Hi All,

My name is Raghu Srinivasan (Raghu-pronounced like the pasta sauce:))
and i KNOW i have ITBS syndrome:(

I had been training for a marathon since February 2002 with Team in
Training (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and i had constant issues
with my left glute and hamstring. Several visits to the Stanford
Myofascial Institute (SMI) helped alleviate/remove the problem via
deep-tissue massage, ice-tub soaking and intense stretching. All
seemed well until the 2nd week of June when i felt a searing pain in
my right IT Band region (lateral right knee). It was back to SMI for
deep tisse massages, icing, etc etc. However, they didnt tell me that
running the Anchorage marathon on June 22 would be a pipe-dream for
fear of acutely disappointing me. In any case, i started off well
enough in Anchorage on June 22 with no ostensible injuries and hoping
for a 3.50 finish. Somewhere between the 3rd and the 4th mile a
familiar twinge surfaced on my right IT band. At that time, we were
running on asphalt (I know, I know...but no choice). I carried on
gamely and we got on to the rock and mud trail (mile 7 to mile 15).
The pain got worse and we got back to asphalt for the last 10 miles.
I was already 40 minutes behind my expected finish time. At mile 18,
my right leg gave up. I hobbled for the next 2 hours with icepacks
strapped to my right leg and finished at 5hr 56 minutes and change.
Well, i finished it. Now, i have to beat this thing. I am going to
read through all the messages and hopefully share my recovery with
you.

Cheers,
Raghu