Cautiously optimistic on progress

I am feeling cautiously optimistic about my IT band condition as a result of a decent week. I am seeing the light toward the end of the tunnel. Still a ways to go, but I am feeling like I can get out of my rut pretty quickly.

Good news is that I was able to achieve my mileage goal of 25+ without any issue.

I resumed running with the CARA "Boston Bound" group yesterday morning. We now meet at the Morton Aboretum in Lisle, which is a beautiful sanctuary of trees and nature. We run up there because of the well-kept paved roads, which are plowed in the wintertime, and the hills which will help prepare for Boston.

I was pleased to have run the 10 miles without really being bothered by the knee. Don't get me wrong; it is still aggravated. Perhaps I have learned that stretching before will minimize the impact - and the little bit of discomfort has become tolerable at this point. The group was going for another 3.5 mile loop and I could have gone more, but I din't want to push it. So I called it a week.

I have "The Stick" rolling pin device, from a gift from the mother-in-law two years ago. I never used the thing until now. However, I have found that it helps stretch out the IT band. I also have broken down and ordered the foam roller. I am changing my ways as a runner.

I think getting back out with a group helped me immensely. There was a group of about 8-10 runners that stayed together. These are the people that I trained for Chicago with.

I am going to beat this thing soon. I think I will ramp up to 32 miles next week, 36 for New Year's week and 40 the week of 1/8 -- which will be just in time for the PT to tell me that there's nothing wrong with me.

Week of 12/18/06 recap

Mon - 5 with fast finish
Tue - 4 general aerobic
Wed - REST
Thu - 4 easy
Fri - 5 recovery
Sat - 10 EZ - 7:55 pace
Sun - REST

TOTAL: 28 miles

Plan for 12/25/06 week

Mon - 4
Tue - 6
Wed - REST
Thu - 5
Fri - 5 Recovery
Sat - 12

Total: 32 miles

Boston Marathon is 113 days away. Stretch, stretch, stretch...