Don't know if you all remember me....had a 60 mile hike planned in SNP..Started out on October 6...on the second day out, my IT Band decided it had had enough and became incredibly painful. Hadn't had issues with it for decades. Seriously bummed. Took a zero at Pinefield Hut to rest it...the remnants of Tropical Storm Nate blew through....then we started out again....I could do the uphills and the level sections with no problem...I was absolutely strong enough....it was the downhills that killed me. I learned to do this little "two step"....I would lead with my right (injured leg), bring my left foot even to my right, and then step again. Very slow, but it was working. Until Wednesday....the storm had brought so many leaves down that you couldn't see the trail, much less the rocks underneath the leaves, and I managed to misstep with the right leg and further tweak the same freakin' knee....and at that point there was no way ....I couldn't do the level sections, the uphills, the downhills....nothing. It was time to call it quits if I ever wanted to walk again...
To say I was bummed would be an understatement. Had trained for months for this event....completed 42 miles....but not 60.
BUT....I DID complete a section hike of the AT. I DID learn an incredible amount. I DID see a bear (who saw me...we looked at each other a a few moments while he tried to figure out what I was and when I clacked my sticks together and shouted "bear bear", he graciously ambled off) . I DID experience "trail magic". I DID have the blueberry ice-cream at Big Meadows. I DID take a zero. I DID go the wrong way for 1.6 miles because I thought I knew the way and didn't consult the little sign (huge lesson learned). I DID pack the right amount of clothes. I DID learn how to filter water, interact with people at a shelter, ignore mice, shared my little bit of whiskey,.....all kinds of stuff. So, yeah....I didnt complete the 60 miles, but it was an incredible life changing hike. Can't wait to get back out there.
So here's my question to you all..... other experiences with IT Band Syndrome? Best treatments? Rehab? The stuff on the internet is all over the place....What have been your experiences with all this?
Thanks,
k