I'm starting to think it is impossible for me to run without injuries. But, I love running too much to give it up... It's my drug of choice. Besides, it's really the only way I can get out - with being unable to drive and whatnot. I guess if I'm going to do something that may or may not have negative consequences, I'll take running. Besides, it's not that bad... I usually give it a rest before it gets REALLY bad (unlike back in my marathon team days when I didn't even know what a chronic injury was because I never had one, so I just COMPLETELY ignored it and kept running six days a week). Anyway, I did a long run on Saturday (did I all ready post about that?) and a recovery run/walk on Sunday that was like 3.1 miles, then I took Monday off. I decided I was going to run fast'ish on Tuesday. BAM. Extra knee pain, despite the fact that I've been good about my physical therapy exercises/stretches and have awesome prescription strength anti inflammatory creams and whatnot (that ARE helping, by the way). I think I've figured out that running fast is the worst for my knee, and I can't really figure out why... Maybe because I lift my legs higher when I run faster? I don't know. But I've noticed my knee always hurts the worst not after long runs, but after races or workouts where I'm running fast (last time it sparked was after a 5K run where I actually set a personal best, ah!) So maybe I should cut out all speed work? But it's so hard! I LIKE running fast sometimes, just like I LIKE racing! But maybe I should just work on distance ONLY while I train for my marathon. I may see more improvements in my marathon speed if I can just CONSISTENTLY train and build mileage rather than running speedy sometimes then having to stop again for days at a time. It's not even muscle soreness stopping me (I rarely get muscle soreness anymore, just IT band pain). Though I do still need to run a two-mile for the Army Physical Fitness Test, and that DOES require some speed. Also I'll be running a leg for a "triathlon" we're doing here (it will only be 1.5 miles).
It's not my shoes, because it doesn't matter what shoes I wear... When I first got this injury, I was wearing bulky shoes. Now I wear minimal shoes, and I still got this injury. I have like six pairs of running shoes, actually, and it really makes zero difference in my IT band pain. I'm fairly light too - under 110 pounds - so my weight has nothing to do with anything either. Not running at all is just a band aid. I can stop, and it feels better, but then it springs back up.
Anyway, what do all of you runners think I should do about this nagging, irritating injury? Anything I did not yet mention?
It's not my shoes, because it doesn't matter what shoes I wear... When I first got this injury, I was wearing bulky shoes. Now I wear minimal shoes, and I still got this injury. I have like six pairs of running shoes, actually, and it really makes zero difference in my IT band pain. I'm fairly light too - under 110 pounds - so my weight has nothing to do with anything either. Not running at all is just a band aid. I can stop, and it feels better, but then it springs back up.
Anyway, what do all of you runners think I should do about this nagging, irritating injury? Anything I did not yet mention?
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