Looks like I might miss Olympic run. Feeling miserable. Come and cheer me up....

[Wiifitmama]

I got one of the coveted ballot places in the lottery olympic run on the 31st of march. I have been so looking forward to it. But three weeks ago I injured my IT band quite badly. I have seen a physio for a few sessions and a knee specialist (had MRI to confirm it wasn't anything more sinister). He did a steroid injection which worked for a few days but I have had a relapse (not through exercising as I have been on complete rest) and it is mega painful again. I am sooooo upset about theolympic run. There is only 4 weeks left (as the helpful email they sent out today reminded me) and I just can't see how I have any hope of doing it. I am so sad.

I'm going to bed too :-) and remember if your IT bands are tight rolling them out will be excruciating :-) do some googling for different positions to apply more or less pressure (you want to be going for less!)

Hi Wiifitmama,

I was on your other thread; sorry to hear that things aren't improving. I have absolutely been there and my best advice is to just allow yourself to wallow in self-pity for while. Catch up on some box-sets or books from the library. Not only are you dealing with the disappointment, but you are also dealing with a cold-turkey loss of the endorphin "high". It's a horrible time but one that you just have to ride-out if you've been told to rest only . The trick is to not panic. You will NOT gain weight if you continue your healthy eating habits (don't go nuts on the chocolate, no matter how tempting) and just allow yourself to embrace the enforced rest period. I firmly believe, after sustaining an awful running injury, that all athletes need to have a sustained rest once in awhile. Whether that's a few weeks or a month or so, it's good for the soul and good for the bones and muscles. I can only now run half the distance I used to and feel better for it mentally (no more low mood on rest days) as well as physically (no more sore hips, achy bones or muscles and I'm only 2 bls over my mega-mileage weight). I now think I have a more balanced approach to exercise--it no longer rules my life.

YY to seeing a proper sports doctor (not physio). See whether he'll allow you to swim with a pull-buoy or water jog, perhaps moving on to elliptical training or stationary cycling and then a gradual return to running (beginner plan, sorry ).

Hope you feel better soon XX.

Thanks so much peanutnutterchocolate. Your idea about swimming with the knee float thing is great! I used to do that when swim training and it was great cardio interval training. I just forgot all about it. I plan to go tomorrow and give it a try. I can't see how it could hurt my ITB at all.

Today I sent dh (bless him) to Argos to get me some dumbells and I did some weight training on Exercises that did not require knee bending. I also did some stretching, planks, pishups and foam rolling. I will see what the new physio says Tuesday but I honestly don't feel any of this is stressing my knees.

I think there has to be a balance between resting/recuperating and my mental health which is sliding into depression from inactivity!

How are you feeling today? are you still in pain when you walk? have you now completely ruled it out? i have no injury knowledge to pass on, just sympathy x