Training Resumes - Part 2

I started this yesterday before the kids went to bed. After I read to my six year old, I decided to lay down. I forgot all about this post. 2 hours later I woke up, took out my contacts and put on my PJs and went to bed. I was apparently tired!

I started the new season of MIT today with a 4 mile run. I was ecstatic, because I was able to run. I have been running for two weeks almost exclusively outside, and at a quicker pace than I am used to. Eventually, my legs just shut down and refused to allow me to run again.


On Sunday, I tried to do an easy 3 mile run - but it was extremely painful. It was so painful on my shins that I only ran 1 mile and walked two. I was very distressed at the time, but after thinking about it for a few days I realized it was a wake up call.


My legs were telling me I was pushing too hard, too fast. I wasn't used to running on blacktop more than once a week. I was also running faster than usual. It was fun while it lasted, but it couldn't last.


So this last week, zzzzzzzzzzz...............................

Addendum:
I didn't run at all. I did the elliptical machine and cross trained. I did PT almost every night. I iced every night. Turns out this was the right move. I was able to run the Saturday long run with much less pain. Granted it wasn't very far, but I didn't need to go far. And it wasn't very fast, but you are not supposed to go at race pace when you are in training and running your long run. I'm training to finish, not to get a certain time. If I can run the whole 26.2 miles, I'll be happy. Well, I'll probably be in serious pain and all, but I'll be happy!

I bought some more paraphernilia to help with my legs. We now have a Roadrunner Sports retail store here. I bought two shin splint compression wraps and an Ice-Up cup so that my ice won't fly across the room (which is what happens when it is in a paper cup and I'm rubbing it up and down my leg). I can take it to work, too, since it comes with its own little cooler! I used one of the wraps during my run (I thought two would look too dorky) and actually, that's the leg that hurt afterwards. But it's hard to tell if the wrap caused it or if my leg hurt anyway. I got some free advice from the Roadrunner Sports sales person - he suggested taking a water bottle and freezing it and then rubbing the bottom of my foot over it. Apparently the arch has something to do with my pain, too. I'll try anything now.

My plan is now to go back to the treadmill at least once a week, and substitute at least one run with the elliptical, until my legs feel better. I'll do one short weekday run outside on the trail, and then my long runs. That should get my legs more acclimated to the trail and give them time to heal, on their own terms.

Time for PT!

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma!

We are heading to the Youngstown area this weekend to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday. As you can see, she looks great and is in great health. I can only hope I look as great as she does at 90! I don't know her secret but wish I did!

We are all looking forward to coming to see her (and Mom and Dad, too, of course!).

I know it's still a few days away but we wanted to wish you a happy birthday Grandma! We love you!

The pain

I almost gave up today. Gave up running entirely. After my Saturday run I continued to have pretty severe shin pain. My legs were tight so I kept stretching and started doing my PT again. My coach recommended cutting down to three runs a week plus cross training with low impact cardio to allow my legs to heal.

Nevertheless, when I started to run on Monday I felt a painful twinge in my lower left leg, and then after a few minutes it loosened up to a bearable dull pain. Yesterday, I had a hard time going down and up stairs. My legs, particularly my inside lower legs, were very tight. They felt a little better today so I assumed that once I started running I would be ok. But I wasn't.

I managed to do about 3.5 miles on the downtown bike trail. It was a great day for a run - cool and breezy. Yet I was in so much pain that I started thinking about stopping running altogether. Forever. I can't do a marathon like this. I just can't.

My coach recommended stretching and more cross training. Doesn't look like I'll be doing a long run this weekend. I'm going out of town so I suppose it's no big deal. Maybe I've just been working too hard and need to cut back on some things.

I'll miss the first week of my summer MIT session. They've made some changes, according to an email I received this week. These two items, in particular, caught my eye:

• We have Asics on-board as a sponsor, which will allow us to give deep discounts on America's number 1 brand of running specialty gear at Fleet Feet. Other major manufacturers will also be featured in the discount program.
• We have agreed to have Panera host the Saturday workouts – which means free bagels for all of you after each Saturday workout.

I haven't decided to quit altogether. Yet. I've been here before. I can overcome it. I have to. Otherwise I just have to buy a decent bike. And decent bikes cost a lot more than running shoes!