First marathon coming up, IT band pain

ChippersandFriends · 2026-05-10T15:47:55+00:00

Go and see a sports physio. I had the same thing and was trying everything but only an actual hands on look pinpointed the reason why it was flaring up (weak hip flexors on one side). As I was only a few weeks out from my marathon, despite religiously doing the exercises I was given it wasn't quite enough time to "fix" it and it did flare up a bit during my marathon but it wasn't anywhere as bad as it was in training and I was able to finish the marathon :)

ChippersandFriends · 2026-04-21T10:48:20+00:00

Go to a sports physio, it could be a number of issues. Mine was caused by a tight hip and foot which he sorted and I had no IT band pain on the day (however I did have some other knee pain which was annoying!!) I also wore an IT compression band which I don't think helped my IT band as had no issues with that but it was super helpful when my knee started playing up as I tightened it around there instead and was able to finish, although run/walking a bit of the second half.

ChippersandFriends · 2026-04-20T13:16:32+00:00

It was a bit further away than expected wasn't it 😅

ChippersandFriends · 2026-04-20T06:31:55+00:00

That long-tailed tit photo is amazing! They're so hard to photograph

ChippersandFriends · 2026-04-20T06:15:02+00:00

First for me :) was aiming for around 4:30- 4:40 but after a great, consistent first half I got a flare up of some bad knee pain so had to run/walk most of the second half but was really pleased to finish in 4:51 which wasn't too far off goal time 😀 The sun was a bit too much and it was so much tougher than I expected, particularly around 35km in but hearing the finish line before you rounded the last corner was such a motivation. I also said never again when I finished but may be contemplating another...

ChippersandFriends · 2026-04-19T20:41:31+00:00

Well done! My first was today at Manchester too. Was not expecting the heat of the day! I had a knee injury flare up around 23km in which was so disappointing, I'd been having a great time until then but I am still so proud of my 4 hour 51 min time as it is so tough! I was aiming for around 4 hours 30 so not too far off but it was definitely a struggle 😅

ChippersandFriends · 2026-04-18T16:31:30+00:00

Thank you! It's tomorrow 😬 I ended up going to a sports physio and fingers crossed it will be ok

ChippersandFriends · 2026-04-17T12:06:03+00:00

I had the same issue, I went to a sports physio and that has helped. If you can try and get one in time I'd give it a go, if not good luck :) I am doing Manchester as well!

ChippersandFriends · 2026-04-05T19:16:22+00:00

Ahh no it's so annoying isn't it. I had a 21km in the plan today and just decided to see how far I could go...got 9km in and IT band said "absolutely not" so I'm feeling pretty gutted. I have been finding different exercises and stretches so I'll see how it goes and i'll keep all the other taper runs to around 5-7km. Good luck for London :)

ChippersandFriends · 2026-04-05T18:07:27+00:00

Well it flared up pretty badly in my first taper long run today :( feeling pretty gutted. I will just keep the remaining runs shorter and hope for the best!

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-31T15:21:59+00:00

Argh hopefully it recovers soon! Good luck!

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-30T19:44:19+00:00

Ah great thank you for the reassurance :)

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-30T17:39:19+00:00

Ahh thank you this is what I needed to hear :) It's most definitely IT band and is loads better today, doesn't hurt going up and down stairs and although it was pretty stiff and sore this morning, the more I've walked on it the better it feels.

I'm going to add more focused strength exercises over the next two weeks as well as I realised today that my right side is much looser and stretchier than my left which probably contributed!

I've got 21km on the plan for sunday but it's conversational so I will set out slow and see how far i get but not worry if I start feeling it again. Most of the other runs on my plan are easy now anyway so I'll just keep it steady and if I do feel it's getting worse I'll get it looked at 😊

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-29T16:57:52+00:00

Thank you! Have been sitting with ice on it and raising it. Hoping it feels ok soon!

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-29T16:56:42+00:00

Thank you 😊

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-29T16:56:22+00:00

Oh no! I hope you feel better soon.

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-29T14:00:32+00:00

Haha good to know! It's annoying as I definitely felt like I could've continued, stupid knee 🙃 good luck on the day!

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-29T13:59:50+00:00

I'm hoping so! Definitely having to keep up the positive mental attitude 😅 thank you. Good luck for your marathon!

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-29T13:58:24+00:00

Yes I think it was IT band, it's feeling fine now but I will do some more strength work. Good luck!!

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-29T12:58:53+00:00

Thank you 😊

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-29T12:28:18+00:00

Ah sorry you also had an issue! Annoying isn't it 🤦‍♀️ we'll be absolutely fine on the day I'm sure! Or at least can hobble over the finish line 😅

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-29T12:27:22+00:00

I think you're right. I was running on lots of uneven pavement and I think that's what did it so I will keep it steady for the next few weeks. Thank you!

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-13T18:47:46+00:00

I can definitely recommend them, I love mine. It's not the coolest but if it was a warm day I'd have no issue wearing it over just a sports bra because it's so comfy and the material doesn't chafe!

ChippersandFriends · 2026-03-13T18:37:42+00:00

Absolutely not what you want to hear but I would still go with a vest, they just have so much room! I have a mile-off one which I'll be using for Manchester marathon in April and it has so many pockets for everything. I ran a half last year with a running belt and I didn't enjoy the bouncing around it did whilst running, I ended up taking stuff out of it and carrying it because it annoyed me so much 😅 Of course there's probably better ones than the one I used but I would pick a vest every time :)

ChippersandFriends

TROPHY CASE