Tuesday, July 27, 2010

It's Official - My Shins Hurt

They say that once your shins start hurting the first thing you need to do is find out why. I think I know why...too much too soon. You would think I would know better by now. At least I recognized it sooner than last time and they aren't that bad right now. I think I need to lay off the speed work for now and just go to my spin classes and do my long run on the week end.

Last week I took a day off of running during the week and then did my long run on Saturday. I ran 11 miles pain free. My shins were slightly sore afterwards only if I rubbed them. I had no pain while running my long run or walking afterwards. I felt fine and took rest days Sunday and Monday. This morning I went to the gym and proceeded to do my interval runs on the treadmill. After the second interval (1/2 mile) I started feeling pain in my shins. I decided to stop. I went home feeling disappointed...

I am not defeated though...I'm going to keep training to keep up my fitness. I will ride the bike and only do my long run this weekend. I will do some stretching exercises for my legs, use ice and hope for the best.

Thanks for all of the comments on my last post. I am hanging in there and listening to my body, it's telling me to slow down! I'd like to tell it to shut up, but I know that would only make matters worse...so, I'll be nice and give it a rest.

6 comments:

abbi said...

Sounds like the rest should help...hopefully it does. Before I started this round of training, I tried a few speed workouts. I hadn't ever done anything speed related before and had shin pain from them. I'm not doing any speed right now since I'm just looking to endurance right now.

Heather said...

Yeah, I think it was too much for me to be doing long runs and speed work after just getting back into running...I think if I just focus on the long run and cross train then I should be ok for now. (fingers crossed) Eventually, I can add my other runs back in.

mommaof3ontherun said...

Glad you are listening to your body!

Emz said...

This happened to me too. Tried doing too many hills too quickly. I have sensitive shins, lame huh?! ;)

Julie said...

You are smart to listen to your body. Giving your body and muscles the proper rest is key:) I hate sore shins...I have been there before too. Take care!

runningitoff1 said...

I agree rest should help. I've been struggling with a sore left hip, then thigh, then knee, all on the left leg! It's been an on and off week but after icing and rest, I'm feeling much better now. I figure it's more muscles I'm developing! I'm curious when I begin speed work what new aches I will get to experience!