On Shin Splints, Cardio, and Friends

My Wednesday run started out with long strides and big smiles, but finished in painful baby steps. I was properly hydrated. I warmed up purposefully. I stretched adequately. But, sometimes things don't always go according to plan.

Instead of my normal one mile loop around the neighborhood I decided I would head off in a random direction and when I reached the halfway mark in time I would turn around and come back. Sounds reasonable.

So I headed out, briskly walked the first four minutes, like I always do, then started my two minute run. But, things were different this time. I was feeling great! So great in fact that I actually found myself joyfully laughing at the prospect of maybe running through the next four minute song. When my two minute anthem wound down I decided to go for it. About three minutes into the song I was starting to fatigue and thought about walking. However, I pushed through the rest of the song and back into my two minute song. At the end of my eight minute surge I was feeling great! Finally, my conditioning was catching up, my shin splints weren't causing me any problems. I could almost see twelve months into the future when I crossed the finish line of my target marathon, it was all falling into place.

I got back into my normal walk four run two routine and when the halfway time mark came up I turned around. My mind was set on doing another eight minute surge. Nope! Like clockwork, a few steps after heading back my shins started throbbing with nearly unbearable pain. My hope of running back was in the past, and now I couldn't even walk at my normally brisk pace. So, I walked back, slowly, in pain, and late to a Bible study I was leading. A day that started off with victorious clamour was silenced by physical defeat. At this point the advice I had been given by everybody resounded louder than ever. I took the next two days off, exercised and stretched my shins, took some Ibuprofen, and looked towards my next run.

On Saturday I timorously drove to the local riverside running/biking path in the hopes of putting in four miles. With Wednesday's mishap still on my mind I had my doubts about running another straight line in fear that I would have to hobble back again. If it were not for the encouragement of a friend, who was running eleven miles on the same stretch, I probably wouldn't have gone. Turns out, no shin pains! I did however hit a wall with my cardio. This time there was no pushing my run through for eight minutes. This time I was glad I had chosen a great running song because thirty seconds into every two minute run I wanted to quit. With all that said, just finishing the four miles felt great!

My experiences over my last two runs were full of ups and downs, conquers and defeats, and all tied into these three important lessons.

1. Don't go it alone.

Having friends around that share an interest is invaluable. The motivation has been great, but gaining camaraderie was better still.

2. When somebody gives you sound advice, take it.

My shin splints have been a problem, but now I know more about the problem. I know I'm not entirely over them, but the amount of information (and now experience) I have learned will always be there when I need it.

3. There's more to running than running.

Until recently I kind of thought that running was all I had to do to be serious about running. But after a near cardio meltdown on Saturday, I'm searching for ways to cross train.

Thank you Allison and Elizabeth for the shared time after Saturday's run. What a perfect moment!

Thank you Bob and Tiffany for walking with me last Tuesday. That was a lot of fun! Let me know when you're going again.

Thank you everybody! I'm loving writing this blog! Please feel free to give feedback, and if this is your 3rd time here, please "follow" it (thanks Mom for being the first!). No reason to be shy! That type of thing goes a long way with motivating and supporting me. Love you all and stay tuned for more!