Is it IT Band Syndrome, or are they just telling me a Fibula?

Been quite a while since I've blogged...for a few reasons:

-End of the school-year stuff. TCAP testing after Spring Break, Science Club Zoo Snooze, Field Trip, Field Day, and 5th grade Graduation (last Friday, but teachers' official last day is tomorrow...woohoo!)

-Since my last race a little over a month ago, I've been suffering from IT Band Syndrome (diagnosed by an Ortho doctor). Started with a little hip pain, then developed into knee pain on the outside of my right knee. The only way I can describe the pain is a very uncomfortable, grinding feeling. I haven't run much since I was diagnosed, even though the doctor said to back off with the mileage, but continue to run with run/walk intervals...I hurt so bad I couldn't even do that! The doctor ordered me to 4 weeks of physical therapy. I have one more session left. I thought I was making progress, even if it was babysteps...until I attempted a run this morning. The grinding is back! The physical therapist & I were talking, she thinks that it's more of a problem with my fibular head...don't know what to do about that! I don't return to the Ortho until June 10...I guess I'll be making a phone call tomorrow! I just want to be back to NORMAL and RUN without pain!

-I've been missing running. I miss getting out with the neighborhood girls. I actually miss getting up at 4:30 am. I miss slipping on my running shoes. I miss deciding what running outfit I'm going to lay out for my run. Running has been my stress reliever...I didn't realize how much until I was without it. I can tell that my mood has changed...not only getting frustrated, but slightly depressed. Running makes me HAPPY! While I'm running, I tend to forget about all my other worries.

-I've felt like since I haven't been running, I haven't had much to blog about. Hopefully soon that will change.

-Since this injury, I've missed out on 2 races I've wanted to run...one of those was tonight...Zoom through the Zoo. This was the 1st race I ran three years ago...it's what got me hooked on running. Hopefully, I'll come back stronger from some of the strength moves I've been doing.

If you take away one thing from this blog, make sure that it's this: YOU MUST STRENGTH TRAIN (glutes, quads & hamstrings)! DO IT! I used to strength train my legs & got away from it, boy am I regretting it now. As my PT says, "You need a big, strong HOUSE (butt)!"