ITBS

Well, I tried an 8 mile run today. At about 5.4 miles, my IT band syndrome returned in full force, and I had to stop. This is not an encouraging sign. I'm feeling pretty discouraged about the upcoming marathon, and I'm honestly questioning whether I will even be able to finish.

I'm also feeling a little stupid. I've been researching ITBS online, and I've found a variety of stretches and exercises that I could have been doing over the past month if I had recognized that what I am experiencing is a really common problem for runners and is NOT something that just goes away with rest. It takes intentional methods to get rid of ITBS, methods that aren't very effective if you start them the week before the marathon.

All that said, I just remind myself that in the grander scheme of things, my completion or non-completion of a marathon is not all that important. It is valuable for the things you learn in training and the relationships that are built along the way; but I like to think that I have learned some things this semester, both through training and through injury, and have built some valuable relationships. And when all is said and done, God is still God, we are His children whom He loves, and He is redeeming all the earth through his son Jesus. With that truth fixed firmly in my mind, I am ready for success or failure.