Aug. 2019 Finishing The Elkhorn Hurl Ultra
After running The New York Marathon in 2018 I wanted to train for an ultra-marathon, but change my training to maintain full range of motion in my legs. During The New York Marathon I was unable to make my goal time because my outer legs, knees to hips, became tight about 2/3 in. A combination of my nursing mind’s whole body approach to training, and my yoga body work training lead to a successful training routine and ultra-marathon outcome!
That tight, decreased range of motion, feeling was some IT band, some Q.L (Quadratus Lumborum), and some TFL (Tensor Fascia Lata).
IT Band – outer leg from knee to hip
QL – origin: iliac crest; insertion: 12th rib and L1-L4
TFL – origin: ASIA (anterior superior iliac spine = front hip); insertion: IT band
When you study body movement the connection between the back, hip, and knee become obvious. The TFL inserts at the IT Band and the QL connects to your back and hip, and is your lateral stabilizer. There are beautiful pictures of the muscles you can find on the internet or Pinterest. Notice where the muscles mentioned above originate and where they insert.
So, strengthening my QL and TFL became a big part of my training. I did several exercises to strengthen them almost every day. I was able to finish the ultra-marathon, here in Montana, in August of 2019. It was on trail with much more elevation gains and descends than New York, and I finished with positive splits and full range of motion. I even walked another mile to meet my husband for pick up. I felt great at the end!!
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Up Against The Ropes 