ITBS vs Me

ITBS (Iliotibial Band Syndrome) has been plaguing me for weeks. But looking back, I think it started when I joined my first LSD with Takbo.Ph last March 2009. Although I felt the ITBS pain after the run, I was more concerned then with my shin splints. Maybe its because I don't know what ITBS was back then, I just ignored it.

But after hearing ITBS from fellow runners , , and . And having searched the Net for what it was. I suddenly had this understanding of what not to do to avoid ITBS.

Then came our Km0 to Km56 LSD last August 2, 2009. Now for me, the consequence of doing an LSD is that it will give you more pain than running an official race or even doing a bandit. Why so? Because in an LSD, your running space is limited to the sides of the road which is most of the time uneven.

What I didn't expect that night was the symptoms of ITBS around KM30. I tried to walk/jog it off upto the next pit stop at WalterMart Dasmarinas, Cavite. But when we started running again, the pain was so unbearable I have to tap-out around KM33-KM34.

ITBS - 1, RodRunn3r - 0

After that LSD, I was already thinking of downgrading my KROUR from 15K to 5K. You know, just to not aggravate the injury. But then again, I already promised to pace some Takbo.Ph peeps specifically , , & . And since it's chikka pace and 's 15K target is 2hrs30mins, bahala na si Lord.

KROUR raceday... I was at the race site around 5:30pm. No, it's not the excitement. It just so happens that I have work that day and the office closed at around 4:30pm. Since I have my running gear with me, I just decided to go to the race site early to mingle with my friends and to have my gait analyzed at as well.

5mins before the 15K gunstart. , and was with me at the starting pen. But soon after the gunstart was fired, was the only one I was pacing. As soon as we made our first turn, I checked out on . then told me that was pacing her and she said she will be alright.

And so I concentrated on being 's pacer, for this was her first 15K. was also pacing with me upto Bayani Road near Heritage park. Somewhere along the way, suddenly upped his pace. I don't know why... but it seems like he saw . Ehurm...

Once inside the Heritage Park Cemetery, there was this eerie kind of feeling as almost all suddenly went silent. And what a good place and timing for my ITBS symptoms to re-appear.

And so there I was, running on the most flat surface area of the route. Trying to avoid the banks and gutters. It was ME against the ITBS once again. And I'm not going to let it stop me from finishing this race.

I tried everything to keep my mind off from the pain. From playing with my bracelet, to pushing , to saying "Hi" to every I know, to dousing myself with , everything...

Nearing the last 1K was already telling me that she can't run anymore. Adik?!? Konti na lang eh, ngayon pa nag-inarte??? And so I pushed her some more. From targeting , to targeting the last station, to targeting the 3 intersections, to the last corner, to the last corner, to the finish line...

As we turned towards the finish line, I saw the timer at 2 hrs 00 mins 42 secs. So I pushed even more... I told her, "Wag na natin paabutin ng 2:01 yun timer". And with all what was left on 's strength, she raced with me towards the finish line. And we crossed it under 2:01...

After making sure that was okay. I ran back to check on . And was able to join/pace her together with , , , , , at the last hydration station (Essensa).

Approximately 500M to the finish line, I chanced upon a runner hobbling near the sidewalk. I slowed down a bit and checked to see if she was okay. I never got the chance to introduce myself to her... baka sabihin gumagamit ako ng pick-up line... Instead, I tried talking to her about the race, about looking for an even surface to run on, about the stupid who keeps on at our back. When made a sign at the last turn, I ran towards to join/pace her with the group upto the finish.

We formed a shape nearing the finish line and let cross the line on her own because it was her FINISH...

ITBS - 1, RodRunn3r - 1