPLE HOPING TO WIN RAFFLE


BAND





and finally.......


After the party-- when I could finally get my drink on!!