Delays and Detours

My running path took a few detours over the past couple months so my plans fell off track but now are going in the right direction.

In August I started feeling pain in my right knee mainly after I finished a run but it became persistent and even began bothering me when I was on my feet more just walking. I spent two and a half weeks doing worthless treatments in my regular doctor's office which was a waste of time and money. During those two and a half weeks I did not run or play tennis at the doc's recommendation. Finally I got a referral to see an Ortho doc who gave me my diagnosis - IT Band tightness. What a relief knowing what it was, plus the new doc said I could run and I could play tennis. My training for the October half was too behind from the time off so I had to scratch that off my list, but I still have time to work towards November in Philly.

I'm seeing a physical therapist twice a week and doing stretches and exercises targeted at strengthening my core every day. Everything is working and while I still have work to do the pain is not as bothersome and my runs have gotten better.

I ran a 5-mile race on Saturday, actually 5.3 miles, and it went well. My pace is about 1 minute slower than it was last year but I expected that becausee I've gotten more focused on distances, plus have a couple extra pounds right now. Overall I felt pretty good about it and feel like the next few weekends my long runs will really be great. I need to add 1-2 miles each week to my long runs so that I'm up to 9 or 10 miles on 11/15 or 11/16. That's four weeks so I think I'm in a good place.

I've got runs planned for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and either Saturday or Sunday this week. I feel good about this week.