WOW, it’s been a busy, busy couple of weeks! Lots to report here, but I’m not a fan of
reading overly long blog posts, and I bet you aren’t, either. So I’ll keep it short(ish) and break it all
up into a few posts.
Okay?
Okay.
First…
Guess who’s back?
Hint: it’s not Slim Shady. Though
I hear he’ll be back. Too.
No, I’m talking about IT Band Syndrome (ITBS). Ever notice that I never said I had it
beat? That’s because I never believed it
was actually gone. I hoped, of course,
and I even started to think maybe I’d banished it forever… but it’s back. And… in my other leg.
My OTHER LEG!
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| Heeeeeeeere's Johnny! If my IT Band had a face, I'm pretty sure it would look like this. |
Seriously?! Yes. Same story, different leg. I’m pretty sure a combination of things
brought it on during my last long run of 11 miles – increased mileage (can’t be
helped), with prolonged time on one side of our super-slanty sidewalks (should’ve
run a more flat, even route), in new shoes (still love ‘em, but they are a little different than what I’m
used to), and compensation for my mostly-but-not-completely-healed knee
sprain. Too much.
So, here I am again, hoping for a miracle so I can run the
upcoming Tower of Terror 10-Miler. In
less than three weeks.
I’m seeing the Miracle Worker (aka my chiropractor).
I’m foam rolling like a boss.
I’m stretching.
I’m reducing mileage after a week off entirely.
I’m strength training.
And…
I’m using this bad boy:
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| Get your mind out of the gutter, PRONTO! |
Oh yeah. Why in
precious heck doesn’t anyone recommend a personal deep tissue massager for ITBS, tight
glutes, shin splints, etc.?! The Miracle
Worker uses one on me to stretch the IT Band and I believe it’s the #1 thing
that aided my recovery last time around.
But I can’t afford to visit the Miracle Worker every day.
I found my Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Therapeutic Massager
on Amazon for $32.55, paid for with American Express reward points. Boo-freaking-ya. This thing is amazing – I’m smoothing out
knots and adhesions, I’m stretching my IT Bands, and when I’m done, I’m giving
my shoulders some much needed kneading.
How many thumbs up? A solid TWO. I’d give more, but that’s all I’ve got.
