"... Just a little patience..."

Knees are the pistons of a runner. Recently, well not recently but a while back, I've been struggling with a knee issue. One of my pistons refuses to fire correctly. Specifically, my right has been held captive of Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). Dr. Cluett explains ITBS this way, "[It] occurs when there is irritation to this band of fibrous tissue. The irritation usually occurs over the outside of the knee joint, at the lateral epicondyle--the end of the femur (thigh) bone. The iliotibial band crosses bone and muscle at this point; between these structures is a bursa which should facilitate a smooth gliding motion. However, when inflamed, the iliotibial band does not glide easily, and pain associated with movement is the result".

When I run the pain is on the side of my right knee. It bothered me enough on my last run (January 2) to take time off for at least two weeks. I do want to mention that I have not gone to the doctor and therefore have not been given a formal diagnosis. Because the injury is has not reached the point of affecting my daily life. The pain or rather discomfort only comes when I'm running 4 or more miles.

This ordeal has been very difficult mentally. While I'm driving my car I'll see a runner and act like a dog who sees a squirrel. This bump in the road has presented opportunities to do some cross training. I've been swimming and discovered that I'm not the swimmer I was 10 years ago. And I've even worked out to Jillian MIchaels 30-Day Shred Workout DVD.

The Jillian DVD is my new nemesis. It is one of the hardest and complete workouts I've done since I began training. The first day I decided to work out with Jillian, Rosie (our dog) had such a confused look on her face. Rosie has been a great support while enduring the DVD workout. She sits our our red corduroy couch and watches the whole ordeal and her affectionate face keeps me a goin'.

There are three levels to her workouts and I thought that level two would be a piece of cake, but I struggle to keep up with her. I started out with five pound weights and after the first workout, I picked my arms off the ground (and my pride). During the next workout I went with the two and a half pounders that come in a lovely hot pink color. I'd be lying if I didn't tell you my manhood takes a shot each time I press play on Jillian's DVD. But I've swallowed my pride and I have really come to appreciate the DVD workout home video.

Martin Luther King Jr Day (January 18th) marks my first attempt back at running on a normal routine. I'll be modifying my schedule some, in order to accommodate appropriate milage for the week. I've very anxious about my long runs and hope my piston of a knee is ready for it. But as I said in my first post on this blog, all I can do is put my "good foot forward".