Hi all.....
Looking for suggestions.
My last three AT hikes have all been cut very short with IT Band issues. After the first two hikes, each time-- I underwent physical therapy, rehab, and did a fair amount of training on that particular area. Followed my doc's advice to the letter. Took smaller strides, wore the straps around both knees, went downhill like a granny, use trekking poles, my base weight is under 15 pounds--and overall I'm in great shape for a 62 year old woman. Except for these freakin' IT bands. It is so frustrating.
My last hike lasted 8 miles. EIGHT miles. And after I had dropped $600 on a zpack duplex, lol! Some hikers I ran into in Damascus were encouraging me not to quit and sell all my stuff...."Never quit on a bad day". I tried last October to hike through the pain....gimped along for 27 very painful miles and it became very apparent there was no "just getting over" this.
I'm open to suggestions.
My plan now is to just drive to some trail heads at Shenandoah National Park (I'm in Richmond, VA), hike to a shelter, camp, and then hike back to the truck. At least it gets me out there, but daggone....I wanna do something more than an overnighter.
I just don't want to believe that "three strikes and you're out" applies to me.
Thanks in advance....