Why Does My Iliotibial-Band (ITB) Hurt When I Run?Considerations for Managing the ITB as a Runner

Sean Rimmer

Published on: 31/05/2024

One of the more common running-related injuries I see in recreational runners is pain in the region of the ITB, known as Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). If you’ve ever dealt with ITBS, then you’ll know it’s typically accompanied by pain just to the outside of the knee, and it can be exacerbated by spikes in training load and downhill running. For trail runners specifically, managing ITBS can be a very frustrating process due to the nature of the terrain. In this article, I’ll review the anatomy and function of the ITB, why you may be experiencing ITBS as a runner, and some strategies to consider in managing ITBS.

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How To Prepare Your Legs for Mountain Trails

Sean Rimmer

Published on: 27/11/2023

Summertime offers the best few months of the year for trail runners to train or go for an adventure in the mountains. Snows have melted, wildflowers are blooming, and although it is an exciting time to train and explore the high country, the physical nature of mountain trails can be overwhelming to say the least. Trail runners typically spend less time during the winter and early spring months running in the high mountains due to limited accessibility. They are spending more time running on lower elevation trails, roads, or even the “dreadmill” in an effort to maintain fitness during the off-season. Though these efforts of training are helpful at maintaining cardiovascular and some musculoskeletal conditioning, these lower elevation and “flatter” training don’t prepare our musculoskeletal tissues – including our bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments – for a sudden increase in elevation change when we hit the mountain trails come summer.

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Foot and Ankle Health for Runners

Sean Rimmer

Published on: 27/11/2023

Have you ever dealt with a nagging pain in the foot or ankle during your runs? Do you find yourself dealing with pain and stiffness in your feet the first thing after getting out of bed in the morning? If your answer is yes to either or both questions, you are not alone. Pain and stiffness in this region are common in runners, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the status quo.

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Dealing with Pain: To Run or Not to Run?

Sean Rimmer

Published on: 27/11/2023

If you happen to be reading this article, you likely enjoy the activity of running. Whether you run for stress relief, socially with friends, competitively, or anywhere in between, the act of running often brings more to life than just running itself. On the contrary, if unable to run due to pain, we often lose all of the physical, mental, and emotional benefits we gain from the aspects of running we enjoy. So, what kind of pain should cause us to stop running and is it okay to keep running through some pain? Unfortunately, the answers can be both simple and complex.

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