When GUTS first announced they would be manning the mile 23 and mile 75 aid stations at the Pinhoti 100 Endurance Run, I immediately wanted in on the action. Problem was, I was running the Chickamauga Battlefield Half Marathon the following weekend, and wanted to stay close to home for a last long run and a little R&R (and to soften the blow to the fuel budget).
Fast forward two months. After a trip to Zambia and two long runs within 24-hours of a 18+ hour flight, the ITBS in my left leg had reared its ugly head. Same leg that put me on the bench from February to May of 2008.
So... Chickamauga was now likely off the table. But I needed my fix, even if I couldn't run. So I volunteered for AS14 at the Pinhoti 100, the all night shift at mile 75.
Fast forward two months. After a trip to Zambia and two long runs within 24-hours of a 18+ hour flight, the ITBS in my left leg had reared its ugly head. Same leg that put me on the bench from February to May of 2008.
So... Chickamauga was now likely off the table. But I needed my fix, even if I couldn't run. So I volunteered for AS14 at the Pinhoti 100, the all night shift at mile 75.
I won't go into the details and logistics. David Ray already did a fine job of that. But volunteering gave me a true sense that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Until this past weekend, I would have thought 100 miles was impossible for a hack runner like myself. I still have a long ways to go, but I know I can do it. I've got an itch that needs to be scratched, and I figure a 100 would be an incredible 40th birthday present to my body and my soul. And the buckle a great gift to my ego.
So congratulations to all the runners, especially the GUTS runners: Roxanne, Tony, Christian (his report linked), Lane, Philip, Mike. And to all the volunteers and pacers.
After Pinhoti, I dealt myself a healthy dose of HTFU and stopped the pity-party about my IT band. Back to eating healthy and strength training.
Good one. I had a blast working with you, Len, Jason, and the rest. We're getting us one of those buckles.
ReplyDeleteI think I've just been hit by ITBS for the first time. I have run several halfs, and I am (was?) training for my first 26.2.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy that I found this entry. What are you going to do about your ITBS?
Hi Ken, I'm sorry you also have ITBS. This is a useful website - in addition to RICE and stretching, make sure you incorporate the 'Walt Reynolds ITB special'. Do you have a foam roller? It's a critical tool, and I use mine even when I don't have ITBS just to keep things stretched out.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/0168-knee-injuries.htm
Amanda
ReplyDeleteThanks. I've done some stretching and cut back the running quite a bit. I've been adding distance and frequency gradually, with some success. I never did get a roller.
Have you quashed your ITBS?