It's definitely tough mentally, Lani! I listen to an upbeat playlist, so that keeps me motivated 👍

Hey Greg! 👋 Thanks for your insight 👍 I have been doing all of the strength exercises you mention along with targeted piriformis and ITB stretches. They have been helping, but I needed something active to keep my fitness up while removing the load, which is why I added deep water running....Just adding two sessions this week allowed me to nail my fifteen miler today with no ITB pain! Was amazing!..Tomorrow's recovery run will be in the pool.

No worries, Kat...I appreciate the good wishes....I'm still planning on running New York in March as I believe I have caught the ITB issue early enough to manage with mixing in the Aqua Jogging. May even make me faster in the long run!

Last two runs were in the pool, and today's long run on the trail went great! Just what I needed to reduce the stress on the IT Band. Will do my recovery run in the pool tomorrow and alternate water and treadmill/ trail runs each week. The key is to get the long run in outside each week.

It definitely seems to be, Cathy! So far so good!

Welcome to the channel! 🙂 You are absolutely right about how to address ITB issues. When I mention targeted stretching, it's specific to the hips, glutes, and groin vs the ITB itself. The strength training I do is also specific to the muscles you mention, so we're on the same page 👍 I also encourage folks not to neglect core and upper body strength. The key is to strengthen the entire kinetic chain to minimize muscular imbalances......As for the "Aqua Jogging", I find it works the entire chain due to water resistance and can improve overall form if done correctly. I find myself driving my hips better as well as having a better slight forward lean afterwards. I even noticed my foot strike is more under my hips than in front resulting in more of a midfoot strike.

@vanrunning Good to hear that aqua jogging is working for you. Even some olympic runners have used it during injury periods. Did you look into anti-gravity treadmill running? Basically it is a pulley system attached to treadmill side handles to reduce your impact weight. They also call them LEVER system. Did you look at those? Apparently, you can even rent one for a month or two (i.e. the LEVER system) Tim from "Run Tall with Tim" channel used them during a marathon training cycle in the past. Further alternatives cycling, rowing and if possibly elliptical. Tim above apparently has switched the bulk of his training to cycling these days. He will be running Boston again like you.

No worries, Cathy! I appreciate the support....I caught it early enough, I think, to manage through.

Hey, Cathy! You should see the KT Tape on my knee for today's long run! 😂 In any case, I was able to get in a great fifteen miler with no issues!

@@oldmanvanrunning So ... what are the after-effects of this fifteen miler that you mentioned? Do you have pain ... or are you feeling strong and healthy? I hope all that "sexy" KT tape and belt on your legs is giving you the support you need.

@@cathynewyork7918 Feeling great, Cathy! I did my recovery run in the pool on Monday, 9 miles on the treadmill Tuesday, 6 miles on the treadmill yesterday, and a 1 hour interval session in the pool this morning....with NO ITB pain!....What I noticed on my 15 miler was that I felt stronger throughout my body and my form had more of a forward lean and i was striking more mid-foot. I believe this is directly due to the pool running which works the entire kinetic chain. I was definitely using more of my upper body and core to drive my hips vs before. I think I will keep the pool running as a key part of my training going forward......And.....NO MORE KT TAPE! 😃

@@oldmanvanrunning Bill, wow, for an injured runner you sure got in some great training this week. I'm happy for you that you had no ITB pain, as I have had that and I know how horrible it is. Nice , if you think the pool running will be a good training tool for you in the future. Aaaaah, no more "fashion violations" with the KT tape!! Thanks for letting me know it's getting better for you and you're back on track for Boston!!! I am not a good runner myself but I enjoy watching your progress. "Happy Trails."

@@oldmanvanrunning Reminder - you probably already know - New York City Marathon registration is open February 28 through March 21 [and open now for people with Guaranteed Entry].

No worries, ABucc....It's definitely a tough injury to deal with....I'm also running the New York City Half as a warmup for Boston. Hope to see you there!.....To your question. The bike may not be the best cross-training for ITB as it is also associated with cycling. If you have access to a pool, deep water running ("Aqua Jogging") is a better alternative. I was actually able to nail my fifteen miler today with no ITB flare-up. My last two runs were in the pool, and the lack of impact allowed my ITB to calm down. I'm going to continue to alternate water and dry land/ treadmill running from here on out along with targeted strength and stretching.

@oldmanvanrunning thank you, I got no access to a pool. I'm going to have to tough it out I guess. Lol

@ABucc Can't hurt trying the bike anyway to see how it reacts....Do you have access to an elliptical?

@@oldmanvanrunning I used to, I only have the bike now.🤷‍♂️

Hey Donny! 👋 I'll post a video of it!

Fortunately, I don't think it will come to that, Cathy. It's good to know I can if necessary, though! 👍

@@oldmanvanrunning Yes, it's good you have the option of doing only pool running if you need to. Remember the old mantra, "Get to the start line healthy."