JENerally Speaking: Dear, ITBS: I win!

Good riddance, ITBS! It took a lot of dedication and patience, but... I win!

ITBS, better known as:

I'm Tired of this Bull, um, Shit

It Took Beaucoup Strengthening

It's Time; Buh-bye, Suckahhh!

Here is how I beat this poophead:

I took a full week of rest, meaning, I sat on my couch and ate doritos. Yes, FULL REST.
In between doritos, I started an aggressive strengthening routine. When the dorito bag was empty, I went to the gym and finished the routine. Okay, seriously, here is what I did every day (and am still doing):

2x 25 clam shells, raised clam shells, and leg lifts
25 weightless lunges and weightless squats
2x 20 lateral band walks on each side
ten minutes of foam rolling

Three or four times each week, I completed 3x 20 leg extensions (30lbs), leg presses (50lbs), hamstring curls (20 lbs), and glute extensions (40 lbs). Coming to theatres soon, the return of QUADZILLA, mwuhahahaha.
Once running again, I cut my mileage back to the threshold of pain. Meaning, if the pain started at three miles...run ovaahhhh! It took over two weeks to build back to a five or six mile run. This took the most discipline (and the most cursing).
I dropped A LOT of F-Bombs. A LOTTTT. Very therapeutic. Try it sometime.

So, there ya have it. I'm back, b*tches. It was 70+ degrees in Greensboro yesterday (yep, it's March 5th), and I ran nearly 11 miles painfree. My fitness is working its way back, but I was able to average 7:00 and click off the final mile at 6:15 just for fun. And yes, my fingers, toes, and shoe laces are all crossed right now, and I'm knocking on some serious wood (<-- that sounds dirty :-O).

I'm not making any definite decisions on races yet, but I'm pretty sure I'd like to see what I can do in the half-marathon and then look towards a fall marathon. I'm weighing between going for a fast time and awesome experience at one of the world majors (Chicago!) or choosing one in which I can be competitive and go for the win. Unless I win Chicago. Bahahahaha. That's funny.

Outside of running, the past month has been great. Logan is now walking, which I LOVE. (Over-emotional Mom Alert -->) The excitement in his eyes with every step he takes is a great lesson in celebrating all our successes, whether big or small. He is also now saying "Mama", to which I get weak in the knees and swishy in the tummy (unless that's all the dairy?!). Mike and I have a great routine down now, and to all first-time moms in their first year that feel constantly out of control, I can say this: it gets soooo much better and easier! I promise. Trust me. I was a hot mess. Momzilla. Sobfest. I'm good now though. Right, Mike?!

Onward and upward!