Whoa.  Blogger has changed.  I've been absent too long!  I've had some good days of running and some good long runs.  I've also fought injury every step.  I think that's why I'm avoiding the blog.  Eating was going really well.  I felt great.  Then sugar, chips, less veggies and fruits started happening.  My Saturday's have been packed so weigh ins haven't been happening.  Everything has built on itself until I was feeling a little out of control.

This week, I'm only eating power foods.  Yesterday was a great day.  Today has been good too.  I'm trying to only eat power foods from now until my marathon.  Why?  Fighting injury sucks.  My body better be ready if my legs aren't.  I'm going to need all the help I can get.

Injury --- I can say that I think I have the neuromas in both feet under control.  Cutting back on my miles, ibuprofen and daily icing has helped.  Do I still notice my feet on a long run.  I have to say yes, but neither foot has the INTENSE burning that they used to have.

 Okay - long story short --- Because of focusing on my feet, and compensating for them, I have completely ignored my IT Band.  When I look back, it has probably bothered me since my run I had to ask for a ride home on - remember that one?  Yeah, so do I!  When we did 17 miles a few weeks ago, I had my light bulb moment and finally recognized that my IT band was really kicking my butt.

Having been through this before, I tried to stretch, ice and do strength on my own.  It just wasn't working.  I went to my fabulous physical therapist.  He worked me over - really - I left with bruises.  Ever heard of the Graston Technique?  Yeah, neither had I!  I won't forget that one.  He scraped my IT band with metal tools to break up the scar tissue.  Yes, I thought I would pee my pants.  IT HURT!  I told him I was doing 20 miles the next day and he didn't seem to think it would be a problem.

Last Friday was supposed to be my longest run - 20 miles.  We (my awesome friends & I) started where our marathon will start.  We ran just over 7 miles (during those 7, I was already needing to stretch my IT band) and then drove to another another starting point up South Fork Canyon (BEAUTIFUL RUN!!!).  This was the beginning of our last 13 miles.  I was only able to finish 15 of my 20 miles.  The last 5 miles I ran/walked it.  I actually called my husband to come rescue me.  By the time he got there, I was to the mouth of the canyon.  I literally could hardly lift my leg up and down.

Since the run, I've been talking ibuprofen and vitamin C.  I'm stretching and icing like crazy.  I'm also using my foam roller, trying to get my IT band to relax and recover.

Today, was my first run since Friday.  I did 3 miles and didn't have a problem until the downhill stretch and I could feel my IT band.  I immediately stopped and walked.  I'm not pushing this.  I'm running my marathon.  I am!  I am finishing my marathon!