Shin Splints Part Three

I woke up this morning and my posterior tibialis muscles still hurt. A lot. I did that thing I should never do - searched the internet - and found some consistent information. If I keep putting stress on this muscle it could turn into or might already be tendonitis. If the condition worsens, my arches will fall. Lovely. The treatment is rest (no running), stretching and strengthening exercises, and possibly orthotics.

I have my PT (pain and torture) appointment this morning and I have decided I can't afford to keep going. My insurance doesn't fully cover it. Also, I am given exercises I can only do with their equipment in their office but I only go once a week. And maybe I have blinders on but no one really sat me down and said, you should stop running right now and do these exercises and you will get better. It was never cut and dry. Perhaps I'm just frustrated right now.

The realization that I've come to just now is that I should probably stop running for three weeks or so. I'm going on a mini-vacation this weekend and it doesn't look like there is a good place to run, anyway. Three weeks, however, is a long time. It's a painful decision. What if it doesn't work?

Another reason for the anxiety is the fact that running is the one thing I can do easily to lose weight. I am one of those people who easily gains weight and has to work really hard to lose it. I eat pretty healthy (except for the occasional ice cream) but only strenous exercise will cause the weight to come off. So three weeks with no running means I have to somehow fit in some type of cardio that will do the job. I am not very coordinated nor do I have any athletic prowess. Running is the one thing I can do. I guess I will try to see if I can fit in time at the gym to do the stationary bike or the elliptical (and try not to kill myself doing it).

I need to just keep telling myself that after three weeks, I should still be able to ease back into training for the half marathon. And if the rest and therapy doesn't work, I'm doing the half marathon and then figuring out what to do.

Wow that was cathartic. Now I can face my physical therapist this morning. I feel sorry for my staff at work, though. My mood alters tremendously when I can't run.