thanks for the info - will keep up the stretching and have decided to buy new trainers as mine have now run their last marathon.
Have just been speaking to someone who deals with sports injuries and so will take a trip to Southampton to see if he can help - 50 miles is nothing if it helps - he says as the IT band is only a tendon the surrounding muscles have to be dealt with - all very technical - gluteous maximus/medius/minimus etc etc. so will let you know.
Have recently finished my 7th marathon and this last and the one before I was in total agony with my hip/thigh/knee. Reading the Runners World book of running it seems I have tight IT on my left side. I have tried the recommended stretch (left foot over right etc) but does anyone know of any other stretches which are effective. I hope to do FLM in April next year and do not want this injury to re-occur as it really slows me up.
Hi there folks - have been away for Salsa weekend in Folkestone (bitterly cold)so am feeling very tired and fragile. Only got 11 hours sleep in 4 nights - yes, it was that good, so thank you Redhead I am now taking a leaf out of your book ie 3 weeks hard training and 1 week gentle training - this being the gentle week.
Only saw 1 runner in Folkestone, it was blowing a blizzard and absolutely freezing and as I looked out the hotel window he went past head down, arms pumping - such a shame I left my trainers at home!!
I look like the Lucozade sweets and the gel pouches are really good so long as your stomach is aclimatised to them first or you could face dire consequences - you have been warned. I always carry Opal fruits or I think these days they are called Starburst which are good.
Spectators always hand out sweets etc at the roadside during FLM but I don't like to take them as I read last year that some celebrity runner had taken a sweet (albeit wrapped) from a spectator and within minutes she was gripped with the most terrible stomach pains and associated nasties and had to withdraw from the race. So do what your parents always told you - don't take sweets from strangers!!!!
Nerves are good. It never pays to be too sure of yourself. You will be absolutely fine. I am always nervous at the start of a marathon but once I get a couple of miles under my belt I settle down and enjoy it and the crowds soon take away any nerves. It is tremendous fun if you don't take yourself too seriously and relax into it.
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
Golden Oldie
