Now I have a new game plan. I'm going to lay off the running for a little bit and do some cross training like swimming and biking. That way my legs can get back in shape and stronger and I won't be putting so much stress on my IT bands. I'm also doing a lot of exercises to strengthen the muscles in my legs. Stretching and icing and using the foam roller are also contributing to my recovery.
I will get past this stupid ITBS issue I've been having. I finally just got sick of it and want my body back the way it use to be. I have ordered some IT straps that wrap around your thigh about 2 inches above the knee cap. They are suppose to keep the IT band from rubbing against the femur bone. I'm willing to try anything at this point. I know I'm making progress cause they don't bother me while I'm not running as where before, I had pain pretty much throughout the day. My body just needs some rest from the impact of running and I'm certain the exercises and cross training are exactly what I need.
I do worry a lot about falling behind in the training program. My team will be running 12 miles this Saturday and I already know I will not be able to make that. Well I could but it would put me so far back in my recovery. I do however consider myself grateful. I looked at the forum on Runnersworld.com and there were some runners on there that got ITBS about 2 weeks before their marathons. I would rather fall behind in the training right now when I still have a ways to go until the marathon than having all this happen two weeks before. I just have to take my time with this issue and realize this rest and the other above mentioned things are going to pay off come marathon time.