General Discussion Introduce Yourself!!! » One Sprint, Next up Olympic Rss Feed  
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2024-08-22 7:49 AM

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Subject: One Sprint, Next up Olympic
Hi everyone. I am 39 and currently live in a mix of Montana and Arizona. I finished a sprint triathlon back in February and am eying an Olympic in March. Looking forward to learning more about different training programs and other people's approaches and goals.

The thing I'm most concerned about my abilities for is running. I ran a half marathon MANY YEARS ago, I took about 10 years off due to what I thought was a knee completely incompatible with running, but after some rehab I am back and now the thing stopping me from hitting my distance goals are my IT bands. I'm yet to eclipse 4 miles. Can't these dang things just be removed?? If anyone has any tips that worked for them I'm all ears. I've tried.......a lot. But maybe I haven't been consistent enough.


2024-08-22 8:15 AM
in reply to: Alecia

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Subject: RE: One Sprint, Next up Olympic

Welcome, Alecia.  Ugh those IT bands.  Other than foam rolling, hip exercises, and yoga poses like pigeon I don't have much there.  Glad you're able to run again - I was also told my an ortho my running days were over like 13 years ago and while I'm not running any half marys again, I'm still at it.  Good luck!

2024-08-22 2:58 PM
in reply to: Alecia

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Subject: RE: One Sprint, Next up Olympic

Welcome aboard. 

IT band issues affect a lot of people.  I never suffered much. 

When do you stretch?  How much do you stretch and are you doing IT specific stretches?  People often make the mistake of stretching before running.  Make sure you do a LOT of stretching after you run, when your muscles are warm. 

Are you wearing the right shoes for your gait?  If you haven't, go to a store that specializes in running.  They should be able to watch you run (even a little) and guide you towards the right shoe design.  Back when I ran a lot, I'd go through 4 pairs/year and usually had 3 pairs in rotation.  I was lucky enough to get by running in just about anything (Reebok, NewBalance, Adidas, Saucony, Asics) and the variation probably helped keep me from building a pronounced muscle memory which can contribute to IT band pain. 

Have you tried trail running?  Softer impact (usually) and varied terrain to help keep things stretched out.  Your IT issues may be aggravated by other tightness in your legs. 

2024-09-04 1:20 PM
in reply to: McFuzz

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Subject: RE: One Sprint, Next up Olympic
I usually run after walking my dogs a couple miles, so I'll do some light rolling before I set off to run. I am an avid hiker and a youtube hike guy I really like suggested using a tennis ball to release glute muscles to help, and that does seem to make a difference in addition to rolling hip flexors. Hiking downhill has also been a big problem which is what turned me onto that idea.

So then I stretch after running, and also try and do (at least a few days a week) a big stretch after hot tubbing at night.

I am not sure on the shoes, I wear Hokas. My massage therapist told me I pronate one foot and mildly supinate the other, lol, so I know I'm a bit of a mess and that is likely where the whole problem comes from (that and sitting at a desk all day, ugh). I try and incorporate some different exercises to address the foot issues and have shoe inserts. A trip to the running store to get an official opinion is probably in order.

I have not really tried trail running! That is an intriguing idea. I recently got some Hoka trailrunners that I really like for hiking, I will give that a whirl.

Thank you for the reply!

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