Here is the deal: I registered for Philadelphia marathon (Nov 20th) but I cannot run more than a few miles without pain in my knees and hips, probably cause by ITBS. Running barefoot seems to help, whatr else can I do?
The long version:
In the Spring (May, June) I could run a half marathon distance barefoot at any time
I didn't run barefoot enough during the Summer because of travels so I decided to order a pair of Lunas so I could increase my mileage a little faster than what my soles could take. (Stupid error #1)
First 13 miles in Lunas was awesome. I was full of energy, fast by my standards, confortable, happy. Nothing could stop me.
2nd week in Lunas: Pose workshop followed by a long run that didn't go well for a variety of reasons and I ended up walking 6 miles with a little blister on the side of my foot caused by the laces but no knee/hip pain.
3rd week: Everything was perfect for the first 10 miles and suddendly I had that pain on the outside of my right knee. Since I forgot my cellphone I walked 2 miles home while the pain increased. The next day a visit to the chiro made the knee pain dissapear. A few days later I ran 8 miles, barefoot and in leather thin sandals, with no problem.
4th week: 10 great miles and then the pain again. I called for a ride home. The chiroprator couldn't fix me this time, she said everyhthing was aligned properly.
5th week in Lunas: After an entire week of rest I felt the pain after 6 miles. I rested, rolled a little (should do more), did strengthening exercises for the hip flexors and abductors (I think) and waited for the next run.
6th week: 5 miles in Lunas and the pain came back. I was not far from home but I thought walking would be painful. For some reason I took off the Lunas and started running toward the house and the pain disspeared. I passed my house and ran for another 2 miles barefoot before the pain returned.
The following day I ran 5+ miles barefoot and the pain returned in both knees and hips but it may be because I didn't recover from the day before.
Questions:
Even if I focus on lift, short and quick when I wear the Luna sandals I think I may be overstriding, or my form degrades in some other way. I don't run properly in them yet. So I should run barefoot only. But I don't think my soles can take more than 10-13 miles barefoot at this point.
How much should I roll? And is it enough to recover and start the next run in "like new" condition?
Should I do the hip strengthening exercises up to the day before the run or are they tiring the muscles that I'm supposed to rest?
Is there anything I can do during a run (massage, strech) to be able to go a little further on race day? Shaking my leg seems to provide relief for a brief while but I didn't find stretches that worked.
I think if I can run 16 miles whithout pain in training it's worth trying the marathon. I feel so strong and full of energy after each run it would be a waste to not try. Is it crazy?
The long version:
In the Spring (May, June) I could run a half marathon distance barefoot at any time
I didn't run barefoot enough during the Summer because of travels so I decided to order a pair of Lunas so I could increase my mileage a little faster than what my soles could take. (Stupid error #1)
First 13 miles in Lunas was awesome. I was full of energy, fast by my standards, confortable, happy. Nothing could stop me.
2nd week in Lunas: Pose workshop followed by a long run that didn't go well for a variety of reasons and I ended up walking 6 miles with a little blister on the side of my foot caused by the laces but no knee/hip pain.
3rd week: Everything was perfect for the first 10 miles and suddendly I had that pain on the outside of my right knee. Since I forgot my cellphone I walked 2 miles home while the pain increased. The next day a visit to the chiro made the knee pain dissapear. A few days later I ran 8 miles, barefoot and in leather thin sandals, with no problem.
4th week: 10 great miles and then the pain again. I called for a ride home. The chiroprator couldn't fix me this time, she said everyhthing was aligned properly.
5th week in Lunas: After an entire week of rest I felt the pain after 6 miles. I rested, rolled a little (should do more), did strengthening exercises for the hip flexors and abductors (I think) and waited for the next run.
6th week: 5 miles in Lunas and the pain came back. I was not far from home but I thought walking would be painful. For some reason I took off the Lunas and started running toward the house and the pain disspeared. I passed my house and ran for another 2 miles barefoot before the pain returned.
The following day I ran 5+ miles barefoot and the pain returned in both knees and hips but it may be because I didn't recover from the day before.
Questions:
Even if I focus on lift, short and quick when I wear the Luna sandals I think I may be overstriding, or my form degrades in some other way. I don't run properly in them yet. So I should run barefoot only. But I don't think my soles can take more than 10-13 miles barefoot at this point.
How much should I roll? And is it enough to recover and start the next run in "like new" condition?
Should I do the hip strengthening exercises up to the day before the run or are they tiring the muscles that I'm supposed to rest?
Is there anything I can do during a run (massage, strech) to be able to go a little further on race day? Shaking my leg seems to provide relief for a brief while but I didn't find stretches that worked.
I think if I can run 16 miles whithout pain in training it's worth trying the marathon. I feel so strong and full of energy after each run it would be a waste to not try. Is it crazy?