I went on my first weekend trip of 2014, and did the AT from Sunset Fields parking area to the James River footbridge...the last part of this is a grueling downhill, and my knees were hurting every step along the outside of my knee. First it was only the right knee, and after a while, the left knee joined in. From what I have googled, it looks like maybe my IT bands were getting pinged?

No pain on ups, level, or slight downhills, but past a certain angle going down, it kicked in every time.

Anyone know some stretches or a way to prevent this, or do I just plan on taking anti inflammatories on hikes from now on?