Fortunately I saw the doctor at the clinic who had treated me before for a minor running injury. He is a triathlete so I knew he wouldn’t tell me to stop running.
Diagnosis? IIiotibial band syndrome or IT Band for short. The IT band is tissue that runs along the outside of the tissue that starts at the hip and runs along the other thigh and attaches on the outside edge of the shin bone just below the knee joint. The band works with the thigh muscles to produce stability to the outside of the knee joint during movement. (Source: www.about.com)
IT band injuries are very common with runners. I shouldn’t be surprised but I didn’t think it would happen to me. A lot of it has to do with overtraining or unbalanced training which tightens the band. I don’t feel pain near my knees. It’s just my left butt cheek and left hip. I hope this means it’s not serious.
I have an appointment on Thursday at the Collegiate Sports Medicine clinic for physiotherapy. Cross your fingers.
I am going to skip tonight’s CFE session. I sent emails to my coaches already. I hate missing the class but it’s the right thing to do. I hope the pain subsides in time for Thursday’s session.