Posted by Bob on October 17, 2007, 1:48 pm

About seven weeks ago my left ITB flared up for the first time on a 23-miler, and again three weeks later on a 24-miler. Despite rest, stretching & strength exercises and consulting my physician, I was more than a little nervous about Sunday’s event. Sure enough, after completing mile 7, my left ITB began to ache and by mile 16 my pace had slowed to almost a walk. I was more than a little discouraged. Fortunately, a guardian angel appeared (I don’t know who you are, but I can’t thank you enough for your kindness) and offered an Advil which took the edge off, and my normal gait began to return. However it wasn’t until I received 2 additional Advil at mile 20 that I felt my stride return. Don’t ask why I wasn’t carrying my own pain meds – hard lesson learned. The last six miles were a blur – someone mentioned hills (?) but I don’t remember any because I was elated to run normally again. Despite the Odyssey, the MDI is at the top of my list! The staff, volunteers, local support and venue (absolutely breath taking) were superb! A job well done by all!! The MDI is destined to become one of "the" races!!

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Posted by Gary Allen, race director on October 17, 2007, 2:17 pm, in reply to "MDI Marathon 2007: The Odyssey"

Bob, Glad the combo of pain meds and your own hard work got'er done. As for us becoming one of "the" races. I'll just say it's class acts like yours that make us shine. You all are "the" best! rest well gary --Previous Message-- : About seven weeks ago my left ITB flared up : for the first time on a 23-miler, and again : three weeks later on a 24-miler. Despite : rest, stretching & strength exercises : and consulting my physician, I was more than : a little nervous about Sunday’s event. Sure : enough, after completing mile 7, my left ITB : began to ache and by mile 16 my pace had : slowed to almost a walk. I was more than a : little discouraged. Fortunately, a guardian : angel appeared (I don’t know who you are, : but I can’t thank you enough for your : kindness) and offered an Advil which took : the edge off, and my normal gait began to : return. However it wasn’t until I received : 2 additional Advil at mile 20 that I felt my : stride return. Don’t ask why I wasn’t : carrying my own pain meds – hard lesson : learned. The last six miles were a blur – : someone mentioned hills (?) but I don’t : remember any because I was elated to run : normally again. Despite the Odyssey, the : MDI is at the top of my list! The staff, : volunteers, local support and venue : (absolutely breath taking) were superb! A : job well done by all!! The MDI is destined : to become one of "the" races!! : :

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Posted by Michael Telles on October 17, 2007, 2:29 pm, in reply to "Re: MDI Marathon 2007: The Odyssey"

Hi Bob, I was in ITB hell for a long time, and I completely understand the frustration. After several bouts of PT someone finally recommended Active Isolated Stretching technique -- with a rope etc. -- and it never flared up again. The key is to stretch every muscle group in the leg consistently, because every group influences another. I spend nearly as much time stretching as running, but if it keeps me on the road, I'll do it. I can't believe you pushed through all the pain to the finish! You've got heart and soul! Michael Telles, #8. --Previous Message-- : Bob, : : Glad the combo of pain meds and your own : hard work got'er done. As for us becoming : one of "the" races. I'll just say : it's class acts like yours that make us : shine. You all are "the" best! : : rest well : : : gary : : --Previous Message-- : About seven weeks ago my left ITB flared up : for the first time on a 23-miler, and again : three weeks later on a 24-miler. Despite : rest, stretching & strength exercises : and consulting my physician, I was more than : a little nervous about Sunday’s event. Sure : enough, after completing mile 7, my left ITB : began to ache and by mile 16 my pace had : slowed to almost a walk. I was more than a : little discouraged. Fortunately, a guardian : angel appeared (I don’t know who you are, : but I can’t thank you enough for your : kindness) and offered an Advil which took : the edge off, and my normal gait began to : return. However it wasn’t until I received : 2 additional Advil at mile 20 that I felt my : stride return. Don’t ask why I wasn’t : carrying my own pain meds – hard lesson : learned. The last six miles were a blur – : someone mentioned hills (?) but I don’t : remember any because I was elated to run : normally again. Despite the Odyssey, the : MDI is at the top of my list! The staff, : volunteers, local support and venue : (absolutely breath taking) were superb! A : job well done by all!! The MDI is destined : to become one of "the" races!! : : : :

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