You might notice in my workout chart that as the week goes on the running comes to a complete stop. I’m officially side lined at the moment with left leg shin pain. The issue was brought on by ice skating not running. My shins were always a little sore after ice skating, but never as badly as when I started taking ice skating lessons. I’m not going to diagnose myself and declare I have shin splints because I really don’t know. I could walk with little pain and I could even run, but the pain after running scared me enough to finally cool it. I thought the elliptical was a reasonable solution, but then the discomfort began to bother me when I wasn’t working out. So I’m currently taking a break from everything.
Date |
Scheduled Workout |
Actual Workout |
Sunday, 4/15/12 | 3m with speed intervals, 15 minutes on elliptical |
|
Monday, 4/16/12 | 5 mile pace run | No workout. Went to Boston to cheer on the marathoners. |
Tuesday, 4/17/12 | 60 minute tempo run | 60 minute tempo run. 6 miles was done in about 1:01:30. I continued on and ran a total of 8 miles. |
Wednesday, 4/18/12 | Speed Training – 11 x 400 meters |
|
Thursday, 4/19/12 | Plyometrics | Rest Day |
Friday, 4/20/12 | 3m + strength |
|
Saturday, 4/21/12 | 12 mile run |
|
I’m trying to look at the bright side of things. I have 11 days until the half marathon in Vermont. I feel a marked decrease in discomfort today. I am listening to my body and hopefully doing the right things to ensure a speedy recovery.
I have stopped ice skating. I was disappointed to have to cut the lessons short, but I am 100% certain that it is what initiated the problem. I hope to return to the lessons next year because I really enjoyed them and learned a lot in just a few lessons.
As with my rib injury last fall I have reached out to my local herbalist. I’m taking a Complete Tissue & Bone supplement and a calcium supplement. I’m also drinking a mineral tea 2-3 times a day. I haven’t exercised since Saturday. Today is the first day I’ve felt a real improvement. I have had almost no pain. However, I am really feeling a strange apprehension toward running. I miss it a lot. I am anxious to start running again, but there is a whisper of a voice inside of me telling me to wait a few more days. So I’m going to listen to my body.
I plan to go to the gym in the morning while Carlos is at school. There are plenty of other activities I can do without aggravating my shin. Whenever I take time off from planned exercise it is difficult to get back into it. Losing momentum seems to make me lose motivation. I think just being back at the gym tomorrow will help my mood.
If the pain was increasing with the addition of my home remedies then I would make an appointment to see my doctor and have the leg X-rayed. My goal is to be active in the most healthy way possible. I do not intend on doing anything that will cause ongoing injury or additional injuries. I welcome any comments on shin injuries, shin pain or helpful treatments.
*I am not a doctor. I am writing about my personal experience. If you are experiencing pain, running related or other, you should seek medical attention.
ahhh, I am so sorry about your shin!!! That has to be soo dissapointing after all your training! I’m glad it is feeling slightly better … I have no experience in injuries, but I think listening to your body is a great way to handle it. Sending hugs your way!
I know you hate it, but it sounds smart to hold off a little. You are not going to get unfit in a few days. Now me, I have no idea how unfit I’ve gotten in the past weeks. I’ll probably find out tomorrow at the gym. I still can’t do most of the things I like best.
Very interesting about the herbalist.
🙂 Marion
I’d say rest is the way to go. You’re so close to your race that the time off isn’t going to hurt at all. Smart plan!
I hope you are feeling better soon! Injuries are the most aggravating to me because they disrupt my routine of going to the gym!
I agree with Marion, it’s better to listen to your body and take some time off. Ice skating is a demanding sport, I remember I had ankle issues when I was a teen and I just did it for fun.
Thanks for telling me that Satu. A lot of people have questioned me about ice skating being the cause of my issue. Actually the discomfort went from the ankle to the shin. I would like to try again next year but I will have to do some research on preventing the same problem from occurring.