IT Band problems

[mjp]

During my past three marathons between miles 15 and 18 my left IT band has tightened progressing to a sharp pain at the front of the knee which has caused me to drop out. During training runs of up to 20 miles there had been no problems. Any thoughts?

[Joe Rubio]

Are you running your marathons in the same shoes you're doing your 20 milers in without pain?

Joe

[mjp]

No,I'm haven't in the past but the recommendation has been made to me that I do my long runs in the same shoes I plan to race in (or should that be the other way around?). Also I have started doing my long runs of 2.5 to 3 hours on trails.

[Joe Rubio]

If you are running 20 miles in shoes that aren't causing problems and then trying to run a marathon in shoes that are causing a problem - seems pretty simple - run the marathon in the same the shoes that don't cause you problems.

Joe

[mjp]

Sounds good to me,I'll go for it. Thanks for the input.